K-12 Education
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations influencing the debate on education policy.
Featured Stories
Milwaukee Public Schools: Marvin Pratt School 'Significantly Exceeds Expectations' on Wisconsin State Report Card
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, Dec. 6 -- The Milwaukee Public Schools have issued the following news:
When Principal Janice Carter took the helm at Marvin Pratt Elementary School, the school was ranked in the bottom category on the Wisconsin State Report Card. Eight years later, the school has reached the top tier of the report and is rated as Significantly Exceeds Expectations. Milwaukee Public Schools congratulates the students, staff, and families at Pratt!
Carter has worked tirelessly to turn the school around and make it a place where students can achieve. When she accepted the role of principal,
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MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, Dec. 6 -- The Milwaukee Public Schools have issued the following news:
When Principal Janice Carter took the helm at Marvin Pratt Elementary School, the school was ranked in the bottom category on the Wisconsin State Report Card. Eight years later, the school has reached the top tier of the report and is rated as Significantly Exceeds Expectations. Milwaukee Public Schools congratulates the students, staff, and families at Pratt!
Carter has worked tirelessly to turn the school around and make it a place where students can achieve. When she accepted the role of principal,she immediately decided to make changes to the building and improve the climate in the school. Her husband, who attended Pratt as a child, visited with her and noted that the school appeared exactly the same as it did when he attended. Carter took that as motivation to upgrade the school and make it comfortable and welcoming.
Carter found motivation from many sources. "I have never attended a failing school," she said. "I wouldn't feel right without pushing it hard. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night." She named several mentors who inspired her and provided a vision to build the school into a success story.
Another goal was to change the mindset of the staff, students, and families, and to build accountability for test scores. She also implemented tactics for teachers to look at test results and use the information to increase knowledge and respond to student needs. Now, students and teachers understand how to leverage test scores into learning experiences and higher achievement.
Carter is also a proponent of school uniforms, believing that they reduce distractions. The majority of Pratt students wear uniforms daily. She tells students that when they get dressed every morning, they should think of themselves as coming to work. This type of thinking puts them in the frame of mind for learning.
Celebrations are also a regular part of school culture. Carter sees how students respond when they are rewarded for good attendance, being on time, and making improvements. Rewards range from pencils and stickers to recognition at school assemblies to special lunch events.
Parents are pleased with the school's progress and environment. A father of two students shared, "They have helped me understand what my kids need and how I can help them, including behavior. Being involved helps my children see that they have support."
Milwaukee Public Schools is proud of the efforts and hard work at Marvin Pratt Elementary School. Keep up the good work--we are all MPSProud!
Jackson Public Schools Announces Plan to Redesign Schools to Increase Equity and Support Districtwide Academic Excellence
JACKSON, Mississippi, Dec. 6 -- Jackson Public Schools issued the following news:
On Friday, December 6, Jackson Public Schools (JPS) released its three-year plan for school redesign throughout the district, which will expand the district's pre-kindergarten offerings, support the development of a world-class teaching and learning center, and generate cost savings that pave the way for long-term strategic investments.
The school redesign plan, entitled Optimizing for Equity, builds upon the district's five-year strategic action plan released earlier this year, which outlines five key commitments
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JACKSON, Mississippi, Dec. 6 -- Jackson Public Schools issued the following news:
On Friday, December 6, Jackson Public Schools (JPS) released its three-year plan for school redesign throughout the district, which will expand the district's pre-kindergarten offerings, support the development of a world-class teaching and learning center, and generate cost savings that pave the way for long-term strategic investments.
The school redesign plan, entitled Optimizing for Equity, builds upon the district's five-year strategic action plan released earlier this year, which outlines five key commitmentsthe district made to scholars and families that are guiding its decisions and actions. In addition, the district relied heavily on information gathered through its ongoing community engagement activities and data from a recent enrollment study conducted by Education Resource Strategies based in Cambridge, Massachusetts to inform the school redesign plan.
"We are confident this plan will enable us to redesign school offerings and improve opportunities for scholars to receive similar educational experiences regardless of their zip code," said Dr. Errick L. Greene, JPS superintendent. "As we emphasized in our strategic plan, we are fervently committed to providing each scholar in each school with equitable access to high-quality instruction, courses, and resources, and this school redesign plan brings us one step closer to delivering on that promise."
Community meetings to inform parents about the specific impact of the redesign plan for their scholar's school will be held starting Monday, December 9. The full school redesign plan will be presented to the JPS Board of Trustees for consideration as information only at its regular board meeting on December 17.
"This process is extremely exciting because this plan will make it possible to give all children what they need to learn, thrive, and succeed," said Letitia S. Johnson, president of the JPS Board of Trustees. "I believe this plan creates true equity throughout the entire district and enables us to maximize our resources in ways that will have long-term benefits for all of the scholars, families, and neighborhoods the district serves."
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About Jackson Public Schools
Jackson Public Schools (JPS) is the second-largest school district in Mississippi, serving nearly 24,000 scholars, serving more than 80 percent of school-aged children in the state's capital and only urban municipality. With a firm belief in the importance of equity, excellence, growth mindset, relationships, relevance, and positive and respectful cultures, JPS works to develop scholars through world-class learning experiences to attain an exceptional knowledge base, critical and relevant skill sets, and the necessary dispositions for great success.
California Charter Schools Association Endorses Public Preschool, K-12 and College Health and Safety Bond Act of 2020
SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 6 -- California Charter Schools Association issued the following news release:
Today the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) announced its endorsement of Proposition 13, an initiative on the March 2020 ballot that will provide $15 billion in critically needed modernization and construction funding for California's traditional and charter K-12 public schools, colleges and universities.
CCSA has long been a reliable partner with other education stakeholders to support increasing resources to our historically underfunded public education system. We have been
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SACRAMENTO, California, Dec. 6 -- California Charter Schools Association issued the following news release:
Today the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) announced its endorsement of Proposition 13, an initiative on the March 2020 ballot that will provide $15 billion in critically needed modernization and construction funding for California's traditional and charter K-12 public schools, colleges and universities.
CCSA has long been a reliable partner with other education stakeholders to support increasing resources to our historically underfunded public education system. We have beenan ally in the fight for securing adequate resources for all public school students in the past supporting Prop. 30, Prop. 55 and Measure EE in Los Angeles.
"Too many public school students in California attend schools in desperate need of upgrading and repair and other communities are in critical need of new facilities," said Myrna Castrejon, president and CEO, CCSA. "Research overwhelmingly confirms it is much more difficult for students to learn when their school facilities are inadequate and outdated. The vast majority of students disadvantaged by substandard school facilities come from low-income communities and are students of color, making this a critical issue in our shared fight for educational equity. We were proud to have been actively involved in crafting the legislation to place this initiative on the ballot, ensuring that a half billion dollars is committed to supporting California's non-profit charter public schools. We applaud Governor Newsom and the legislature for their leadership in placing this critical initiative on the ballot and are proud to support it."
On October 7, Governor Newsom signed AB 48, which authorizes the placement of a $15 billion school construction bond on the March 2020 ballot. If approved by a majority of voters, this measure would provide $9 billion of the total $15 billion for K-12 school facility needs, with the remaining $6 billion being divided evenly between community colleges, California State Universities, and the University of California system. $500 million is dedicated specifically for charter school projects.
Beyond the $500 million in dedicated charter school funds, the final version of AB 48 includes intent language that emphasizes the need for the Legislature to enact legislation in 2020 making the pending bond program a more cost-effective option for charter schools looking to develop facilities. The measure is comprised of 50 percent grants and 50 percent very low interest loans. Charter schools would be able to access state bond funding without also incurring unreasonable levels of debt.
Allegany County Public School District: Mountain Ridge Hosts NHS Induction Ceremony
CUMBERLAND, Maryland, Dec. 6 -- The Allegany County Public School District issued the following news:
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- School Organization Welcomes 70 New Members
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The Mountain Ridge High School Chapter of the National Honor Society recently held its induction ceremony for the 2019-2020 school year welcoming 70 new members to the organization.
The NHS recognizes juniors and seniors who display outstanding accomplishment in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Students who are inducted are required to have a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.
The ceremony was held in
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CUMBERLAND, Maryland, Dec. 6 -- The Allegany County Public School District issued the following news:
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- School Organization Welcomes 70 New Members
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The Mountain Ridge High School Chapter of the National Honor Society recently held its induction ceremony for the 2019-2020 school year welcoming 70 new members to the organization.
The NHS recognizes juniors and seniors who display outstanding accomplishment in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Students who are inducted are required to have a grade point average of 3.7 or higher.
The ceremony was held inthe school's auditorium under the direction of advisers Mrs. Vicki Hoover, Mr. Todd Logsdon, and Dr. Matthew Ravenscroft. The program opened with a processional played by Claire Raesly, followed by the National Anthem, sung by Brielle Windle. Mr. James Pyles, Director of the Department of Emergency Services for Allegany County, served as a guest speaker. Interim Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Jeff Blank, Principal Mr. Danny Carter, and Assistant Principals Mr. Bo Evans and Mrs. Katherine Loughrie, all spoke during the ceremony. Four candles representing each characteristic of the NHS were lit by officers Kristen Smith, president, scholarship; Hana Chitsaz, vice-president, service; Anthony Schena, secretary, leadership; and Salee Blank, treasurer, character.
The following students were inducted into the honor society: Makayla Alexander, Christopher Apuzzo, Reillee Beeman, Zoey Blank, Brayden Bowman, Tristen Brehm, Allison Carey, Kennedy Cesnick, Sarah Chapman, Brianna Cline, Zaden Conway, Lindsay Crowe, Anna Cullen, Abby Derham, Erin Derham, Brooke Eauclaire, Sophia Edwards, Mackenzie Fetters, Cassandra Frankenberry, Jordyn Fuller, Kayla Gomez, Ella Hoffman, Tesse Hoppe, Sydney Hotchkiss, Nathan Howard, Jacob Hutzell, Avery Jacobs, Rachel Jones, Tyler Kesner, Gavin Kinnie, Megan Kline, Emily Lease, Abigail Lent, Gwendolyn Lent, Kaeli Leptic, Connor Lewis, Emily Liller, Gracie Lindner, Devin Lissau, Dustin MacDonald, Elizabeth Marchbank, Jeffrey McKenzie, Adria McMillan, Ashley Michaels, Reagan Miller, Thomas Miller, Lara Monahan, Grace Mowery, Annika Murphy, Jordan Nolan, Joseph Oyer, Jarrett Pennington, Daniel Ravenscroft, Joshua Ravenscroft, Dalton Reed, Kaleb Richards, Karissa Robertson, Neelesh Singh, Quinn Stark, Paige Swisher, Dawson Ternent, Makayla Thomas, Bailie Warnick, Madison Werner, Hayley Wiegand, Danielle Wildesen, McKenzie Williams, Brielle Windle, Nathan Worgan, Courtney Yaeger.
The following senior NHS members were also in attendance: Katherine Baker, Alyvia Biser, Salee Blank, Kassidy Bothwell, Kyleigh Bothwell, McKenna Bowman, Trenton Buskirk, Emily Carbaugh, Madison Cesnick, Hana Chitsaz, Chase Connor, Krystal Delawder, Evard DeMott, Maria Diaz, Abigail Duncan, Chase Fearon, Dawson Hormuth, Taylor Howell, Kerry Jenkins, Lily Johnson, Michelle Kight, Sean Kline, Dayna Lashley, Kailey Leith, Lena Maffley, Alyvia Mazer, Miah McKenzie, Paige Miller, Emily Montgomery, Donna Morgan, Hannah Muir, Olivia Ours, Madison Paris, Hayley Robinette, Abigail Rose, Anthony Schena, Julia Seddon, Kristen Smith, Peyton Smith, Samantha Snyder, Devon Spiker, Savannah Turner, Mason Warner, Michael Warnick, Hayley Weddle, Jack Weston, Kailee Wilson, and Isaac Winfield.
Four BCPS High Schools Certified as One Love Champions for Promoting Healthy Relationships
TOWSON, Maryland, Dec. 5 -- Baltimore County Public Schools issued the following news release:
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- Dulaney, Hereford, Overlea, Towson high schools honored with accreditation
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The One Love Foundation has certified Dulaney, Hereford, Overlea, and Towson high schools as Champion Schools in recognition of their commitment, during the 2018-2019 school year, to healthy relationship education.
One Love, a national nonprofit, provides relationship health education through workshops, curriculum, and peer-to-peer discussions. Each school implements One Love in its own way.
In addition to monthly
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TOWSON, Maryland, Dec. 5 -- Baltimore County Public Schools issued the following news release:
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- Dulaney, Hereford, Overlea, Towson high schools honored with accreditation
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The One Love Foundation has certified Dulaney, Hereford, Overlea, and Towson high schools as Champion Schools in recognition of their commitment, during the 2018-2019 school year, to healthy relationship education.
One Love, a national nonprofit, provides relationship health education through workshops, curriculum, and peer-to-peer discussions. Each school implements One Love in its own way.
In addition to monthlymeetings, last school year, the Dulaney High One Love Club hosted a fundraising night at Chipotle, raised funds through selling Dulaney One Love merchandise, handed out Candy Grams to support loving oneself, hosted a workshop with Grace Carmichael (The One Love Foundation's engagement manager), and led a Yards for Yeardley walk.
The One Love Club at Hereford High started the 2018-19 school year by participating in the Baltimore Running Festival. At Halloween, in collaboration with the House of Ruth Maryland, the students made dinner for House of Ruth clients and made crafts with them. For the winter holidays, the club adopted families from the House of Ruth and held a gift drive to provide them with presents. The club held a dinner and performance fundraiser in collaboration with The Moving Company Dance Center. Proceeds from the event benefited the One Love Foundation. In addition to conducting escalation workshops, the club presented age-appropriate workshops at Hereford Middle School. Members of the club were also interviewed by WMAR-TV about their efforts to promote healthier teen dating.
Overlea High, a health sciences magnet school, used One Love curriculum to reach students in Grades 9 - 12 in their science classes. At the end of the year, a weeklong One Love celebration featured daily morning announcements and One Love discussion circles in all classes.
Towson High, has an active One Love Club, which now has 85 members. Last school year, the club held a winter coat drive for the House of Ruth and welcomed a forensic nurse from GBMC's Safe Program who spoke about domestic violence, sexual assault, and early warning signs. The Towson club partnered with the One Love Club at Hereford to host a One Love dedication game, when the two schools played against each other in lacrosse. As fans entered the game, they encountered a One Love booth from which students shared information about healthy relationships. A raffle at the game (to win One Love t-shirts) raised $425 for the One Love Foundation. Beyond the club, Towson High used One Love curriculum in all Grade 11 health classes.
"Our Champion schools are showing the impact that deep engagement around the topic of healthy relationships can have on a school community," said One Love Chief Program Officer Megan Shackleton. "It is our honor to recognize their commitment, and we are proud to continue to support these schools in their efforts to create healthier and safer communities."
One Love was founded in honor of Yeardley Love, a senior at the University of Virginia, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. The family learned during the trial that her death could have been prevented had they recognized the signs of an abusive relationship. They founded One Love to educate and empower young people about the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Fairfax County Public Schools: TJHSST Japanese Teacher Named 2019 Teacher of the Year by AATJ
FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Dec. 5 -- Fairfax County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Koji Otani, who teaches Japanese at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), has been named the 2019 K-12 Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ).
Otani, who has worked for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) since 1998, was recognized for quality and innovative teaching, service to the profession and to the community, participation in professional development activities, and advocacy for the program and Japanese language education.
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FALLS CHURCH, Virginia, Dec. 5 -- Fairfax County Public Schools issued the following news release:
Koji Otani, who teaches Japanese at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), has been named the 2019 K-12 Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ).
Otani, who has worked for Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) since 1998, was recognized for quality and innovative teaching, service to the profession and to the community, participation in professional development activities, and advocacy for the program and Japanese language education.He began teaching in the Japanese immersion program at Floris Elementary School, then was named lead teacher. In 2006, he joined the staff at TJHSST, where he teaches Japanese 1, 2, 3, Advanced Placement, and 5.
As a professional educator, Otani has been a member of the SAT Japanese Exam Development Committee, an instructor in the Virginia Governor's Japanese Language Academy, an Advanced Placement (AP) reader for the AP Japanese and Culture exam, co-chair of the AP Japanese and Culture Development Committee, an advisor to the Japanese Language Education Advocacy and Resource Network, a judge and evaluator of George Washington University's J-Live Talk speech contest, and a member of the Junior Japan Bowl Development Committee.
He has written articles and given lectures, presentations, and reports related to teaching the Japanese language.
Otani earned a master's degree in K-5 education from the University of Florida and earned a K-12 Japanese education endorsement from the Virginia Department of Education in 2009.
Atlanta Public Schools: Peach Bowl, Inc. Having Significant Impact on Atlanta Students
ATLANTA, Georgia, Dec. 5 -- Atlanta Public Schools issued the following news release:
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- The Peach Bowl's support of Atlanta Public Schools is improving literacy rates, grades and graduation rates, and helping to pay for college
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Peach Bowl, Inc. programs supporting Atlanta Public School students have dramatically improved early childhood literacy rates, high school GPAs and graduation rates and have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships.
"We are deeply committed to the long-term success of our students and we want to give them every advantage we can along
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ATLANTA, Georgia, Dec. 5 -- Atlanta Public Schools issued the following news release:
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- The Peach Bowl's support of Atlanta Public Schools is improving literacy rates, grades and graduation rates, and helping to pay for college
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Peach Bowl, Inc. programs supporting Atlanta Public School students have dramatically improved early childhood literacy rates, high school GPAs and graduation rates and have provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships.
"We are deeply committed to the long-term success of our students and we want to give them every advantage we can alongtheir journey," said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. "Our bowl game was created to give. And through this giving, we have already seen a tremendous positive impact on elementary and high schools students and for the amount of scholarships we are able to generate."
Driven by a mission to support its community, Peach Bowl, Inc. has invested in the future of Atlanta's students by providing critical programs to meet students' needs at all levels through its creation of a childhood literacy initiative, along with its academic mentoring and endowed scholarship programs.
"Our long-standing partnership with the Peach Bowl has truly been a game changer for our students," said Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Meria Carstarphen. "The Bowl has enhanced the educational experience of thousands of Atlanta students over the years. We're extremely grateful for their commitment to impacting these students' lives all the way from their early years through the time they graduate and attend college."
Early Childhood Literacy Initiative
The Peach Bowl, in partnership with the Chick-fil-A Foundation, the College Football Playoff Foundation and the Atlanta Football Host Committee, invested $2 million to create a three-year literacy training initiative designed to equip teachers with the necessary skills to ensure Atlanta's children can learn to read proficiently.
Research has shown that students who do not read proficiently by the end of the third grade are four times more likely to leave school without a diploma. That is why improving childhood literacy has become a key initiative in the APS transformation plan.
The training focuses on the Orton-Gillingham (O-G) approach to literacy. The O-G technique is scientifically proven to enhance reading proficiency for all learners using instruction in sight, hearing, touch and movement to help students connect language with letters and words. The goal of the training is to ensure all teachers feel comfortable teaching foundational early learning literacy skills to students including phonemic awareness, vocabulary, phonics and fluency.
In the 2016 school year, 58 percent of grade 3-5 students were reading at or above grade level, based on Lexile scores on Georgia Milestones. This increased to 61 percent by the 2019 Milestones assessment.
"The O-G training has provided a structure that was desperately needed to meet the needs of our students," said Benteen Elementary teacher Kelsey McCorckle.
"The O-G approach is a game changer," said Beecher Hills Elementary School teacher Rosalind B. Carbo. "I was suddenly given the tools needed to be able to effectively teach some of the most struggling readers to become fluent readers."
To date, 1,200 teachers have been trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to reading instruction with the goal of 1,500 APS teachers being trained through the end of next year. By 2020, more than 25,000 APS elementary students will have been impacted by the initiative.
Academic Mentoring Program
In 2007, Peach Bowl, Inc. instituted an academic mentoring program to help give APS students the tools they need to graduate and attend college. The mentoring program focuses on student-athletes at every Atlanta Public High School, and provides them an "academic coach" who maximizes each student's personal potential by helping them improve study habits, prepare for SAT and ACT testing, become active in their communities, and apply and transition to college.
During the past academic year, the 607 students involved in the program achieved a grade-point average that was 12.5 percent higher than that of their classmates.
"I have seen first-hand how the program has changed the lives of our student-athletes," said academic coach Matthew Hazel. "The additional resources it provides is often the difference in a student graduating from high school and preparing them for the rest of their lives."
To date, Peach Bowl, Inc. has donated more than $2 million to the program and is the only organization in the nation to fully fund a program like this for an entire school district.
Endowed Scholarship Program
Peach Bowl, Inc. has also made a strong commitment to helping Atlanta students further their secondary education through its Endowed Scholarship Program. The program currently operates scholarships that carry the Peach Bowl name at 32 universities with invested assets totaling more than $6.9 million. In 2018-19, the Endowed Scholarship Program distributed $141,019 in scholarship money to 17 students who graduated from Atlanta Public High Schools, an average of more than $8,000 per student.
Recent LSU graduate Chloe Tillis was born in New Orleans and always dreamed of attending LSU, but when her family relocated to Atlanta, the oldest child in a single-parent home needed assistance financing an out-of-state education.
"This scholarship has given me the ability to offset some of my educational expenses," Tillis said. "Without this scholarship it would have been difficult to find some of the necessary money needed to finance my education, especially coming from a single-parent home."
In the last seven years, APS students have received more than $637,000 in scholarship dollars from the Peach Bowl's endowed scholarship program. Since the program's inception $1.1 million in scholarship has been distributed to students from the metro Atlanta area.
These three programs for APS, along with several other philanthropic initiatives in the community, have helped Peach, Bowl Inc. become college football's most charitable bowl organization. In the last 17 years, the Peach Bowl has donated $53.8 million to organizations in need.
"Of all that we do, these initiatives are the things of which we are most proud," Stokan said. "This is how we measure our success."
Learn more about the Peach Bowl, Inc.-Atlanta Public Schools partnership here (http://www.chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/2019/12/05/peach-bowl-inc-having-significant-impact-on-atlanta-students/).
