K-12 Education
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations influencing the debate on education policy.
Featured Stories
Survey Results Show That 95% of Families Rate Their Experience With the Enrollment Application Process 'Good' or 'Very Good'
NEWARK, New Jersey, April 20 -- Newark Public Schools issued the following news release:
Today, Newark Public Schools (NPS) released results from nearly 1800 post-application surveys taken by parents of Newark students participating in the Newark Enrolls process. The survey asked parents to rate their experience with the application process, to share information about how they learned about the process, and to share information about their preferences. 95% of those surveyed shared that they found their experience with the enrollment process 'good' or 'very good,' and 96% said they found the application
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NEWARK, New Jersey, April 20 -- Newark Public Schools issued the following news release:
Today, Newark Public Schools (NPS) released results from nearly 1800 post-application surveys taken by parents of Newark students participating in the Newark Enrolls process. The survey asked parents to rate their experience with the application process, to share information about how they learned about the process, and to share information about their preferences. 95% of those surveyed shared that they found their experience with the enrollment process 'good' or 'very good,' and 96% said they found the application'easy' or 'very easy' to navigate.
"While the district has made improvements in recent years, it is important for us to be more transparent than ever about the data we collect during the enrollment process." said Interim Superintendent Robert Gregory. "I am encouraged by this parent feedback, and remain committed to examining the strengths and weaknesses of all of our existing policies, processes, and systems as we transition back to local control. We are sharing these results today to further inform that conversation."
Data about where parents live shows that families who responded appear to be equally represented from wards across Newark. In addition to aggregated survey data, the district is also releasing approximately 800 written survey responses (un-edited with redactions to protect individual identification), so the public can see directly what parents are saying about their experience. Survey data and written responses are available for review.
"Our goal as a district is to make enrolling in a school as easy as possible for parents, while ensuring that there is a neutral set of rules to ensure the process is fair and equitable for everyone," added Gabrielle Ramos-Solomon, Chief of School Planning, Enrollment and Family Supports at Newark Public Schools. "These results show us that the vast majority of families who participate in the enrollment process find the application easy to navigate and are rating their experience high."
The survey results come after the district has made a number of improvements to the process in recent years to make it more family friendly. These include releasing a video that explains how the process works, creating a Family Enrollment Portal to give parents the ability to directly address concerns they may have after the initial school match is made, and a number of policy changes in response to parental feedback, including full neighborhood preference.
These results also add to information released in a study last week out of Columbia University that analyzes enrollment data and shares key takeaways for the Newark community to consider.
Families awaiting their match results will be able to access them after 12:00pm on Friday, April 20th at http://www.NewarkEnrolls.org
Northeast Charter Schools Network Issues Statement on Democratic Appropriations 'Flip-Flop'
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, April 20 -- The Northeast Charter Schools Network issued the following statement by Policy Manager Chris Pacileo:
The Northeast Charter Schools Network today sent the following statement in response to the recently released Democratic Appropriations budget proposal, which cuts public charter school funding by $1.2 million. The proposal would cut the bipartisan approved budget, which included a much-needed increase to $11,250 per-pupil for charter schools, to $11,125. This follows four years of flat funding.
"Democrats have proposed a measure that would slash critically-needed,
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NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, April 20 -- The Northeast Charter Schools Network issued the following statement by Policy Manager Chris Pacileo:
The Northeast Charter Schools Network today sent the following statement in response to the recently released Democratic Appropriations budget proposal, which cuts public charter school funding by $1.2 million. The proposal would cut the bipartisan approved budget, which included a much-needed increase to $11,250 per-pupil for charter schools, to $11,125. This follows four years of flat funding.
"Democrats have proposed a measure that would slash critically-needed,bipartisan approved funding for our state's public charter schools. This 'flip-flop' is not only unfair, it would also cause undue harm to schools that are proven to work for some of our state's most vulnerable communities.
"Just days ago, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and other lawmakers joined us in Hartford for Charter Awareness Day, challenging legislators to protect charters and invest in what is working. Fortunately, the Republican budget proposal does protect public charter school children by maintaining the $11,250, and we are grateful for this support for public charter kids and families. We hope Democrats hear the calls of many of their constituents to protect the schools their children love."
Liliet Council: 'Believing in Me Made All the Difference'
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
Liliet Council did not expect to win Northeast Teacher of the Year. During her interview, she was asked what she's passionate about.
"I talked about my colleagues and the financial struggles that we have," she said. "I mentioned that it would be nice to not have to have a second job. I spoke truthfully. This is a wonderful profession. But it would be nice if people could feel confident that after getting a good education and making personal sacrifices to educate students, you could handle your personal
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
Liliet Council did not expect to win Northeast Teacher of the Year. During her interview, she was asked what she's passionate about.
"I talked about my colleagues and the financial struggles that we have," she said. "I mentioned that it would be nice to not have to have a second job. I spoke truthfully. This is a wonderful profession. But it would be nice if people could feel confident that after getting a good education and making personal sacrifices to educate students, you could handle your personallife."
After her interview, Council had second thoughts. She texted a friend to say she thought she blew her interview. She was wrong. A few weeks later, Dr. Steve Esposito surprised the Hidden Valley Elementary media specialist with the news.
"I was teaching a group of third-graders about authors and how they too can be authors or illustrators," she said. "It was a truly surreal moment. My father passed away in 2006. He was an avid reader and a big supporter of education. For many years, I felt guilty because my education cost quite a bit of money. I feel like now it is worth it."
Education is in Council's blood. Her late maternal grandfather was a principal in the Adelephi Village in Guyana. The New York native earned her bachelor's degree from Spelman College and two master's degrees: one from Cambridge College and one from Emory University.
Principal Michael Lungarini said Council deserved to be recognized.
"Liliet has true love for the children and families of Hidden Valley," he said. "She is energetic and her smile is contagious. She is always trying to integrate technology into her lessons. She is innovative in securing funding and providing resources for our students. She is a tremendous asset to Hidden Valley, as her leadership and commitment is shared throughout the building."
Council began her teaching career at a private school in New York. She moved to Charlotte and accepted the position at Hidden Valley in 2007. She was inspired to teach by her mother, Brenda Griffith, and her fourth-grade teacher, Rhoda Brauner.
"She made me the lead in the fourth grade play and that really changed my life," said Council. "She went to bat for me at a time when some people were not necessarily happy that an African-American student was chosen. She believed in me and it made all the difference."
Council still keeps in touch with Brauner.
Some of Council's friends questioned her decision to get a library teacher master's degree in today's technology driven world.
"Every teacher has to grow and roll with the times and technologies," she said. "I have my love for books and literature and incorporate technology into that. I believe we are preparing students for jobs that do not exist yet. My position is unique because we are using so many models of teaching to get our students to love reading and the process of learning."
Council was thrilled to realize that several other special area teachers are nominated for district teacher of the year. "I am truly excited that we are being recognized," she said. "The arts and music and special areas are places that students are able to truly find their love and passion. Where that passion lies, their success will come."
Jahara Davis: 'Literature Speaks to You'
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
In January of 2017, Jahara Davis made a vision board for herself. One goal was to be named teacher of the year. Her vision became reality in April of 2018 when she was named the Project L.I.F.T. Learning Community Teacher of the Year.
The West Charlotte High language arts teacher was standing in a chair, writing vocabulary words, when a group of her colleagues came in to tell her that she'd won.
"I had a tack in my hand and a tack in my mouth," she said. "I was blasting music. When I saw all these
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
In January of 2017, Jahara Davis made a vision board for herself. One goal was to be named teacher of the year. Her vision became reality in April of 2018 when she was named the Project L.I.F.T. Learning Community Teacher of the Year.
The West Charlotte High language arts teacher was standing in a chair, writing vocabulary words, when a group of her colleagues came in to tell her that she'd won.
"I had a tack in my hand and a tack in my mouth," she said. "I was blasting music. When I saw all thesepeople come in, I thought it was a nice way of telling me to turn my music down. I was truly caught off guard."
When Davis made her vision board, she was teaching at E.E. Smith High School in Cumberland County.
"I was a lateral entry teacher, so I wasn't even eligible for teacher of the year," she said. "But it was something I dreamed of. So I wrote it down."
After a difficult divorce, Davis moved to Charlotte. Until November, she was commuting from Fayetteville trying to find stable housing.
"I have two young children, I needed the additional income and I knew Charlotte would be a good place to be," she said. "I didn't know anyone here. I had to step out on faith."
Davis' recognition was celebrated by her current and former students.
"We turned the music back up and danced together. We had a new student and I had to explain to her not every day is like this." Davis soon began receiving congratulations from her former students through social media.
Davis' father was in the United States Army for 27 years. She was born in Germany and grew up in Fort Bragg, N.C. Her love of reading and literature developed at an early age. She graduated from North Carolina Central University with a degree in English literature.
"Literature speaks to you in a way that nothing else can," she said. "The expression of words is simply beautiful."
While her love of her literature came at an early age, the desire to teach did not.
"Since I was a little girl, I've always loved to read," she said. "I never wanted to be a teacher. My mother and grandmother were teachers and I did not want to do the same thing."
She went to college with the intention of being a lawyer. After graduation, she moved in with her mother in Tennessee. While she was trying to figure out what to do, her mom suggested that she take a substitute teaching job. And that settled that.
"It took one day for me to realize this is what I was supposed to be doing," said Davis. "The first day, it hit me. This is what I want to do the rest of my life."
Today, Davis calls her class the University of Ninth Grade and she calls her students the Davis Deans.
"We are going to college," she said. "I don't want to hear any excuses. We are going."
Davis will need to update her vision board soon. And she has a new goal.
"I think it's time to add a principalship," she said.
Desmond Blackett: 'Students Are My Trophies'
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
Demond Blackett carries a letter with him at all times. It was written by an undocumented student who struggled with immigration and academic issues. Blackett helped him get on track and apply for college scholarships.
"You single-handedly allowed me to find my passion and find myself," the student wrote. "Thank you for giving me to the tools I need to chase the paths of success."
"That letter means the world to me," said Blackett. "For a student to take the time to write me that letter lets me know
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
Demond Blackett carries a letter with him at all times. It was written by an undocumented student who struggled with immigration and academic issues. Blackett helped him get on track and apply for college scholarships.
"You single-handedly allowed me to find my passion and find myself," the student wrote. "Thank you for giving me to the tools I need to chase the paths of success."
"That letter means the world to me," said Blackett. "For a student to take the time to write me that letter lets me knowthat I am on the right path. It lets me know the work I am doing makes a difference."
That work was recently recognized Blackett, the Olympic High career and technical education teacher was named South Learning Community Teacher of the Year. Blackett is still reeling from the announcement.
"I don't work for trophies," he said. "Students are my trophies. Parents have trusted me to give my students the very best. I want them to leave here with an understanding of financial literacy. I want them to know how to spend within their means. We have a motto in my classroom. #noblackettleftbehind. If a student wants to succeed, I will help find the resources to do it."
Blackett grew up in New York and faced his own challenges as a student. He lost his mother at the age of eight and his father at the age of 15. "When you really look at everything, I shouldn't be here today," he said. "I really am the cliche of life giving you lemons and making lemonade. And now I am able to share those experiences with my students and help them overcome their own challenges."
Even as a high school student, Blackett found himself drawn to helping younger students. He mentored and tutored them. "Everyone told me that I was gifted in helping kids," he said. "I said, 'Oh, that's nice. But I am going to be an accountant.'"
Blackett graduated from Hampton University with a degree in accounting and took a corporate financial accounting job in Charlotte for almost 10 years. He tutored children in his free time. After accepting a promotion at his corporate job, he saw on the news that CMS was looking for teachers. "I think teaching found me," he said. "I just had this feeling deep in my soul that it was time for me to make a change and that I belonged in the classroom. CMS made the lateral transition very easy and helped me to unlock something that was already in me."
Blackett's daughter, Khayla, graduated from Olympic and is now a sophomore at Indiana University. She received more than 51 scholarship for college. Blackett and his wife, Tamara, are getting ready to start their daughter Christina, four, at Elizabeth Traditional Elementary this fall.
Since the news of his teacher of the year honors was posted on the district's Facebook page, Blackett has been hearing congratulations from former and current students alike.
A current student showed up in his classroom with a congratulatory cake. "That meant a lot because I have been working with this young woman and her grandmother to turn their baking into a business," said Blackett. "I have even been a customer myself."
A few days after the announcement, the front office called Blackett to say he had a visitor. It was a former student now working in Tega Cay who wanted to come congratulate Blackett in person. "He said he appreciated me for helping him to stay in school when everyone else doubted me. I gave him the tools he needed to go out into the world and make something out of himself and be sustainable."
A Protected Way to Report Bullying
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
As part of its wide-ranging effort to prevent bullying, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools launched a new digital platform April 20 that allows anonymous reporting. The platform, accessible on each school's website as well as the district's home page, offers a user-friendly way for students, staff and the public to report bullying concerns.
The anonymous reporting is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools initiative to prevent bullying by encouraging students to "Stand Up and Speak Out." The CMS program
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, April 20 -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools issued the following news:
As part of its wide-ranging effort to prevent bullying, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools launched a new digital platform April 20 that allows anonymous reporting. The platform, accessible on each school's website as well as the district's home page, offers a user-friendly way for students, staff and the public to report bullying concerns.
The anonymous reporting is part of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools initiative to prevent bullying by encouraging students to "Stand Up and Speak Out." The CMS programhas been used as a model by other school districts.
At a media briefing to announce the platform's launch, Dr. Clayton Wilcox, superintendent of CMS, said that the district has an obligation to prevent bullying and to provide avenues to report it when it happens.
"Our kids need us to support them - not just academically but in their mental and physical health too," he said. "Bullying by anyone, anywhere in CMS will not be tolerated. We want people to stand up and say, 'This is not acceptable.' Bullying affects schools far more than we realize."
Dr. Wilcox was joined by Dr. Cotrane Penn, the executive director of student services.
"We know bullying is a pervasive challenge," Dr. Penn said. "There are lots of domino effects of bullying." She said that bullying doesn't just damage the victim; those who observe it are also affected by it. The new platform provides complete anonymity for anyone who wants to remain anonymous, she said, removing some of the fear and risk associated with reporting bullying.
"The anonymous-reporting platform is simple but it does include the critical questions that will allow thoughtful reflection and documentation," said John Concelman, the district's bullying-prevention specialist. "It is truly anonymous. If the person reporting wishes to identify themselves, there is a place on the digital form for that, but it's optional."
Concelman said that he will review each report and determine what action needs to be taken.
"Our experiences in working with students across the district have shown us that students want to stand up and speak out but sometimes are afraid that it will go wrong," he said. "In addition, students and families sometimes don't know who to go to, or fear that reporting will make them a target or be labeled a tattletale."
The new platform extends the district's commitment to making all schools safe and welcoming, said Dr. Clayton Wilcox, superintendent.
"We are absolutely committed to student safety and peace of mind when they're in school," Wilcox said. "The ability to report without fear of reprisal is an important part of protecting all students and families." He also said that he gets two to three calls each week from parents with bullying concerns.
Once the program is well established, reports will be received at the school level by the principal or a designee, Concelman said, and the reports will also be sent to him to quickly offer support for school-level interventions. Principals received training and information about the new platform early in March.
Questions about the new platform can be directed to preventbullying@cms.k12.nc.us.
100 Newark Public School Students - 35 Schools Put Their Science Projects to the Test Newark's District Wide STEM Fair Showcase
NEWARK, New Jersey, April 20 -- Newark Public Schools issued the following news release:
More than 100 Newark Public Schools students from 35 schools developed, displayed and discussed their STEM projects at New Jersey's largest school district's STEM Fair. This is the first district-wide STEM Fair. The Fair was held at the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University.
"The STEM Fair was an extraordinary display of science and technology created by gifted students of Newark Public Schools," said Robert Gregory, Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. "I commend Ivory Williams, Special
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NEWARK, New Jersey, April 20 -- Newark Public Schools issued the following news release:
More than 100 Newark Public Schools students from 35 schools developed, displayed and discussed their STEM projects at New Jersey's largest school district's STEM Fair. This is the first district-wide STEM Fair. The Fair was held at the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University.
"The STEM Fair was an extraordinary display of science and technology created by gifted students of Newark Public Schools," said Robert Gregory, Interim Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. "I commend Ivory Williams, SpecialAssistant for Science and her staff for engaging our students in an educational and exciting journey into the future - investing in the STEM curriculum and students today will produce our nation's science and technology leaders of tomorrow."
This year marks the largest collaborative effort for the STEM FAIR with Rutgers Newark Graduate School, The Chad School Foundation, Newark STEAM Coalition, Discovery Education and Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ.
Ms. Williams added, "The STEM Fair presents one of the most challenging and exciting opportunities for students to showcase their passion for science and technology. It also prepares our students for STEM WEEK - the week of June 4, when we will visit schools showcasing their STEM projects. Ms. Williams also indicated that the STEM Fair recognized winners in Grades 3 - 5, 6-8 and 9 - 12.
View winners list here (http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/press-releases/100-newark-public-school-students-35-schools-put-their-science-projects-to-the-test-newarks-district-wide-stem-fair-showcase/)
