School Reform News
The Heartland Institute's monthly outreach publication for the national movement for greater competition and choice in K-12 schooling.
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School Reform News
October 2005
'Direct Instruction' Narrows Wisconsin's Achievement Gap
A new report shows that "direct instruction" (DI), a teaching method relying heavily on phonics and repetition, has helped raise reading and math scores, ... (read more)
A new report shows that "direct instruction" (DI), a teaching method relying heavily on phonics and repetition, has helped raise reading and math scores, ... (read more)
'Suspicious' Accounting Error Leads Illinois School District to Seek Tax Cut
Last November, after Huntley, Illinois narrowly passed a referendum raising taxes to support four new schools in District 158 (D-158), a certified public ... (read more)
Last November, after Huntley, Illinois narrowly passed a referendum raising taxes to support four new schools in District 158 (D-158), a certified public ... (read more)
Alternative Principal Programs Gain Ground
This summer, former Massachusetts state legislator Mark Roosevelt got a new job in the private sector. The long, contentious approval process was colored ... (read more)
This summer, former Massachusetts state legislator Mark Roosevelt got a new job in the private sector. The long, contentious approval process was colored ... (read more)
Alternative Programs Commended
The U.S. Department of Education in August commended six alternative administration programs for their effectiveness, in the report Innovations in Education: ... (read more)
The U.S. Department of Education in August commended six alternative administration programs for their effectiveness, in the report Innovations in Education: ... (read more)
Early Intervention Program Aims to Keep Kids out of Special Ed
A Colorado Springs, Colorado school district is implementing a pilot program to address one of the greatest challenges classroom teachers face: meeting ... (read more)
A Colorado Springs, Colorado school district is implementing a pilot program to address one of the greatest challenges classroom teachers face: meeting ... (read more)
Education Highlighted at ALEC Annual Meeting
Education policy topped the agenda at the 32nd annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Grapevine, Texas in early August. More ... (read more)
Education policy topped the agenda at the 32nd annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Grapevine, Texas in early August. More ... (read more)
Florida's Voluntary Pre-K Program Gives Parents New Options
One of the nation's largest early-learning school choice initiatives kicked off August 15 when more than 90,000 four-year-olds headed to class in Florida's ... (read more)
One of the nation's largest early-learning school choice initiatives kicked off August 15 when more than 90,000 four-year-olds headed to class in Florida's ... (read more)
Home School Educates Children, Parents about ADHD
The Sharon School in Nicholasville, Kentucky doesn't advertise, and it accepts only 20 students at a time. Parents must pay $4,000 a year to send their ... (read more)
The Sharon School in Nicholasville, Kentucky doesn't advertise, and it accepts only 20 students at a time. Parents must pay $4,000 a year to send their ... (read more)
Illinois Schools' Spending Gap No Mystery
More than 800 separate school districts and varying costs of living across the state of Illinois are two of the factors contributing to a per-pupil spending ... (read more)
More than 800 separate school districts and varying costs of living across the state of Illinois are two of the factors contributing to a per-pupil spending ... (read more)
KIPP Foundation Program Trains New Breed of School Administrators
The reformers behind the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) are not strangers to innovative education reform. Therefore, it should come as no surprise they ... (read more)
The reformers behind the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) are not strangers to innovative education reform. Therefore, it should come as no surprise they ... (read more)
New Milwaukee Accountability Measures Work
Five schools have been removed from the 15-year-old Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP), and 51 others that applied for inclusion have been turned ... (read more)
Five schools have been removed from the 15-year-old Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP), and 51 others that applied for inclusion have been turned ... (read more)
October 2005 School Reform News (PDF)
The October 2005 issue of School Reform News addresses a wide range of topics, including innovative preschool and home school programs, special education ... (read more)
The October 2005 issue of School Reform News addresses a wide range of topics, including innovative preschool and home school programs, special education ... (read more)
Parental Rights, Student Privacy Take Center Stage on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill watchers can expect to hear a lot of arguing this fall about schools recommending that parents medicate their children before sending them ... (read more)
Capitol Hill watchers can expect to hear a lot of arguing this fall about schools recommending that parents medicate their children before sending them ... (read more)
Parents: How To Make the Most of Online Schools
The development of the Internet and the increasing public desire for educational choices have brought about a wide variety of online programs for school-age ... (read more)
The development of the Internet and the increasing public desire for educational choices have brought about a wide variety of online programs for school-age ... (read more)
Public School Choice Grows in Massachusetts
An obscure Massachusetts law passed in 1991 enabling students to attend public schools outside the district designated for them by the government is beginning ... (read more)
An obscure Massachusetts law passed in 1991 enabling students to attend public schools outside the district designated for them by the government is beginning ... (read more)
Push for Universal Preschool Grows
The Institute for America's Future and the Center for American Progress, co-chaired by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), on August 23 called for $325 billion ... (read more)
The Institute for America's Future and the Center for American Progress, co-chaired by Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), on August 23 called for $325 billion ... (read more)
School Choice Opponents Propose Diverting Voucher Funds
Two Wisconsin state senators are trying to garner support for a plan to divert voucher money from low-income city children enrolled in the Milwaukee Parental ... (read more)
Two Wisconsin state senators are trying to garner support for a plan to divert voucher money from low-income city children enrolled in the Milwaukee Parental ... (read more)
State Takes Over Special Education in Baltimore
A 20-year-old lawsuit against Baltimore City's failing special education system ended in July when a federal judge ordered the state to assume control of ... (read more)
A 20-year-old lawsuit against Baltimore City's failing special education system ended in July when a federal judge ordered the state to assume control of ... (read more)
Student Achievement Emerges as Civil Rights Issue in Maryland
The Anne Arundel County, Maryland board of education agreed to settle an 18-month-old federal class-action civil rights lawsuit in August, pledging to improve ... (read more)
The Anne Arundel County, Maryland board of education agreed to settle an 18-month-old federal class-action civil rights lawsuit in August, pledging to improve ... (read more)
Texas Governor Requires School Districts in the State to Spend 65% of Their Funds in the Classroom
After the state legislature failed in two special sessions this summer to pass school finance reform measures, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) issued an executive ... (read more)
After the state legislature failed in two special sessions this summer to pass school finance reform measures, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) issued an executive ... (read more)
Waste Plagues NJ School Construction
Many of New Jersey's poorest students, who have been looking forward to leaving dilapidated school buildings and going to sparkling new ones, could be facing ... (read more)
Many of New Jersey's poorest students, who have been looking forward to leaving dilapidated school buildings and going to sparkling new ones, could be facing ... (read more)
