Quick Hits 8.10.11

More from the National Conference of State Legislatures: “In FY09, 31 state pension plans were under the 80% level considered fiscally sound -Pew Ctr data #ncsl.” Check out more live tweeting from Kris Amundson.

School choice hits a roadblock—transportation. Students attending one of New Jersey’s 56 new Choice schools are stuck without transportation if they choose a school more than 20 miles from their home. Even within 20 miles, if transportation costs more than the maximum allotted $884 per student, parents have to pay the difference. (Courier Post)

Teachers, parents, students oppose Missouri “Facebook law.” The ACLU of Eastern Missouri has threatened legal action against the law regulating teachers’ use of social networking. “‘We may have as many different interpretations of the law as we have school districts,’ said Anthony Rothert, an ACLU attorney. ‘When it comes to the First Amendment, there needs to be clarity.’” (STL Today)

Grading states on teacher effectiveness legislation. Bellwether has released a presentation, “Recent Teacher Effectiveness Legislation: How Do the States Stack Up?” which grades legislation. The report spotlights Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee.

Written by intern Marley Zeno.