In 1997, Jonathan Levin, the son of former Time Warner Chair Jerry Levin and a dedicated high school teacher in the South Bronx, was murdered in his home by one of his students. The apparent motivation was robbery.

Levin’s murder sent shock waves throughout New York City and its public schools. In honor of Levin’s memory, a new high school was founded five years later; the Jonathan LevinContinue Reading »

“My manicurist requires a license to do my nails, but our nation isn’t sure we should license teachers.” Camilla Benbow in an excerpt from John Chubb’s new book, The Best Teachers in the World. (Defining Ideas)*

More Chicago woes. District leaders are working to identify as many as 100 schools eligible for closure. (The Atlantic)

Preparing high-schoolers for life. At least 4Continue Reading »

In recent posts on The Quick and The Ed, Education Sector staff members have discussed the downsides of Romney’s recently announced school choice plan.  Policy Analyst Anne Hyslop argued that with school choice, a student’s educational opportunities will depend on the engagement and capabilities of the parent, as well as the luck of the lottery.  Under Romney’s plan, students with unengaged or Continue Reading »

“Rebooting the system.” UC Hastings is the most prestigious law school to announce that it will admit fewer students than in years past, amid nationwide questions of the value of a law degree. The college, which typically rejects 3 in 4 of its applicants, will accept 20 percent fewer students this fall. (Inside Higher Ed)

Suspended, but not disconnected. Detroit high school students, whoContinue Reading »

Teacher discipline based on test scores. Wisconsin lawmakers have approved a bill that would allow school officials to use student test scores in matters related to teacher discipline, including firing decisions. The bill was sent to Gov. Scott Walker. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

You think the housing market stinks? There’s not much savings to be had in school closings, and selling old Continue Reading »

Free school lunch—even in the summer. Elementary schools in Florida, with funding from a federal Summer Food Service Program for Children grant, are serving free lunches to children without qualifying them based on family income. Taylor community schools have fed as many as 170 children in a day. (Kokomo Tribune)

NYC judge rules not to block school closures. The Manhattan Supreme Court dContinue Reading »

There’s a heated (verbal) battle going on around the country about school closures. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has made school turnarounds a central part of the Race to the Top, and several big-city superintendents are attempting to improve their schools by shutting down consistently poor-performing schools. As might be expected, the teachers and students in those schools, and theContinue Reading »

Several folks have e-mailed me links to or questions about Washington, D.C., Superintendent Clifford Janey’s announcement yesterday of six D.C. schools that will be closed as part of DCPS’s plan to eliminate 3 million square feet of vacant space by August 2006. Parts of nine other D.C. campuses will be opened for co-location with city agencies or charter schools.

Analysis froContinue Reading »