Local School Topics

The debate over school choice is a heated one in Houston Independent Public Schools, one of the largest school systems in the country. A new plan introduced in the state legislature is bringing the question of school choice into the limelight in Texas once again. The Houston district is weighing all sides of the issue, from the potential money-saving benefits to the possibility of a higher quality of instruction for students across the district.

What is School Choice?

According to the Examiner, school choice involves the ability of families to choose the best education option for their children. Options might include neighborhood public, charter, magnet, and private schools. Some families might also opt for online or homeschooling with this model. With a school choice option, families can take the tax dollars that would typically go directly into the school district where they live and put that money into the form of education that they determine is best for their individual child.

The new plan introduced to the Texas legislature allows a variety of “choice” options, according to The Villager. These might include allowing companies to enjoy a cut in state franchise taxes if they contribute to private school scholarship programs and traditional “choice” measures, including school options across district lines and lifting enrollment caps on current charter schools. Also known as a school voucher system, the plan would allow families to use their tax dollars to offset tuition at private schools if

As many schools are looking for ways to beef up security measures after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, some are focusing on mental health as a part of their efforts. Miami-Dade, one of the largest school districts in the U.S. is taking this approach by providing mental health training to school teachers and staff. The new training is based on a program from the American Psychiatric Foundation, and it will be offered to teachers, cafeteria workers and janitors at middle and high schools across the county.

Typical or Troubled?

The program from the American Psychiatric Foundation, titled, “Typical or Troubled?” is designed to help those who work with teens recognize the symptoms of mental illness. According to the foundation, approximately one in five children has a mental health disorder, and about half of those have what would be considered a serious disorder. In addition, the foundation emphasizes that 90 percent of individuals diagnosed with a mental health disorder see the early signs of that condition during adolescence.

The statistics suggest that early detection of mental health disorders during the teen years could result in an improved prognosis and treatment program for many mental health patients. The American Psychiatric Foundation states that early detection of mental health disorders results in more effective treatment options, particularly for teens. Unfortunately, when mental health disorders are not diagnosed and treated early on, the symptoms can become worse over time. Symptoms may impact a student’s ability to perform

Parents are taking full advantage of the new “parent trigger” law in California to take over a failing school in the Los Angeles Unified School District. A group of parents from 24^th Street Elementary School, in collaboration with the advocacy group Parent Revolution, has submitted a petition to enact the parent trigger law in their school. This law allows parents to take the reins of failing schools in the state, fire teachers and administrators and change the basic school structure.

Parents Working toward Change

Reuters reported that dissatisfied parents at 24^th Street Elementary School have been working toward positive changes inside the school for a number of years. However, the Parent Empowerment Act of 2010, also known as the “parent trigger” law, gave frustrated parents the path to change they were looking for. The new law has already been utilized successfully by another California school – Desert Trails Elementary School in Adelanto, California. Parents at that failing school staged a successful parent takeover and now the school is headed for new charter status under the successful leadership of LaVerne Elementary Preparatory Academy.

Riding on the success at Desert Trails, the parents of 24^th Street Elementary School began collecting the signatures necessary to enact the parent trigger. According to state law, parents must submit a petition with at least 50 percent of the parents’ signatures to qualify. Southern California Public Radio reported that parents submitted a petition with nearly two-thirds of their parents’

Students in New York public schools are enjoying an uptick in graduation rates in recent years. The largest school system in the country has hit an all-time high in graduation rates, with its 10^th consecutive year of gains in high school completion. While graduation rates have improved nationwide, New York City is particularly proud of its improvements that indicate the massive school system might be on the right track in the area of public education.

More NYC Students Graduating, Fewer Dropping Out

ABC Local News reports that the four-year graduation rate for NYC students in 2011 was 65 percent, which is an increase of 19 percentage points since 2005. In 2005, the city began to use a new methodology for calculating graduation and dropout rates. Since that new methodology was implemented, graduation rates have risen from just over 40 percent to 65 percent. At the same time, dropout rates have decreased from 22 percent in 2005 to 12 percent in 2011.

“More students are succeeding in our schools than ever before,” NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg told ABC Local. “Our students, teachers and school administrators should be proud, and while we still have more work to do, we are certainly on the right track.”

New York Follows National Trend

The upswing in New York City follows a national trend, according to My Fox NY. The news station reports that national graduation rates in 2010 were at their highest level since 1976 and down around three

The announcement of school closures is typically met with a high degree of emotion and concern. In Philadelphia, the proposal has also been met with plenty of protests, from the formation of zombie flash mobs to marches throughout the city. Many are opposed to the proposed school closures in one of the largest school districts in the country. However, district officials assert that closing schools is the only way to balance a school budget in dire straits.

Closing Philadelphia Schools

According to a report in the Philadelphia Public Schools Notebook, district superintendent William Hite has recommended the closure of 37 city schools. Hite has claimed that the closures are a necessary step toward saving the school district a significant amount of money. The district estimates the closures would result in savings of around $28 million annually. It would also be a positive move toward a more competitive school system since more resources could be poured into the remaining schools.

This video explains why the city council cannot stop school closings.

However, opponents to the closure plan say the savings to the district would be minimal since district officials were not currently factoring in the cost of transportation and transition expenses. Protesters also note that the closures could fuel additional charter school growth, which had already taken a significant bite out of the school district’s budget. Students and parents of the schools cited