COLUMBUS, OHIO May 6, 2009 – On Thursday, May 7, Sue Westendorf, executive director of My School, My Choice and former state school board president, and Tracie Craft, state director of the Ohio office of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) will hold a press conference to unveil radio and print ads in advance of Gov. Strickland’s education rally with union leaders on Friday.

South-Western workers trying to help levy pass in May

U.S. Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) and House Republican Leader John Boehner (OH) today introduced a resolution in support of the successful, yet endangered, private school scholarship program in the District of Columbia.

The Arizona Court of Appeals on March 12 upheld a state law that permits businesses to reduce their tax liability by contributing money to organizations that distribute private school scholarships to students.

ducation Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday that poor children getting vouchers to attend private schools in the District of Columbia should be allowed to stay there, putting the Obama administration at odds with Democrats trying to end the program.

The high-achieving sixth graders huddled near the gym bleachers to mull their options: African drumming at the Future Leaders Institute, debate team at Democracy Prep or piano at New Heights Academy.

Congressional Democrats have put conditions on future federal financing for a small school voucher program here, and they are urging the schools chancellor to prepare the public schools to re-enroll, in fall 2010, some 1,700 students currently attending private schools at taxpayer expense.

House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today condemned a provision tucked into Congressional Democrats' $410 billion "omnibus" spending bill that would phase out the District of Columbia's groundbreaking school choice program, which has provided educational opportunities for thousands of inner-city children since it was established with bipartisan support in 2004.

More than 171,000 children are benefiting from school voucher and scholarship tax credit programs this year, according to the national nonprofit Alliance for School Choice.

A Senate sponsor of legislation letting some New Orleans children attend private school at public expense says she's pleased with response to the program, although the number taking part in its first year is relatively low.

Former Milwaukee Public School superintendent Howard Fuller led marches before and after King was killed and like Barack Obama, he was once a community organizer.

Imagine this situation: The economy is facing a crisis with no recent parallel. Many Americans have lost jobs and homes.

In key ways, discussion of school reform in the District is missing the forest for the trees. Perhaps the biggest misconception is that reform begins and ends with the city agency overseeing the school district.

When President Richard Nixon went to China in 1972, conservatives were outraged. Popular columnist William F. Buckley summoned a gathering of high-ranking Republicans.

With the country surging to the political left on Election Day, an Indianapolis native hopes that Barack Obama will take the education system in what he considers to be the right direction.

This is truly a historic moment. I never thought in my life time that I would see a Black man elected President of the United States.

As you know, I support Barack Obama. I appreciate his support for charter schools. But, I can not stand silent as he sends his kids to private schools, but yet questions the value of vouchers because there is "no proof that they work".

Boys' Latin is a BAEO-Gates Small High School

America's educational system is falling behind. We must find innovative leaders with a vision who can prepare children for the future they deserve.

COLUMBUS CITY SCHOOLS

Hundreds of D.C. parents breathed a sigh of relief last week when a House subcommittee voted to fund the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program for another year.

Virginia Walden Ford: D.C. parents, students need Opportunity Scholarships

Hundreds of New Orleans school children will have a chance to go to private schools at taxpayer expense this fall under a bill given final passage in the state House on Wednesday with a 62-34 vote that marked a major victory for Gov. Bobby Jindal.

MOUNT VERNON

An ambitious new Southwest Philadelphia charter school uses an ancient language as a formula for learning.

ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

State ponders lower goal for high schools

Careful study shows critics' concerns are unfounded

Effort to instill love of books in children earns national notice for educator

Union president attributes tougher working conditions in wake of school levy failure.

Board unwilling to ask for kindergarten levy

'Unauditable' school has 90 days to provide state with records to keep aid

Think tank says education money should be linked directly to student needs

Governor wants control of state education department

Anticipating a $3.4M deficit, the superintendent says it's time to ask voters for more operating money.

Offering students money for passing tests didn't dramatically boost scores

Critics count 5 in 4 years; district says 42

Students' departure for charters hasn't wrecked school districts' budgets

Kids in KIPP schools know it's up to them to get smart. The Columbus school board is considering whether to help.

Bad economy a factor in levies' low passage rate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) will hold its Eighth Annual Symposium in New Orleans, La., from Wednesday, Feb. 27 to Saturday, March 1, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. For each of the past seven years, BAEO has hosted a national Symposium, which brings together the largest gathering of Black parental choice advocates and supporters in the United States.

Advisers press for second levy in '09

To repair education: He'll appoint directo

Shreé Medlock of LA BAEO Speaks Out In Favor of Parental Choice

State considers end-of-course exams to replace cumulative test that derailed thousands of students from graduation. New tests are likely to be even more rigorous.

Children Leave for Charter Schools, But Funds Do Not Follow

Money for new buses, teacher development fall in state budget crunch

High schoolers' low interest spurred governor's new plan

Columbus panel seeks more time to study issue

President said group has never been presented with the plan and has not voted to approve or support it.

Fall ballot options likely to include an income tax

Education official says bill to revoke felons' licenses fair

Hip Hop High counters a neighborhood culture of extreme violence and poverty with respect, attention and the chance to make music.

City schools' push fills private, U.S.-funded slots

Value-added measure better demonstrates charter school performance

Official says 'You have to make them intentionally educational programs.'

Lagging schools may get in-house help

Board of regents' road map for university system favors public schools, some officials say.

Introduction of legislation to outlaw corporal punishment in schools brings issue into spotlight.

GRADUATING WITHOUT PASSING

The few districts that still paddle say their communities accept it

Board will first undertake cost-savings study and an economic examination of the community.

Westminster Presbyterian Church partners with Van Cleve Elementary School for an after-school program.

Vote likely today on recommendations to tighten system of teacher discipline

Emergency plans still a must to prevent 'chaos,' official says

Vast majority of discipline cases involving local teachers relate to offenses that happened in off time.

Elected state school board has proved unresponsive to public

The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and the Brookings Institution publishes The Future of Children

Candidates sound off on prayer, quality of teachers

Percentage ranks city 5th in major markets in U.S.

Teacher-misconduct system to become more transparent

Pressure builds on the 57% of programs getting low grades

House speaker concerned after revelations of unreported misconduct by Ohio teachers

Nonpublic schools have no legal duty to make teacher records available to the state, parents or other districts

Parents face high hurdles in finding information about educators punished for misconduct. Education Department officials insist many records are private.

Last month's case in Grove City is one of many nationally

Worthington middle school's new approach suits students and teachers alike

The biggest districts typically fail to report teacher discipline to the Ohio Department of Education

Disciplined teachers can stay in class and keep their misdeeds secret

Superintendent: Disadvantaged kids need help to succeed

William Peterson retires after the governing board says the schools need to go in a different direction.

Public districts are required to provide free education, Attorney General Marc Dann's office says.

Poor academic performance puts institutions at risk

It's the first multiyear deal since 2004; teachers will get 2 percent raise each year.

Timing is right to make state and federal evaluations complement one another.

Columbus City School District' christens itself, unveils a modified logo

15 out of 94 Miami Valley districts slip one level on Ohio's rating scale

Academic watch status is a step below last year's continuous improvement ranking.

Teaching skills, taking tests is mountain to be climbed again, superintendent says

First-year superintendent says she was confident that caring community would come through.

District brings back educators to fill openings caused by retirements and resignations.

Give charter schools tools they need to avoid financial failur

Spending cuts, levy passage and positive fund balances through 2011 prompt action by the Department of Education.

With board member Ronald Jackson's departure, board looks to fill ranks from a range of candidates.

State rating is highest ever for district

Elevated levels of vapors from the spill in Van Cleve prompted the relocation.

National officials for the Knowledge is Power Program have picked a leader for the charter middle school they plan to open in Columbus.

Bookbag giveaway gives needy kids the supplies they need to go back to school.

Regional training sessions are teaching officials how to manage money.

Students at centers with many disadvantaged more likely to fail graduation test, data show

Voters won't get a shot at fixing Ohio's school-funding system. Not this November anyway.

The charter school is back on probation as its sponsor demands the removal of Superintendent Roseda Goff.

High-school courses aren't rigorous enough to prepare students for college, says a report from ACT Inc.

Letter indicates that Ridgeville was facing a $675,000 shortfall for the upcoming school year.

Some working Charter schools teacher licenses under review expired credentials

Ohio House Speaker made decision after commitment by board to cooperate with charter and private schools.

The urban Catholic high school expects a 13 percent drop in the fall from this year's enrollment.

Dayton officials say they've complied with state law and offered charters chance to bid on unused buildings.

Rent-A-Center Furnishes New Teen Center for Boys & Girls Club of Dayton

Republicans think budget tweak can save program

Moratorium also would halt promising schools

Leaving 'No Child' money behind; Funds intended for Columbus' poor schools

Budget only first step toward funding fix, Strickland says; lawmakers look over plan

State proposes changes to ensure steady hands are driving your kids. Drivers may face tougher scrutiny. State proposes changes to ensure steady hands are driving your kids. Proposed standards for school bus drivers

Angry moms, dads sometimes barred from child’s building

Microsoft’s Bill Gates said he felt "deep anxiety" about the nation’s ability to run with foreign competitors.

2025 GOAL: 94 MILLION GRADS

The School Chooser Guide is also part of groups' effort to break down public, private and charter school options.

Numerous districts and communities asking voters to approve tax levies.

Highly rated schools say student freedom fosters enthusiasm

More blacks are leaving their assigned schools to find a better fit at a charter, private or public alternative.

It's unlikely that the district will be able to maintain its 'continuous improvement' ranking.

Dayton families to receive guide that will help them choose the right school 'School Chooser Guide,' which should arrive this month, will profile 83 area public, private and charter schools.

Without operating levy, school board says it would have to cut about $30 million from the schools' core budget.

Plummeting enrollment at middle school is too much for Columbus task force to ignore