Schools News Around the Blogosphere

Report: City schools unsafe, unjust
Philadelphia Inquirer
The district safe-schools advocate said the lack of discipline violates the law.
Philadelphia public schools are unsafe places where students who commit violent crimes are rarely punished and rehabilitated and with a disciplinary system that is "dysfunctional and unjust," according to a report by the district's safe-schools advocate.

Some of California's most gifted students are being ignored, advocates say
Los Angeles Times
Highly intelligent, talented students need special programs to keep them engaged and challenged. But experts say too often they aren't even identified -- especially in low-income and minority schools.

Improving our school systems starts with valuing our teachers
Arizona Republic
Raising expectations for K-12 learners starts with valuing teachers. Members of the Arizona Business & Education Coalition, or ABEC, recently joined other Arizona residents for the 92nd Arizona Town Hall focused on the teaching profession. We also conducted our own "Crash Course on Teacher Quality" last week for members of the business and education communities.

Half of courses in Grades 9 to 12 will be delivered online by 2019
Virtual schools see strong growth, calls for more oversight
Christian Science Monitor
Half of courses in Grades 9 to 12 will be delivered online by 2019, predicts a new report. Meridian, Idaho - Rather than send her kids off on the yellow bus, Briana LeClaire has school come to her home. Her kids attend a virtual public school, connecting online to teachers and coursework. Everything from books to microscopes to radish seeds arrives via brown trucks.

Rhee Targets 26 D.C. Schools for Overhaul
Washington Post
D.C. school chief plans to replace principals and teachers, hire private education-management firms and install instructional programs to boost student achievement.