House education committee approves a bill to authorize new money to improve school facilities after debate about federal spending priorities
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/05/07/36facilities.h27.html

Commentary – “Education, which has not gotten much attention from the presidential candidates, must move front and center in the 2008 campaign”
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/05/07/36fuhrman.h27.html

School Funding Litigation/Policy

NJ Department of Education considers removing voters from the school district budget process to cut costs
http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-4/1209960343324240.xml&coll=5

School auction season – a phenomenon of affluent areas – is in full swing across NYC to make up for budget cuts of over $180 million
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/nyregion/03auctions.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

State Roundup

HI will not apply for a trial federal program under NCLB that would give states a more flexible way of helping failing schools by targeting money to schools with the most needs
http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/04/news/story07.html

PA Board of Education approves new regulations that will make it easier to identify students as gifted through a more flexible and open process
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_565729.html

PA proposal to establish state high school graduation tests in 10 subjects has generated stiff opposition
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20080505_Rendell_s_graduate_skills_test_in_trouble.html

UT Legislature offered science and math teachers a bonus for the 2008-2009 school year, but many teachers in those subjects may not qualify
http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/264913/17/

Published Tuesday, May. 13, 2008