Friday Snippets 05/02/08 - Teachers and Bikinis and Keeping their Jobs

Little lighter this week as I was out of town.


Evolution Update: Florida, Louisiana



A little more Jena 6 fallout.



Idaho's District Court is reconsidering what to do to force changes in Idaho's school funding system.



Sometimes the school finance lawsuits pay off handsomely.

An anti-bullying bill in Florida passed the legislature and is expected to be signed by the Governor. BullyPolice calls it the "BEST Anti-Bullying Law written to date" and has the text.



Massachusetts comes out with a new anti-bullying guide.



However, Louisiana's anti-bullying bill hits a roadblock.



Minnesota's House passes an age appropriate, mandatory sex education plan.



Principals have to answer questions in Illinois over their bilingual education programs ... or lack thereof.



Illinois Legislators are protecting your children from the Internet (they think).



Turf v. Grass - Give me the grass.



Scott McLeod sends over the latest hot teacher lifestyle firing. Teacher wears bikini on a fishing charter ... fired. (video)



Scott also has a tennis coach blindfolding students,
putting them in the middle of the court, and ordering the rest of the
team to fire tennis balls at them. Ahh, coaches. Constant legal issues
with them.



And around the blogosphere:

I want to start with Jim Gerl's request for information on the connection between special education due process usage and poverty.
I think Jim is right that there is a connection there and a little
research could probably document it. If I were not so busy Jim I would
look into it with you. Maybe later this year or next year. Anyway, Jim
has hit on a really good research project here and if anyone wants to
help I am sure he would appreciate it.

What I consider the big news of the week is that the Sixth Circuit is going to rehear en banc their NCLB decision. Mark Walsh has the details.
When that decision came down you had to know this was a big
possibility, so now we will see what the full Sixth Circuit has to say.
My guess is that they will go the other way.

Mark also has the end of the Connecticut NCLB challenge & BoardBuzz reflects on the branches of government that are making educational law ... and the one (legislature) that is not.

Karl Romberger gives thoughts on ability grouping in Pennsylvania.

Erin Buzuvis questions the application of Gebser to athletics. The Title IX Blog also has a link to a new study out of Israel that finds co-educational classrooms benefit everyone.



The Higher Ed Law Prof Blog is getting annoyed that teachers continue to be fired for refusing to sign loyalty oaths.



The Adjunct Law Prof Blog has more professors suing students. (Now that I am switching teams ... it sounds fine to me.) Mitchell also has blogs being incorporated into law classes.



Pamela Parker wonders what happened to May Day in Texas schools.



Kevin Carey has the fall of vouchers.

Jonathan Adler at the Volokh Conspiracy calls the recent anti-evolution academic freedom tact academic fraud.



Howard Friedman has a settlement in the case of religious art restrictions in school.





And for your Friday Fun ... you can check out pictures of the house I just bought (more).
It backs to a school, which I like, although I am not sure how I am
going to keep my son off the playground equipment. Also, if anyone
loves to refinish hardwood floors and doesn't mind driving to Lexington
...

Google Document Link: Friday Snippets 05/02/08

Comments

[jim gerl]

As always, thanks Justin for your support. I'll kkep you posted on any response I get on the poverty issue.

Did you ever get the calendar that I sent to you?

Jim Gerl

[Justin Bathon]

Yeah, it is a great idea to research Jim. I think you hit on something here that could be researched pretty easily. If you wanted, you may be able to get individual student SES status (free and reduced lunch) for the students that submitted for due process. I am not positive if it can be accessed, but if you had good contacts at a department of education, there may be people on the inside that can make those connections for you. Have them remove student identifying information and then you should be able to use it to get a sense of outcomes of cases based on student poverty levels. Anyway, that is just one idea of how to get at this information. You could also work backwards and get the cases/settlements and then work backwards to family income. That seems like it would be harder, but it might still be possible.

On the calander, yeah, I got it. Thanks. I thanked you publicly 2 weeks ago in the Friday Snippets. See it here (the picture). But, now let me thank you privately. Actually my wife was quite impressed that you sent it. She might even be a bigger Office fan than I am. Anyway, it was a really nice gesture Jim. I appreciate it.

I guess you know I am going to be moving to Lexington, KY this summer. Anyway, if you ever find yourself near Lexington or even on the West side of WV, be sure to let me know. I would love to do lunch sometime.

[jim gerl]

The poverty issue is very interesting. I'm going to try to get some help from others first. Then I may follow your suggestion. Also I have volunteered to serve on a dissertation committee for this topic at one college if it generates interest.

I don't know how I missed that photo of you and the calendar. I remember that Friday snippet. Yikes.

Anyway glad you enjoyed it. Make sure I get your new contact info in a less public forum. I love Lexington. It is also the home of the Mid-South Regional Resource Center headed by my friend Rich Lewis. Have you met him? I'll be sure to take you up on lunch.

Keep up the great blog!

[Justin Bathon]

Sounds good on the poverty issue Jim. If there is any way I can help let me know.

I will be sure to pass along the new contact info. I will finally be listed as a faculty member, so it will be available on the UK Department of Educational Leadership Studies website as well.

I have not met Rich Lewis yet, but I am sure I will as I think that Center is affiliated with UK somehow.

Looking forward to lunch. Let's make sure it happens. I wouldn't even mind driving to Huntington if necessary if you have a hearing there or something. Anyway, we will find a way to meet up eventually.

Have a good weekend.