Friday Snippets: 5/9/08 - Not Quite the End of Vouchers

A pretty busy week here at the end of the school year:



A big story this week was the San Diego State drug bust. The student's have now plead not guilty. Frankly, I am a little surprised this does not happen more often. I don't think it is all that difficult so it might be from a lack of trying.



Another big story this week was the Facebook agreement. More from BoardBuzz. Although my ear to the ground says that MySpace is getting more popular again.



More evidence that your school e-mail account is not safe from FOIA. Law Professor e-mails released to public in West Virginia.



The New York Times finally picks up the school lawyers scandal.
Thankfully, this story is beginning to cool down so although I would
classify this is an eruption, it was only a minor one and it looks to
stay that way. Had the times focused on this story earlier, there could
have been a lot more public outcry. (And thankfully (or not depending
on your viewpoint I guess) the Presidential race is drowning out a lot
of stories this year).



Reading teachers in Connecticut are going to have to take a test on teaching reading before they can be licensed.



A House Bill in Louisiana says that kids should not be allowed to wear body armor in schools. (Who has body armor just lying around?)



Michigan, always a leader in special education, might be taking a step back in some districts.



But, I can't be disappointed with Michigan this week because of this good idea from a State Senator: 16 & 17 year olds should be able to vote in School Board Elections. Why not? It affects their lives more than any other.



New Hampshire takes another stab at a school funding plan.



Indiana was not the only state to allow a school funding lawsuit to proceed ... Montana did too.



Service dogs are allowed in schools in Virginia.



More on the Virginia Internet Safety Classes.



No recruiting by Boy Scouts while classes are in session in Greenwich.



As is always the case, in battles between Governors and State Superintendents of Education ... Governors win. Susan Tave Zelman, from Ohio and of voucher fame, is looking for a new job.





And around the blogosphere:



Mark Walsh has a great story
on John McCain and the Newdow case. Interesting to see how that case
has been used as a fear tactic even years after it was decided. Also, 13 felony convictions ... apparently 1 too many to be a teacher. Great stuff Mark.



Jim Gerl does a bit of reflecting on recognizing discrimination and how all of us can occasionally miss it.



The Higher Ed Law Prof Blog shuts down. If you are a higher ed law prof ... I encourage you to restart it. The Law Professor Blogs Network
is a great network and will give you a lot of hits (and some authority)
right away. Sad to see it go, but I could see that coming for a while.



But the Adjunct Law Prof Blog is still going strong. Lots of stuff this week on unions, FMLA, NLRB, etc.



David Hoff has details on the new NCLB Regulations Public Hearings ... go let your voice be heard.



Title IX blogs has details on a sexual harassment case in Texas, which has since been dismissed for lack of "actual knowledge."



I enjoyed BoardBuzz's story on Colbert and Truthiness ... and helping schools.



Finally, an interesting discussion is taking place over at Michelle McNeil's blog regarding vouchers. (1) Greg Anrig says vouchers are out of fashion. (2) Michelle disagrees. (3) Checker Finn weighs in. (4) Greg responds. (5) Michele asks for input (and I gave some and encourage you to do the same). Great discussion though. Michele has been doing great work at Campaign K-12 and I encourage you to add her to your aggregator.





And for your Friday Fun: Check out these amazing pictures of the eruption of the volcano Chaitén in Chile.  It is rare to see a pyroclastic cloud,
but even more rare perhaps to see one so electrically active. These are
probably once in a lifetime pictures, so they are worth a look.



Here is more on the eruption from MSNBC (video). h/t David Kurtz at TPM. 




PhotoCredit: Poppyseed Bandits

Google Document Link: Friday Snippets 5/9/08