The debate over Education Secretary is heating up. David Brooks says it is a fight between "reformers" and "establishment." I think that is a little too simple of way of putting it. Two comments: 1: the pick is not as important as people are making it out to be, 2: the only candidate I am against is Arne Duncan. I think we have a pretty bad precedent (2) of bringing in an education secretary from the president-elect's home state, so I don't want to try that again.
The theme this week is universities cutting budgets. No different here. In fact, Kentucky may end tenure in community colleges.
It means class sizes will get bigger.
Indiana's new school funding suit was before their Supreme Court this week.
Mississippi is still recruiting new teachers.
A Washington state lawsuit over union fees and union spending on political issues settles.
The DOJ is going after Texas for their treatment of disabled students.
Paying parents to teach their own kids? Shouldn't they do that anyway?
The New Jersey Superintendent's suit against regulations limiting their perks was thrown out this week. Look for more of this in a state near you.
I hate stories like this. Apples and Oranges.
Merging away HBCU's ... talk about controversial.
Around the Blogosphere:
A good discussion at Leadertalk about getting the Ph.D. in education. My thought is why not? But, find the right program.
Mark W. has the details on the Title IX arguments before the Supreme Court. I told Mark when I saw him a couple weeks ago how jealous I am of him getting to cover these Supreme Court cases.
Jon Becker has a provocative post about the whiteness of blogging.
Jeff Marcus informs us of some new special ed. regulations.
Pam Parker had a good post last week on schools marketing themselves I didn't want to let slip by. Relatedly, BoardBuzz has a shocking post on classroom advertising.
Jannifer Marquis has a good FMLA update.
For your Friday Fun: Funny or Die. Specifically Prop 8: The Musical.