A controversial computer-based learning model is competing with eight other proposals to be one of the next charter schools approved for the District, the Washington Examiner reports. The proposed Nexus Academy of DC, run by a subsidiary of publishing giant Pearson, would offer grades 9 through 12 in Ward 2, eventually serving up to 600 students. English and math would be taught by teachers at the school, while every other subject — from science and social studies to foreign languages and electives — would be taught online by an expert on various subjects. Some of these experts would be dedicated to the school full time, while others would not…
…Read MorePodcast Series: Innovations in Education
Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.
D.C. at-risk students paid $5.25 an hour to attend summer school
The District of Columbia is paying more than 300 students $5.25 an hour to attend summer school, the Washington Examiner reports. The “Summer Bridge” program pays rising ninth-graders who are identified as “less likely than their peers” to graduate on time, the Examiner explains. According to the report, only 53 percent of D.C. public school (DCPS) students graduate high school within four years — a number the summer program hopes to elevate. Melissa Salmanowitz, a spokesperson for Chancellor Kaya Henderson, told the paper that officials plan to examine the results to determine whether the program should be extended. The Summer Bridge program comes after a similar 2008 district experiment, in which some students were given points — each worth $2 — for good grades, behavior and attendance. Harvard economist Roland Fryer was the motivating force behind the Pay-To-Behave program, saying money can be used as a reward to underperforming and unmotivated students…
…Read MoreOpinion: Teachers union disavows internal memo endorsing deception of parents
American Federation of Teachers officials have disavowed an internal report after it was posted on the union’s website following its annual conference, embedded on each of its 19 pages with the union’s logo and signed by a union official, the Washington Examiner reports. The report, titled “How Connecticut Defused the Parent Trigger,” was replaced on AFT’s website with a note saying “we have received complaints about these materials and have removed them because they do not represent AFT’s position.”
…Read More