COLORADO STATE BOARD CLARIFIES RULES FOR CHARTER AUTHORIZERS, APPROVES NEW ONLINE CHARTER SCHOOL REGULATIONS — Using a model of best practices recommended by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, the Colorado State Board of Education for the first time adopted policies to guide charter authorizers. The rules are in line with a legislative committee appointed in 2010 that called for a set of strong rules for charter authorizers that require districts to: create a clear application process for charter schools, hold schools accountable for high expectations, and focus on student growth rather than directing curriculum and teaching practices. The state board also plans to use these as a reference when reviewing appeals from charter schools for denials of a charter or closures.

The Colorado board also unanimously approved new regulations for multi-district online charter schools. In compliance with a 2011 state law, the rules for the administration, certification, and oversight of online schools were aligned to better match the accountability standards for all schools in the state. The intent is to clarify the oversight responsibilities of those districts that authorize online charters. This law also eliminated a requirement for the online programs to annually report to the state, and for multi-district programs to be periodically recertified by the state. Lawmakers are expected to address other aspects of online charter schools during this legislative session, including the way that enrollment is counted, which impacts state funding. Sources: EdNewsColorado (1/11/12), Denver Post (1/12/12), Colorado Department of Education press release (1/12/12)

LOUISIANA BOARD APPROVES NEW STATE CHIEF — The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education named John White the next state superintendent. White, former head of the Recovery School District in New Orleans and nominated by Gov. Bobby Jindal, was hired on a 9-2 vote during a special meeting. White reorganized the Recovery School District’s central office and organized the city’s school construction program that will build, modernize, and renovate facilities for the growing number of charter schools there. White named his former deputy superintendent, Patrick Dobard, the next leader of the Recovery School District pending his confirmation by the state board. Sources: Times-Picayune (1/11/12)

NEBRASKA STATE BOARD REQUIRES ONLINE STATE TESTS FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR — The Nebraska State Board of Education unanimously agreed that all statewide tests will be administered online as of the 2012-2013 school-year. Last year, it cost the state $56,000 to provide paper and pencil tests, as 80 percent of students took the reading exams online and 60 percent took the math test electronically. Source: Lincoln Journal Star (1/11/12) 

U.S. Department of Education issued a report on the progress of the 12 winners of Race to the Top awards last year and found many of them falling behind on their promises. The Department concluded that while most states are making progress towards implementing their plans, most are experiencing capacity challenges filling essential employee positions and hiring appropriate vendors. Grantees are required to use the funding to implement college- and career-readiness standards, implement comprehensive state longitudinal data systems, turn around their low-performing schools, and ensure they have effective teachers in every classroom, especially in high-need areas. The overall report and individual reports on each of the winners – Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Tennessee – can be found at here. Source: EdWeek.org (1/10/12)

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD AND CHIEF MEND FENCES — South Carolina’s education superintendent is no longer required to tell the state board of education about millions of dollars available in grants for education. The board repealed a rule that mandated such reporting after weeks of debate between the panel and Superintendent Mick Zais nearly led the board to sue the chief. The battle arose from Zais’ refusal to comply with the rule that required the state superintendent to inform the board of all grants exceeding $10 million. Ultimately, it was an argument about governance and accountability, as Zais – who is elected – said in December that he answers not to the legislatively appointed board but to voters. “I am assured that (Zais and his staff) will adopt a forward attitude toward providing information requested by the board and keeping us informed of their plans, activities, and thoughts to assist us in fulfilling our legal obligation of directing education policy this year,” said board Chair Dennis Thompson. Sources: The State (1/11/12, 12/6/11), South Carolina Board of Education meeting video (1/11/12) 

GEORGIA BILL GIVES FULL DEPARTMENT HIRING AUTHORITY TO STATE CHIEF — A bill approved by the Georgia legislature would transfer most hiring and firing responsibility for state Education Department employees from the state board of education to the state. Standing law gives the Georgia State Board of Education the authority to approve department staffers and top secretaries, but allows the state superintendent to hire five members of the immediate cabinet. The bill does allow the state board to reverse the hiring decision of the state superintendent if a two-thirds vote is reached. The legislature also granted the superintendent power to approve contracts worth no more than $250,000 at the recommendation of the chairman of the state board budget committee, an increase from $50,000 in current practice.

Legislators also passed a bill prohibiting local boards from firing teachers based on seniority and mandates teacher performance be the primary consideration or risk the loss of state funding. A task force to review teacher’s professional learning requirements will be created under the legislation, which also awaits Gov. Deal’s signature. Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (1/9/12)

NEW JERSEY BILL WOULD END VOTER APPROVAL OF MOST LOCAL SCHOOL BUDGETS, MOVE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS TO NOVEMBER — New Jersey lawmakers sent a bill to Gov. Chris Christie that would end the long-standing practice of giving voters the chance to decide the fate of local school district budgets during April school board elections. The bill would also shift those plebiscites from April to November in a move to increase voter participation. The budget provision is aligned with a 2 percent cap on school budget increases adopted last year. The measure allows school boards to pass district budgets if they fall within the 2 percent tax hike cap, but budget increases greater than 2 percent would still have to be approved by voters. Source: Newark Star-Ledger (1/9/12)

WASHINGTON SUPREME COURT RULES STATE FAILS TO ADEQUATELY FUND EDUCATION — Washington is not fulfilling its constitutional responsibility for funding basic public education, according to a ruling last week by the state Supreme Court. “The court cannot stand idly by as the legislature makes unfulfilled promises for reform,” wrote Justice Debra Stephens for the majority. But lawmakers said even that decision will not necessarily save education from budget cuts this year, as the state faces a $1.5 billion deficit. Further, the state chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee said that even at current levels, education would still need between an extra $6 billion and $9 billion to provide full funding for education. In light of the ruling, some policymakers, including Gov. Chris Gregoire, are asking voters to approve a tax increase to reduce further cuts to education. A majority of voters and two-thirds of the legislature must support any tax increase to make that happen. Despite the ruling, the Court endorsed the education reform efforts that the legislature is currently pursuing and giving it until 2018 to fully implement the reforms. Sources: Seattle Times (1/6/12), OregonLive.com (1/5/12)

MASSACHUSETTS JUDGE RULES PARENTS HAVE NO SAY IN CHARTER AUTHORIZATION — A Massachusetts Superior Court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by 15 Gloucester parents that contended the state board of education and education commissioner violated state law by approving the charter of the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School against local wishes. The judge ruled the parents had no standing to sue because the legislature did not provide for parental involvement in authorization in the state charter law. The families opposed the school because, they said, $1.2 million in state aid would be diverted from the district’s public schools to support a school they did not think should have been approved. Source: GloucesterTimes.com (1/10/12)