SOUTH DAKOTA BOARD CHANGES HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS — The South Dakota Board of Education altered the number of class hours required for high school credit hours. The new rule eliminates the old, 146-class-hour requirement, thus giving local school districts latitude in deciding class length. The change would allow schools to offer students more flexible credit options that include online studies, test-out examinations, and internships. The change is credited to a change in philosophy by the state board, which includes a focus on student outcomes rather than a traditional focus inputs. The new rule, once approved by a legislative committee, will not affect the length of the school year. Source: Argus Leader (9/16/08)

PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD ADDS STUDENT MEMBERS — Two Pennsylvania high school students were named non-voting representatives to the State Board of Education. Elizabeth Williams, a senior from Pocono Mountain West High School, will serve a one-year term as the high school student member, while Gardiner Kreglow, a junior from Bethlehem Area School District, will serve as the high school member-elect. “This is a tremendous opportunity for the students to impact the policies that directly affect what happens in their classrooms and those of their fellow classmates,” State Board of Education Chairman Joseph Torsella said. “I have no doubt that their participation will add valuable perspective to the board’s deliberations and the views of the other board members.” This opportunity was made possible through a grant provided by the National Association of State Boards of Education and funded by the MetLife Foundation. Source: State Board of Education Press Release (9/9/08)  

PENNSYLVANIA INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC LEAGUE ASKED TO DO CRIMINAL CHECKS ON ALL OFFICIALS —   After a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette investigation found dozens of present and past PIAA-registered officials maintained licenses despite criminal convictions, the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League board asked the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association to do criminal background checks on all of the state’s 13,700 athletic officials. The league previously proposed background checks only for new officials. “While criminal background checks may be a ‘feel good’ means of taking some action to protect student-athletes, it is not the only, and is certainly not even the best, means available to provide protection. PIAA has taken a different approach, but with very good results,” according to Bradley R. Cashman, PIAA executive director. “Perhaps, though, after further assessment of benefits and costs of doing so, we will also require criminal background checks.” Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (9/18/2008)

$400M DEFICIT PROJECTION HAS MICHIGAN EYEING TAKEOVER OF DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS — A projected $400 million budget deficit during the next two years in the Detroit Public Schools has led state officials to consider taking over the beleaguered district. After meeting with local board members, state Superintendent Mike Flanagan notified Gov. Jennifer Granholm of DPS’ problems. This was a first step in a process that may result in her appointment of a review team within the next month. The team and the city board will have 90 days to find a solution to the financial problems. Failing that, Flanagan can ask for a state-appointed financial manager to make all of DPS’ financial decisions. The letter to Granholm comes less than three years after Michigan took over DPS for a six-year stretch. That takeover ended in 2005 with a $200 budget deficit. Source: Detroit Free Press (9/18/08)

ALABAMA SCHOOLS MEET HEALTHY FOOD DEADLINE — Every school district in Alabama has met the deadline imposed by the State Board of Education for serving healthier foods to students. The board approved new standards for healthier snacks and lunches in 2005, and districts had until the start of this school year to implement them. The state’s healthy food standards eliminate all foods of minimal nutritional value; require fresh fruits and vegetables to be used as snacks, and ensure that school lunches provide one-third the recommended dietary allowances for protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories. Cafeterias must use whole wheat, fresh fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. Alabama’s success in fully implementing healthy food standards has not been replicated in many areas of the country:  a 2007 USDA report showed that despite soaring child obesity rates, fewer than one third of the nation’s public schools meet the standard for total or saturated fat in their meals. Source: Birmingham News (9/18/2008)

ILLINOIS STANDS BEHIND RECALCULATED TEST SCORES DESPITE MIXED RESULTS — Illinois State Schools Superintendent Chris Koch said the recently released scores on the state’s standardized tests “accurately reflect performance,” even though nearly one million scores were recalculated and immigrant students were made to take the English test for the first time. A sampling of scores was released on Wednesday, and those showed statewide improvements in math, reading, and science in aggregate. A million math and reading scores were recalculated because of changes in the form of the tests and where some questions were placed, and on high school exams a new formula was needed after concerns were raised that Day Two scores were given undue weight over other days’ scores. Source: Chicago Sun-Times (9/18/08)