WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 3, 2008 

ONLINE PUBLIC BOARD MEETINGS ALLOWABLE UNDER ARIZONA SUNSHINE LAW — Arizona’s Attorney General has issued a legal opinion that online meetings by school boards and other government panels are allowed under the state’s open meeting law so long as the public is able to also electronically view the meeting. The opinion was sought by a local school district that wished to meet via Internet. The Attorney General noted that public bodies that intend to conduct “virtual” meetings must give adequate public notice of their scheduled meeting and specific instructions on how the public can listen and/or view the meeting taking place. Since not all citizens have a phone, computer, or Internet access, public bodies must also provide such accommodations at a public location in close proximity to its office and/or meeting space. Source: Associated Press (9/30/08)

CONNECTICUT BOARD INCREASES GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS — The State Board of Education in Connecticut has approved a secondary school reform plan that raises the number of courses needed to graduate to 25 (up from 20), adds a requirement that students complete a “capstone” project, and requires students to pass end-of-course exams in Algebra 1, geometry, biology, English 2, and U.S. history. The plan also focuses on better engaging students in their schooling—beginning in the sixth grade, students will get advisors and individualized plans to help them chart their goals and courses. Dropped from an earlier version of the plan was a requirement for two years of a world language. In all, the reforms are projected to cost the state nearly $184 million over the next eight years, and would begin with 25 to 30 volunteer districts in the fall of 2009 before becoming mandatory statewide in 2013. "We’re getting started down this road at the worst possible time because of what is happening in the economy," board Chair Allan B. Taylor said. “But the kids that this will affect don't stop; they keep getting older…regardless of what’s happening in the economy." The plan now goes to the state legislature for approval. Source: Hartford Courant and New Haven Register (10/3/08)

OHIO LOSES CASE AGAINST CHARTER SCHOOL — The state has no authority to close charter schools because the schools are political subdivisions rather than charitable trusts, according to a common pleas court ruling. The state court judge issued this opinion when he dismissed a case originally filed by former Attorney General Marc Dann, who sought to close a Dayton charter school by contending that state has oversight of charters via the state’s charitable trust laws. There are still cases pending, however, against two other charter schools. Ohio has about 335 charter schools serving 80,000 students that are publicly funded but privately operated. While the decision was applauded by the Alliance for Public Charter Schools, the office of the Attorney General is considering filing an appeal. Source: Dayton Daily News (9/29/08)

NEW JERSEY ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL ON ACCESS TO STUDENTS’ CRIMINAL RECORDS — The New Jersey Assembly passed a bill that provides high school administrators access to adult student’s criminal histories. The bill requires that high school principals be made aware when any student age 18 or older is charged with certain criminal offenses. If the student transfers, the old school is required to share information with the new school. The bill was drafted by Assemblyman John Burzichelli after hearing that school administrators were unaware a 19-year-old senior who transferred to Glassboro High School was accused of rape. The measure is now headed to the Senate for consideration. Source: Associated Press (9/25/08)

NEW CALIFORNIA LAWS CRACK DOWN ON TEACHERS ACCUSED OR CONVICTED OF SEX OFFENSES — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two bills to keep teachers who commit sex crimes out of California’s public schools. One of the new laws allows the state to immediately revoke licenses from teachers who plead no contest to sex crimes or drug offenses without waiting the often two to three years needed for a discretionary review. This law also makes the results of the investigation available for five years as opposed to the current legislation that seals the case after one year. The second law gives the Credentialing Commission the ability to revoke teacher’s licenses automatically if a prior criminal conviction has limited their contact with children. Source: San Diego Union-Tribune (9/29/08)

ARIZONA INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS ASSOC. SEEKS CONTROL OVER EVENT REPORTAGE DISTRIBUTION; NEWSPAPERS FIGHTING THE RESTRICTIONS ­— The Arizona Interscholastic Sports Association and the Arizona Newspaper Association are at loggerheads over new restrictions the athletic federation is trying to dictate the way high school sports are covered by news organizations in the state. As part of the press credentialing process for state playoff games, the Interscholastic Association wants reporters and newspapers to sign an agreement to restrict the distribution of their news stories and to relinquish their copyrights to the stories and photos produced as part of their coverage of the events.

“Covering high school sporting events and the taking and use of photographs, including the sale of reprints from the photographs, are constitutionally protected activities,” said Paula Casey, the state newspaper association’s director. So far, newspapers continue to report on high school athletic events without credentials or the agreement, but the issue could come to a head when the fall state playoff season starts, the first of which—the 4A swim tournament—begins October 24. Source: Payson Roundup (9/19/08)

THE GREEN STATE PROMOTES SCHOOLS “GOING GREEN” — Vermont is sponsoring a statewide contest for middle and high schools to see how much the schools can reduce their carbon footprints. A $5,000 prize, donated by local businesses, is being offered to the top three schools that prove they have reduced their individual contribution to global warming. Nationwide, 450 independent teams of students are using the website, www.carbonrally.com, to work toward this environmental goal; Vermont is the first state to organize a statewide competition. The principal of the first contestant school in Northfield, VT said student involvement – learning by doing – was one of the best reasons for the contest and that he hopes many other schools will join his advanced environmental science class participants. Source: Montpelier Times Argus (9/24/08)

FOUNDATIONS STOP FUNDING ED IN ’08 — The Gates and Broad Foundations have ended funding for their issue advocacy campaign, Ed in ’08, satisfied that their goal of making education reform a top election issue has been realized. The organization was created with much fanfare 16 months ago due in large part to Gates’ massive financial resources. At the time, organizers suggested they could spend up to $60 million to generate a national discussion among aspiring officeholders, but especially the presidential candidates, about K-12 education. To date, the groups have spent approximately $24 million: $16 million by Gates, $8 million by Broad.

Supporters tout the 900 events, 33,000 petition signatures and the reference of some of their policy proposals in speeches by both Senators McCain and Obama as proof of the campaign’s effectiveness. Detractors, however, have criticized the initiative’s endorsement of national standards, sharp attack ads on the quality of public schools, and failure to prompt a meaningful debate about education policy. Source: Puget Sound Business Journal (9/26/08)

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