Denise Fawcett Facey

Does the following equation work: money plus rules equals school success? In this case, I’m not so sure, but the U.S. Department of Education is counting on it. Disbursing $3.5 billion in Title I School Improvement Grants, (which were included in the federal stimulus package last year) to all 50 states, they have also attached strings to the money. Specifically, the revamping of the poorest performing schools in every state (as determined by each state) must accompany the money, with the programs’ implementation beginning by September 1, 2010. And that’s not all. (more…)

Faced with a choice between political expedience and educational support, Florida Governor Charlie Crist chose to stand with teachers last week. Not a resident of Florida, I nonetheless cheer for Gov. Crist’s courage in the face of increasing indications that teachers are under siege.

Vetoing an unprecedented education bill that would have ended tenure for new teachers and based teachers’ salaries on merit pay, Gov. Crist bucked the current trend of politicians vilifying teachers and requiring them to bear the brunt of society’s misfortunes. (more…)

In the wake of the new student loan reforms enacted as additional provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, I’m wondering what benefits might accrue to recent college graduates. Don’t misunderstand me — the changes are laudable, but they appear to be aimed solely at addressing the needs of current and future college students.
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Foreclosures, unemployment rates — everywhere we turn, from television news reports to newspapers to friends and neighbors, we hear stories of the significant impact the poor economy is having on individual people’s lives. And, unlike past downturns in the economy, education has not been spared the harsh realities this time. (more…)