Muslims Turning to Home Schooling over Public Schools

"Resolute or fearful, many Muslims turn to home schooling," NYT, 3/26/08, at A14

-home schooling to preserve religious and cultural traditions, protect against prejudice, avoid corrupting influences

New Jersey Schools Prepare Response Plans in Response to Campus Shootings

See "In an era of school shootings, lockdowns are the new drill," NYT, 3/25/08, at B1

-threat preparedness plans growing at schools and colleges

Clash in Bethlehem PA over Hispanic School Board Pick

See "Clash in Pennsylvania over school board pick," NYT, 3/28/08, at A16

-debate over qualifications versus diversity in selecting school board members

Texas 10% Rule for College Admissions Working

See "Texas 10% admission could teach colleges a thing or two," USA Today, 3/28/08, at 8A

-top 10% of high school classes guaranteed admission to state universities in Texas causing much improved diversity

Close to 90% Fail Basic High School Math in Las Vegas

See "Math tests carry shock factor," Las Vegas Review-Journal, 3/28/08, at 1B

-close to 90% fail basic algebra, geometry in Clark County

New Law Law Review Article Regarding Harassment on University Campuses

In case you or your readers are interested, I have just posted on SSRN a new article that addresses higher education law. Specifically, my article argues that harassment typically falls outside of the scope of the First Amendment.
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1112189


I would be delighted to hear your comments.
Ken


Kenneth L. Marcus
Lillie and Nathan Ackerman Chair in Equality and Justice in America
and Visiting Professor of Public Affairs
Baruch College School of Public Affairs
The City University of New York
One Bernard Baruch Way, Box D-0901
New York, NY 10010

Office Location: 137 East 22nd Street, Room 403

Phone: 646-660-6989
Fax: (646) 660-6701
Email: Marcus_Kenneth@baruch.cuny.edu

--------------------------------------------------
View my research on my SSRN Author page:
http://ssrn.com/author=791913
--------------------------------------------------

States Disguise School Dropout Rates to Attempt to Comply with No Child Left Behind Act

See "States' inflated data obscure epidemic of school dropouts," NYT, 3/20/08, at A1

-common in many states including Miss., California, and Washington-2 sets of books
-only about 70% true graduation rate among 1 million students who start 9th grade

NY State Assembly Passes Bill Prohibiting Linking Teacher Tenure to Test Scores

See "Bill would bar linking class test scores to tenure," NYT, 3/18/08, at B5

-in wake of rule passed last year for new teachers linking tenure to review by peers and how well teachers use data

See also "Before giving teachers jobs for life, check kids' test scores", NYDN, 3/26/08, at 27

Harvard Law to Offer 3Ls Free Tuition if Pledge to Work in Public Service for Five Years

See "Harvard Law, hoping students will consider public service, offer tuition break," NYT, 3/18/08, at A14

-free 3L tuition if pledge five years to government or public service

Protesters Dispute NYCDOE's Tough Eighth Grade Promotion Policy

See "Protesters prep for panel's 8th grade vote," NYDN, at 14

-Panel for Education Policy to propose holding back 8th graders who flunk one of four subjects or standardized math/reading exam, follows cuts in school funding

-See also "Getting out of eighth grade gets harder," NYT, 3/18/08, at B3

-Panel approves 11-1, 8 of 13 on panel appointed by mayor

Helpful Link to School Law Resources

See helpful link from Adjunct Law Professor Blog
Useful School Law Resources

Connecticut Student Suspended for Buying Contraband Candy in School

See "Conn. School Backs Off Candy Punishment," Associated Press, 3/13/08

California state court rules parents need teaching credentials to legally home school their children

See "Court: Credential Needed to Home School," AP, 3/7/08

-166000 in California currently home schooled, rules against parent homeschooling for religious reasons

NY Archdiocese to Close/Merge 10 Grade Schools

See "Without a Prayer," NYDN, 3/8/08, at 19

-closing six elementary schools and merging four others

NYC Middle School Principal Convicted of Corporal Punishment to be Reassigned

See "Principal not coming back," NYDN, 3/5/08, at 34

-arbitrator finds Queens principal guilty of corp punishment and orders $6000 fine and 10 day unpaid suspension

NYC Schools Paying Students for Excellent Test Scores as Incentive Program to Excel

See "Next question: can students be paid to excel?", NYT, 3/5/08, at A1

-pilot programs at 200 schools in NYC

Arizona among Fifteen States Pushing to Allow Guns on Campuses as Response to Campus Shootings

See "Arizona weighs bill to allow guns on campuses," NYT, 3/5/08, at A10

-15 states have pending legislation to allow it as a response to protect against campus shootings

NYC Council Holds Hearings on Whether to Continue Mayoral Control of Public Schools

-See "After 5 years, City Council holds first hearing on Mayor's control of public schools," NYT, 3/4/08, at B3


-Council criticizes NYCDOE as too dictatorial, mayoral control to expire in 2009

UFT Critical of NYCDOE Move to Stop Medically Based Transfers

See "Ailing teacher denied wish for transfer to SI school," NYDN, 3/3/08, at 25

-English teacher David Irons denied medical based transfer, program stopped by NYCDOE since 2005, UFT critical of NYCDOE

NYC High School Must Take Back Teen Who Terrorized School Under Special Education Law

See "School in fear of terror teen," NYP, 3/2/08, at 11

-teen at Murrow HS suspended six times for bullying and fighting ordered to be returned under NCLB