Friday News Roundup: Week of February 28-March 1

At Ed Money Watch, we discuss and analyze major issues affecting education funding. In our Friday News Roundup, we try to highlight interesting stories that might otherwise get overlooked. These stories emphasize how federal and state policy changes can affect local schools and districts.

Kansas House Speaker Proposes Constitutional Amendment on School Funding

New Jersey Governor Proposes Changes to Teacher Evaluation, Compensation

Mississippi Governor Vetoes Community College Funding Bill

Bill in Washington Legislature would Allow School Districts to Shorten School Year, Furlough Teachers

Kansas House Speaker Proposes Constitutional Amendment on School Funding
This week, Kansas State House of Representatives Speaker Mike O’Neal introduced an amendment to the state’s Constitution that would put the legislature in charge of how much state aid goes to schools each year. Currently, the Constitution states that “The Legislature shall make suitable provision for finance of the educational interests in the state.” A 2005 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court required the legislature to increase funding for schools to meet this provision of the Constitution. The amendment proposed by Speaker O’Neal would allow the legislature to set school funding levels as it sees fit. The amendment would have to pass both the state House and Senate by a two-thirds majority and be approved by voters in the state to be adopted. More here…

New Jersey Governor Proposes Changes to Teacher Evaluation, Compensation
A task force commissioned by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s administration this week released recommendations for reforming the way teachers in the state are evaluated and compensated. Governor Christie expressed his support for the task force proposal to use student test outcomes to determine 50 percent of each teacher’s evaluation score. These evaluations would be used to determine how much teachers are paid, to decide whether or not they receive tenure, and to make firing and layoff decisions. Under current law, school districts can decide how to conduct their teacher evaluations. New Jersey’s largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, opposes the measure. They believe that student test scores are not a reliable enough measure to be used in teacher evaluations and compensation decisions. Governor Christie says some of the proposed changes can be implemented through regulations promulgated by the state’s education commissioner, while others will have to be approved in the legislature. More here…

Mississippi Governor Vetoes Community College Funding Bill
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour this week vetoed a bill that would set state aid for community colleges in fiscal year 2012 at the same level they received in the current fiscal year. The bill, which originated in the state Senate, was intended to go to conference committee with other appropriations bills, instead of to Governor Barbour’s desk for signature. But the state House of Representatives decided to vote on the Senate version and approved it. Though Governor Barbour vetoed the spending plan this time, he said he would support funding for community colleges at the proposed level if it comes to him again as part of a complete and responsible budget for all areas of state spending. Community college leaders have lobbied state lawmakers to increase their appropriation to help them deal with rising enrollment. More here…

Bill in Washington Legislature would Allow School Districts to Shorten School Year, Furlough Teachers
A bill under consideration in the Washington State Senate would allow school districts to shorten the school year by up to five days and furlough teachers to cope with large cuts in state aid. The legislature expects to make further cuts to the state education budget in fiscal year 2012 since the state will face a budget shortfall of almost $5 billion over the coming two years. Currently, state law requires a 180-day school year unless districts obtain a waiver from the state. The proposed bill would allow districts to shorten the school year to 175 days without a waiver. Opponents of the bill worry that the flexibility for school districts will disproportionately affect students living in poverty. In poorer districts, they argue, there are fewer options for making up for cuts in state aid. More here…