Friday News Roundup: Week of April 30-May 4

Hawaii teachers union leader wants to revisit contract members rejected earlier this year

Who would pay for proposed Michigan free-tuition plan with annual price tag in the billions?

University of Wyoming trustees hear that Gov. Mead’s request for 8 percent budget cuts will cost $15.6M

Louisiana panel rejects testing bill

Hawaii teachers union leader wants to revisit contract members rejected earlier this year
Facing the threat of losing $75 million in Race to the Top funds this year, the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) is asking teachers to reconsider a proposal for a new teacher evaluation system that incorporates student test scores in teacher ratings. HSTA members rejected the measure in January, citing that they didn’t have enough information or time to review the plan to make an informed decision. Without a comprehensive evaluation plan, the U.S. Department of Education is likely to rescind the state’s remaining Race to the Top funds. Hawaii governor Neil Abercrombie noted that a new “clear, current, and correct” agreement must be crafted and voted on because the original agreement is no longer valid. This time, HSTA will be invited to assist with development of the new teacher evaluation tools. More here.

Who would pay for proposed Michigan free-tuition plan with annual price tag in the billions?
This week, Democrats in the Michigan State Senate introduced legislation that would allow Michigan high school graduates to attend state colleges and universities for free. The proposal would be costly—an estimated $1.8 billion annually—and would be paid for with increased revenue from closing unspecified tax loopholes. Lou Glazer, founder of the think tank Michigan Future, testified that an investment in higher education is an investment in the economy. James Hohman from the Mackinac Center free-market think tank disagreed with Glazer’s analysis and contended that jobs, not better higher education, would strengthen the state’s economy. Based on the lack of support from Senator Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison), the Finance Committee Chairman, the bill is unlikely to pass. More here.

University of Wyoming trustees hear that Gov. Mead’s request for 8 percent budget cuts will cost $15.6M
According to an order from Governor Matt Mead, Wyoming must make steeper cuts to its fiscal year 2013 budget than anticipated. The culprit is the drop in natural gas prices from an expected $3.25 to $2 per thousand cubic feet. For each dollar reduction in natural gas prices, the state loses $200 million in revenue. As a result, state agencies—who were already preparing for a 4 percent cut in their budgets—must now brace themselves for an 8 percent cut. The University of Wyoming, which is the only four-year public university in the state, will see its budget cut by $15.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year. Because approximately 80 percent of the university’s budget accounts for personnel costs, the university will likely have to make cuts to staff in addition to athletic recruiting, student services, class sizes, and scholarship money. More here.

Louisiana panel rejects testing bill
Louisiana’s House Education Committee rejected a Democrat- proposed bill that would allow students—with parental permission—to opt out of taking state academic assessments. The measure was rejected by a vote of three in favor to twelve against. Representative Patricia Smith (D-Baton Rouge), the bill’s sponsor, defended the bill by calling it a vehicle to increase parental choice. Erin Bendily, an assistant deputy superintendent for the state Department of Education, attacked the legislation and noted that testing requirements are mandated at the federal level, not the state level. More here.