Editor’s note: We’re going to try something new this morning – a quickie roundup of recent headlines that we think deserve your attention. In keeping with redefinED’s focus, we’ll put the spotlight on stories regarding school choice (vouchers, charters, tax-credit-scholarships, etc.) and/or speak to new definitions of public education.
Florida: A parent trigger bill clears a key Senate committee in an unusual Saturday morning vote. (Tampa Bay Times). A proposal to give charter schools more money for capital projects falters in the state House. (Tampa Bay Times.)
Arizona: Gov. Jan Brewer signs legislation that expands the state’s tax credit scholarship program. (Arizona Republic.)
Wisconsin: Voucher students in Milwaukee make bigger reader gains that peers in public schools, study finds. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.) Proposed voucher expansion could open private-school doors for parents in 37 school districts. (Appleton Post-Crescent)
Virginia: After the lieutenant governor casts a tie breaking vote in the Senate, the General Assembly gives final approval to a tax credit scholarship bill and sends it to the governor. (Washington Post)
Louisiana: Gov. Bobby Jindal’s legislative priorities include expansion of a voucher pilot program. (New Orleans Times Picayune). Critics question the accountability provisions. (New Orleans Times Picayune.)
Rhode Island: Applications vastly outnumber openings at Rhode Island charter schools. (Providence Journal)
New Jersey: Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker, a Democrat, backs much of Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s education reform plans, including expanded school choice. (Asbury Park Press)
Mississippi: Charter school expansion bill narrowly advances. (Associated Press)
South Carolina: Tax credit scholarship bill advances. (Associated Press)
(Image from gallantfish.com)