Quick Hits

Schools Would Get Big Boost in Stimulus Plan: Cash-strapped school districts could see an unprecedented $100 billion infusion of federal aid under a massive economic-stimulus package unveiled by House Democrats this week. The overall measure, put forth Jan. 15 by the House Appropriations Committee, is aimed at providing a $825 billion jolt to the stumbling U.S. economy, and to help avert what could be draconian cuts in state and local programs, including education. (KSBA)
Superintendent offended by Senator Wiliam’s remarks: Kentucky lawmakers have some big ideas to help the state save money — including eliminating the controversial CATS testing system, which would result in a shorter school year. Senate President David Williams has said that “there’s no instruction for 10 or 15 days after the (CATS) test (is administered),” and Sen. Joe Pendleton has estimated that as much as 30 days out of the school year is wasted on activities such as “pizza parties.”Local superintendents had varying responses to Williams’ comment and suggestions from other lawmakers that there really isn’t a “magic number” for how many school days should be in a school year. Science Hill Independent Superintendent Rick Walker was taken aback by Williams’ remark. (Commonwealth Journal)

School leaders: Don’t scrap CATS: While Kentucky lawmakers search for ways to cut education costs in a struggling economy, local school superintendents expressed their views to the Commonwealth Journal concerning one of senate leaders’ latest notions — eliminating the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System. Because the CATS test includes both multiple choice and open response questions, “we can look at the information and see ... is the student missing (answers) because he doesn’t know the content or because he can’t apply what he’s learned?” Somerset Independent Schools Superintendent Dr. Teresa Wallace said. (Commonwealth Journal)

Kentucky teachers among elite. Everyone 'highly qualified' in many districts: While some states struggle with getting a "highly qualified" teacher in every class, Kentucky ranks among the best.The latest statistics from the Kentucky Department of Education show that in the 2007-08 school year, 174,642 of Kentucky's 177,284 public school classes - or 98.5 percent - were taught by highly qualified teachers. (NKy.com)

CATS test seen as controversial: A centerpiece of the landmark 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act was its requirement for accountability testing.But the test is controversial and lawmakers are hearing from parents and teachers who don’t like CATS, the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System. (Commonwealth Journal)

Some lawmakers want to reduce number of school days: There is growing momentum in the Kentucky legislature to replace the current school accountability test but less noticed are hints from some lawmakers that eliminating the controversial CATS test might also allow a shorter school calendar...Sharon Oxendine, president of the Kentucky Education Association, said KEA members and representatives have heard the idea from some Senators.“But I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt out members would be in the streets again like they were in 2004 with the health insurance,” Oxendine said. She referred to a massive demonstration on the capitol steps that year by educators from across the state when Gov. Ernie Fletcher proposed higher premiums and out of pocket expenses for teachers’ and state workers’ health insurance. (Daily-Independent)

Senate hearing Tuesday spotlights school reform: Barack Obama's choice for education secretary, Arne Duncan, said Tuesday that the No Child Left Behind law should stop punishing schools where only a handful of kids are struggling. (AP)

Student takes the stand in trial of former teacher: The trial of a former teacher got under way Monday in Pike County District Court, and featured emotional testimony from a teen-age girl, who took the stand for the second time. Lincoln Shane Bentley faces two counts of first-degree official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor. Bentley was a former teacher and football coach at East Ridge High School. The charges allege that while a teacher at the school, Bentley asked a minor student to show him her breasts in exchange for a better grade. (Appalachian News-Express)

Teens bare all on phones. More 'sexting' nude pictures: In the Cincinnati area, where legend holds that trends come 10 years late, "sexting" arrived well ahead of time. Teens here are taking nude photos of themselves or others, sending them on their cell phones or posting them online. Some teens do it as a joke. For others, it's the new bold pickup line to get a date. (Cincinnati.com)

Rollins' priority: Preserving education funding: Rep. Carl Rollins, newly appointed chairman of the House education committee, says his priorities will be finding ways to control tuition increases and preserving funding for K-12 and post secondary education. (State-Journal)

Education chief won't repay cost of state car: Kentucky Education Commissioner Jon Draud now says he will not reimburse taxpayers for a car with $13,000 in add-ons that the state purchased at his request last year....Brothers said board members agreed to let him out of that commitment, as long as he agreed to waive the 90-day separation requirement stipulated in his contract. If the board had paid Draud for the remainder of the 90 days, it would have cost the state about $40,000. (C-J)

Ex-principal admits theft of $69,000 from school. Plea deal requires restitution, testimony: A former principal of Dixie Elementary School has pleaded guilty to four felony charges, including theft, in connection with his handling of school funds. Adrian Sanford agreed last month to a five-year prison sentence and to testify against his co-defendant, Toneke Bullitt, the school's former bookkeeper, who had a court hearing Wednesday. (C-J)

Schools’ goals reset for CATS testing: The use of concordance tables by the Kentucky Department of Education changed many schools’ 2008 Kentucky Core Content scores statewide, but the change has no effect on schools’ accountability judgments. The change will instead affect the 2009-10 testing cycle and beyond, according to KDE officials. (Glasgow Daily Times)