Quick Hits

Student achievement varies in Minnesota charter-school group: Although the five schools in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., in a charter project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation demonstrated high graduation rates and large numbers of students moving on to higher education, state test results don't show the same success. Two of the charter schools did not meet federal standards for adequate yearly progress on state tests, and the project director acknowledged a need for improvement at the underperforming schools. (Star Tribune)

Kansas says test results slide slightly with tougher standards: Kansas education officials say a downturn in student-assessment test scores this year is attributable to higher state curriculum standards. Overall, 87.6% of the state's schools made federal standards for adequate yearly progress, compared with nearly 90% in 2008. Officials warn that next year's results could decrease because of the effect of state budget cuts. "We've seen class sizes increase, support staff let go. All districts are doing the best they can, but there's not much more they can do," a state education official said. (The Kansas City Star)

Academics offer objections to Race to the Top criteria: Some education experts are concerned about Race to the Top funding guidelines, writes Education Week reporter Stephen Sawchuk in this blog post. Sawchuk is sifting through thousands of responses to the proposed federal rules, and he has found numerous objections and important questions about measuring teacher effectiveness. Scholars who study education are asking whether the research is there to back up reform efforts pushed for by the Obama administration. (Teacher Beat)

Program extends learning to after-school hours: An after-school program for students at a Utah elementary school is drawing praise from educators, parents and students. Students in the program, paid for with Title I stimulus funds, attend two 30-minute sessions Monday through Thursday at the year-round school, receiving instruction in one core subject and one elective. "It's giving students more learning time and giving English-language learners more time with programs in the computer lab. I think all this will have a great impact on their progress," the school's principal said. (The Salt Lake Tribune)

Educator provides insights on teaching inner-city students: In 1999, award-winning educator Gregory Michie wrote a book about his experiences as a white, middle-class teacher from North Carolina working at a Chicago school. Michie, now an associate professor of curriculum and instruction and elementary education at Illinois State University, discusses in an interview how to build trust with diverse students, the complexities of teaching low-income urban students and what it means to teach for social justice. (Teacher Magazine)

Boston teachers union forms pilot school: The Boston Teachers Union has opened a pilot elementary school, a move some say contradicts the union's past stance on such schools. The union has often opposed pilot programs in Boston, citing concerns over hiring and dismissal of teachers as well as longer work days. But union officials say that the Boston Teachers Union School will be able to showcase what good teachers can do, including an emphasis on teacher-student interaction. (The Boston Globe)

Flu concerns prompt schools to examine online learning options: Schools across the country are looking at technology options that will enable students to keep learning during an outbreak of the H1N1 virus, often called swine flu. But such options could also be useful during other school closures. Online learning plans at districts across the country include video lessons, online homework listings and e-mail submission of course work. The Education Department also announced a partnership with companies such as Google, Microsoft and Apple to use their resources in the event of mass closures. (Education Week)

Federal funds prompt some states to reconsider teacher evaluations: With their eligibility for Race to the Top stimulus funds at risk, officials in California and Wisconsin are working to lift bans on tying teacher evaluations to student test scores. Nevada has a similar law, but lawmakers do not reconvene until 2011, which might be too late to make the change, which is opposed by teachers unions. "I don't think the best approach in teacher evaluation comes from students' test scores," said Dave Harswick, a Wisconsin union leader. "It can be part of the picture, but it shouldn't be the whole picture." (The Associated Press)

ADHD education classes are targeted at parents: Classes offered through the advocacy group Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder help train parents and family members on coping and living with an ADHD child. Julie Igram, who teaches one of the Parent to Parent: Family Training on ADHD classes, says the more educated the family is, the more likely a child with ADHD will be successful in school and life. (The Des Moines Register)Iowa)