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Education Policy Center Newsletter

From The Independence Institute
June 3, 2010
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In this issue
-- TV Alert: Littleton, Johnston on Race to the Top and Common Core Standards
-- Backbone Radio Tonight: Pam and Ben Discuss Senate Bill 191
-- Save the Date: Annual Teacher Fellowship on June 23
-- Another Education Reform Film Screening: Come See The Lottery on June 8
-- iVoices and Ed Is Watching: Recent Education Policy Center Highlights

Dear Friends,

We hope you enjoy our latest update from the Education Policy Center, and may
our new logo bring some added cheer to your day!

Pamela Benigno, Director

Ben DeGrow, Policy Analyst
Marya DeGrow, Research Associate
Raaki Garcia-Ulam, School Choice Website Outreach Coordinator

TV Alert: Littleton, Johnston on Race to the Top and Common Core

Standards
Jon Caldara’s weekly TV show has a new look and a new name. The first
education-themed edition of The Devil’s Advocate features a lively debate
between State Board of Education member Peggy Littleton and State Senator
Michael Johnston: Are there too many strings attached to the U.S. Department of
Education’s Race to the Top grant application? Will Colorado have to give up
some of its local control over academic standards? In the Denver area, tune in to
KBDI Channel 12 this Friday at 8:30 PM, re-airing Sunday at 10:30 AM.

For more:
iVoices, Is Colorado Heading Toward National Tests?
Ed Is Watching, Raising Concerns about Race to the Top and Move Toward
National K-12 Standards

Backbone Radio Tonight: Pam and Ben Discuss Senate Bill 191
Now that Colorado has passed Senate Bill 191, the teacher tenure reform
legislation, where does the state go from here? Pam and Ben join host John
Andrews as guests on a special edition of Backbone Radio to help shed light on
the discussion. Other guests are State Senator Michael Johnston, State
Representative Carole Murray and former Commissioner of Education Dr. William
Moloney. Listen to 710 AM KNUS tonight at 7 PM or Sunday evening at the
same time.

For more:
Ed Is Watching, SB 191: Devil in the Council’s Details While Harrison Moves
Ahead on Evaluations

Save the Date: Annual Teacher Fellowship on June 23

Are you a public school teacher who doesn’t necessarily toe the union line? Or
do you know someone who is? Please save the date for the evening of
Wednesday, June 23, as the Education Policy Center hosts its annual
Independent Teachers summertime gathering. Refreshments will feature the
usual sandwiches and ice cream sundaes. A presentation and conversation
about the new teacher tenure and evaluation reform legislation, Senate Bill 191,
will be featured. More details and a formal invitation to come soon.

Another Education Reform Film Screening: Come See The Lottery on

June 8
This coming Tuesday, June 8, provides the opportunity to see a brand-new
education reform movie: “The Lottery is a feature-length documentary that
explores the struggles and dreams of four families from Harlem and the Bronx in
the months leading up to the lottery for Harlem Success Academy, one of the
most successful charter schools in New York.” Film location details can be found
here. Sponsored by a variety of education reform groups, the screenings in
Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins will feature panel discussions with
notable school leaders, officials and other reform advocates.

iVoices and Ed Is Watching: Recent Education Policy Center Highlights

Below are links to some items since our last newsletter that you may find of
interest. First, a couple new iVoices podcasts:
Rocketship Education: Innovative Charter School Network Blasting Off to Success
Bringing Balance to Grand Junction Classrooms

And some blogging highlights from Ed Is Watching and elsewhere:

Thank You, Education Action Group, for Spreading the Word on Union Release
Time
Let’s Find an Answer to Honor the True Spirit of the Innovation Schools Act
Adams 50 and SBS: Balancing the Equation with Some Parents’ Serious Concerns
Student-Employee Ratios Show There’s More to Recent Colorado K-12 Layoffs
Ninth Circuit Remediation: U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on School Choice Again
Some PR Advice for CEA from New Jersey (Ed News Colorado)

Contact Information
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email: pam@i2i.org
phone: 303-279-6536
web:http://www.independenceinstitute.org
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