JANUARY, 1998		PUBLIC EDUCATION
102	Editor	DC School Trustees: Year One--taken aback by size of dysfunction; culture accepts failure; eval a joke
102	Strauss	GWU Takes Control of DC College--Mt. Vernon to become women's campus--27 acres
103	Shniderman ltr	Alice Deal: Oasis Among DC Schools--most schools don't do as well--
104	Hawkins	To Make Dreams Come True, Black parents must push their children to excel--many sit back
106	Wilgoren	School Board Elects New President--Wilma Harvey replaces Reeves--says will work with trustees
107	Locy	Control Board Erred Naming Trustees for Schools, Court Rules--cannot delegate authority outside?
107	Benning	Virginia Plan to Overhaul Licensing of Teachers Sparks Dispute Over Academic (Specialty) Training
108	Vise/Wilgoren	Control Board Considers Taking Over DC Schools--OK by Becton--Norton/Davis "told you so"
108	Editor	The Control Board and the Court--gives little cause for school board celebration--board can reorganize
108	Staff	How DC Schools Rate in Math Reading Skills--complete tabulation by school--results ghastly
108	Wilgoren/Vise	DC Schools Covered Taxes in Bonuses--Becton says 3 officials to repay extra funds
108	Mooar/Wilgoren	DC Schools Pay Bonuses to 3 Officials: Williams, Ackerman, Brooks to share $70K for sign on, performance
108	Haggerty	Little Progress Made on Disposal of Old Schools--due to legal problems, community opposition
108	Sanchez	Urban School Problems: unstable leaders, huge bureaucracies, special interests $4500 v $5066/student
108	Sanchez	Urban Students Not Making the Mark--majority (60%) score below 'basic' level--many problems cited
109	Benning	Fairfax Superintendent Requests 5.9% Increase in School Funding--hi-tech, etc. supervisors balk
109	Babington	MD Gov Glendening Jacks Up School Aid Proposal--$635M for state colleges, $225 to public schools
110	Wilgoren	4 Dissatisfied Parents Groups Want Elected School Board Restored, but Control Board keep veto power
111	Brown	MD ready to Tackle Certified-Teacher Shortfall in Pr. George's--12.8% way of line for MD,VA: DC n/a
111	Frazier	Robust Economy to Drive MD State Legislature to school funding boost--shows huge aid to local districts
111	Milloy	Low Test Scores Demand Better Answer--terrible scores--like 94% below grade in math in 14 of 18 HS's
112	Wilgoren	School Officials' Pay, Bonuses Called Wrong Signal--high salaries bother some, Becton says needed
113	Vise/Wilgoren	DC Repairs of Schools Criticized: audit says practices cost $7.2M--left door open to fraud--not found
113	Shen	Montgomery County Schools to Revamp Expulsion Policy--make 'em tougher after report on violence
114	Sherwood (GC)	An Incomplete Success--suggests that Becton and Ackerman report to Brimmer/Barnett to run schools
115	Constable	Rep Moran Hopes to Validate School Panel--Lawmaker Plans Bill on DC Trustee Board--Brimmer Agrees
115	Thompson	Controversial Garvey Principal (Anigbo) Fired (by Board) --tenure ends amid allegations of theft
115	Constable	Re School Panel: Norton wants elected Board back; Brownback, Patterson, Barry want Becton out
116	Editor	Generals and Auditors--concern over audit showing waste, poor emergency contracting by Becton
116	Strauss	Firing of Charter School Principal Upheld in Court--parents' suit to keep Anigbo has no legal standing
116	Staff	Rep Tom Davis to Hold Hearings on School System--bonuses, contract audit, etc.--calling in GAO
117	Harris	School Committee Hears About Food, Bus Problems--Chavous angered by lack of special ed progress
117	King	Lesson of Test Failures: (Taylor Clucks; Ackerman calls 'educational genocide')--is parents', adults' fault
117	Editor	Almost All in the Family: Anigbo Problems at Marcus Garvey no laughing matter for 130 enrolled kids
117	Editor	Report on (US) Urban Education--abysmal results by 11M public school kids: 40% 8th Graders can't read
121	Milloy	Parents Teach Crucial Lessons: Path to Honor--Hard Work, Loving Parents--plus character, energy, etc.
121	Staff	Schools Want $5M for Remedial Programs--mainly for 20,000 ikds to attend catch-up summer school
122	Strauss	Activists, Parents Say Schools Little Better Under Becton, question student count, repairs, security, etc.
122	Staff	Elected School Board to Probe Finances of Garvey School--problems with Anigbo, brother-in-law, etc.
122	Editor	Who Is Running the Schools? Board should reconstitute trustees as advisory bd--as court suggested
123	Staff	DC Medicaid Recipients to Get Choice of 7 HMOs--effects 80,000--but not 50,000 elderly/disabled
124	Strauss	Control Board Sees Need to Keep UDC--if it adjusts focus to help graduates get jobs--some critical
124	Williams	DC Council Member Chavous Makes Surprise Lunch Appearances--testing disliked prepackaged food
125	Strauss	Garvey's New Leader Has Attendance Problem--only half of students showing up after Anigbo firing
125	Falk (ltr)	Let Them Swim!--Only 1 of 5 high school swimming pools is operational--teams try to train dry--a sham!
127	Brown	7-10 Pr. George's Schools to Get BdofEd Ultimatum: Worst Must Improve or Face MD State Takeover
128	Nakashima	A Proposal to Patch up VA Schools--Democrats push huge renovation plan using $350M lottery profits
128	Tapscott	Officials Say Clinton Plan Offers Limited Relief for Local Schools--$3.2M for DC, $14.7 for MD, $16.4 for VA
129	Brown	9 Pr. George's Schools Under Threat of Takeover--MD State School Bd wants fast action on low scores
129	Strauss	UDC Law School Loses Another Bid for Provisional Accreditation--uncertain finances, office quarters
130	Staff	School Workers Will Not Strike--agreement reached on raises and back pay
130	Lengel	Ex-Library Director (Franklin--for 22 years) Indicted on Charges of Defrauding DC of $20K+
131	Brown/Meyer	Getting Troubled (MD) Schools Back on Track--won't be easy to improve 9 underachievers

FEBRUARY, 1998
202	Wilgoren	Struggle to Learn: Exercises in Frustration at PR Harris (School): lack of supplies, student & teacher skills
203	Strauss	DC School Headcount Disputed--Critics say 77,111 too high--given pop'n drop, rise in private school use
203	Staff	DC High-schoolers Begin Capitol Hill Internships--first 100 students particpate in Norton plan
204	Vise/Weil	UDC Firings Excessive, Says Judge: Control Board Must Honor Union Pact re 1-yr sev. pay or notice
204	Wilgoren	Special-Ed Chief (Myers--hired by ConBd) Leaves DC Schools after year--backlogs, shortages persist
205	Shen	Montgomery County Schl Bd OKs ($941.7M) Budget Focusing on Smaller Class Size--add 258 teachers
205	Vise/Strauss	Control Board to Appeal Ruling that UDC Firings Were Unlawful for not paying severance--can't afford it
205	MacLaury oped	DC Schools Need Leadership--Not Volunteer 'Advisory Board'--key actions on hold--need authority to act
205	Editor	Academic Paralysis 101--PR Harris School's severe problems need drastic action--are they getting it?
206	Wilgoren	School Bd Still In Legal Limbo--trustees' appeal extended, elected board hopes to regain power
207	Brown/Frazier	Pr. George's Schl Bd Backs Power Sharing Plan (7-2)--more state aid, end to busing--kids now 74% black
207	Editor	A School System Without Oversight--Control Board must act fast to find role for trustees, other groups
212	Staff	Montgomery Schl Bd Approves Teachers' (and Staff) Contracts--new collaborative approach by unions
212	Vise/Wilgoren	DC Trustees Still Have Place in Control Bd's School Plan--advice to get 'great weight'--over elected board
213	Strauss	Unsatisfied (Elected) School Bd Back in Court--fighting trustees' new role set by Control Bd
213	Brown	Pr. George's Schools Chief Vows to Ease Book Shortage--parents, officials demand answers
215	Ruane	Class Size Big Issue in Montgomery Cnty--to add 238 tchrs to get below 20--125Kstudents, $942M budget
215	Editor	Control Board's Blind Spot--reinstating Bd of Trustees is arrogant, ineffective--should turn to elected mbrs
217	Harvey (ltr)	Leadership DC's Elected School Bd Can Provide--new pres offers to reflect voice of community, etc.
219	Strauss/etc.	City School Officials Want (19%) Bigger Budget for 'mamoth reform' --raises, special ed, summer school
219	Staff	State Farm Ins. Donates $100K to Howard University for freshman scholarships in insurance, actuarials
220	Brown	Pr George's School Bd Passes $858M budget for 182 schools for 127,500 students in '98-99
221	Mathews	In VA, Tighter Standards Squeeze Would-be Teachers--35% fail Praxis writing/math tests
221	Havemann	Benefactors Create Their Own School Voucher Programs-2 in DC offer $6M for 1000 scholarships
222	Strauss	Private Schools Make Parents Apply Themselves: admissions dance intensifies wth entry demand
222	Leopold/Scott	Charter Schools: MD dragging its feet....VA rushing in with few facts--real promise vs diverted resources
222	Strauss	Some DC Teachers Become Students of Higher Academic Stds: retraining teachers to take years
222	Singer	DC Public Schools: Train the Teachers--most efficient way to invest money and time for kids' futures
224	Shen	Montgomery School Bd Approves Cuts--concern for possible reduction in teachers: $956M '99 budget
225	Wilgoren	DC School Official Resigns Opns Post: COO Gen Williams; DCSS Gen Counsel Wirtz resigns after 9 yrs
225	Sanchez	US High School Seniors Rank Near Bottom of 21 nations--Europeans Score Higher in Math, Science
225	Wilson	Howard County School Board Adopts Spending Plan--10% increase to $278M for 40,000 students
226	Shen	Montgomery School Board's Trim List Puzzles Some--teacher cut-back could hurt class-size initiative
226	Staff	School Trustee Case Going Back to Court--due to Bd of Education federal court challenge
226	Editor	A New School System Test--now that COO Williams has resigned--rest of school system on the line
227	Benning	Fairfax School Can Do Better--Board focusing on ' regular students'--talented vs challenged of 150K total
228	Editor	Math, Science--and Workplace: how fill high-tech jobs with US HS grads trailing all but Cyprus, SoAfrica?
228	Gaines	Making Promise to At-Risk DC Youths--Powell's Alliance for Youth makes MacFarland first 'School of Promise'
228	Montgomery	Georgetown U Plans Complex w/ 800-bed Dorm, dining hall, parking garage--delights Burleigh neighbors
228	Strauss/Vise	(COO Williams Sudden) Resignation May Stall DC School Repairs--at critical time in facilities contracting

MARCH, 1998
304	Staff	School Emergency Trustees Return to Action with redefined status, legitimacy declared by Control Board
305	Frazier	Pr. George's Reaches Pact on Busing--25 yr-old segregation case settled, if county picks up more school $s
306	Staff	Another DC School Official Resigns--Richard Wenning--consultant to public charter schools
309	Wilgoren	School Trustees' Closed Sessions Draw Protests, Possible Challenge--parents, officials fed up
309	Staff	Coming Up This Week--Sen Brownback will hold hearings on school repairs, GAO audit
310	Wilgoren	Senator Seeks School Probe--Brownback suspects 'fraud' in DC roofing contract--hints from auditor
311	Mathews	New VA State Exams Get First Test--44 questions said to measure students' english skills--200K+ students
311	Nakashima	VA School Plan Wins Praise--Manassas Officials Upbeat--new construction of $1.7M (259KVA students)
311	Shen	In Montgomery, Move Towards Charter Schools--Board proposes guidelines for allowing them
312	Loeb/Wilgoren	School Finance Chief Brouhaha: Becton Resists Finance Chief Williams' Firing Finance Officer, loses
312	Staff	DC High School Top Achievers--Public Schools Show 233, Private Schools 241 A Honor Roll Students
313	Perez-Rivas	Montgomery's Duncan Disappoints School Board, proposed $1.02B budget will still mean 'painful cuts'
313	Strauss	Parents Debate Vouchers on Hill--residents spar over GOP proposal--provide $3200 each, 2000 students
313	Editor	Governing Behind Closed Doors--treating parents, officials, etc, as meddlers is serous self-defeating blunder
314	Editor	Mr. Robinson's Day School--now convicted on fraud, got $875K contract for Kedar School--no experience
314	Editor	To the End of Busing--historic and happy ending to court-ordered busing--Annapolis could still overturn
314	Wilgoren	Becton Says He'll Bar Non-resident Students--ban pledged in time for summer school
315	Don Brown oped	To Reconstruct DC's Schools--volunteer monitoring repairs/upgrades--big job, needless carping hinders
316	Strauss	File Disarray Causes Some DC Teachers to Bail Out--educators, officials decry lousy record-keeping
317	Wilgoren	DC Schools' Special Education Plan Approved by DoE--releases $3.75M--$37M goesd for private tuitions
318	Shen	Montgomery School Districting Plan Decried by Silver Spring parents--will bring crowding poverty kids
318	Wilgoren	DC School Task Force (on diversity) Plans to Quit--says ignored --officials claim no warning, or contact
320	Frazier	Final Accord Reached on Ending Prince George's Busing: Curry, BdofEd Chairman, NAACP Chairman
320	Wilgoren	Citing Infighting, Key DC School Official (Brown) Resigns--repairs advisor cites politics, turf battles
321	Mills	DC Schools Seek Internet Funding--plan $45M program to fiber-optic wire all 5500 classrooms
321	Brown	Pr. George's Schools Accord Pushes Changes--superintendent talks tough--will fire to improve academics
323	Slevin	A New Way to See the Future--'See Forever' School with high-powered backers aim to help troubled teens
324	Strauss	UDC 'Progress' Means More Cuts--3 degrees (to 73), 9 teachers cut; down to 4755 enrolled, $37.8M frm DC
326	Wilgoren	Emergency Trustees Tie DC Student Promotions to Test Scores, agree to sell 2, long-lease 2 schools
327	Wilgoren	Becton's Likely Successor Has Already Made her Mark--Ackerman has reorganized whole school system
327	Strauss/Loeb	A General's Strategy Backfires--lacked vision, skills, flexibility--tuned out elected board, parents groups
328	Loeb/Strauss	Despite Efforts, DC Schools, Police Still Troubled--Council blames Control Board--'too many incompetent mgrs'
328	Williams	Ladner Optimistic on School Shake-up--Control Board Picks Ackerman as Superintendent--as promised
330	Wilgoren	At DC Schools, Unfinished Business--Becton initiatives overshadowed by chaos in pay, supplies, spec ed etc.
331	Howe	U MD Gets $15 Million from Area Developer--Smith gift goes to business school

APRIL, 1998
401	Staff	Ministers Denounce Scholarship Proposal--that would provide $3200 for 1000 kids to go to private schools
404	Pierre et al	Pr. George's School Formula Rejected by MD House--action jeopardizes agreement to end busing
404	Strauss	DC Funds Pledged for Summer Classes--Control Board to find $10M for up to 20,000 lagging students
405	Editor	School Sabotage in Annapolis--game-playing and financial finagling in Annapolis killing serious plan
405	Spinner	PG's Curry Blasts Governor (Glendening) on Pr. George's School Deal --trying to hoodwink County
406	Wilgoren	Testy About DC Exams--parent activists decry push to prepare students--replacing regular lessons
407	Editor	DC Budget News--and Blues--'99 budget plan sensible--til new PSFO finds $60M due to poor oversight
407	Pierre	MD's Glendening Presses School Funding--lawmakers slam Curry Comments--has he lost his mind?
407	Vise/Wilgoren	DC Schools Face Sudden $60M Deficit--failure to dismiss 400+ employees cited--nobody followed up orders
408	Pierre	Curry Urges PG Legislators to Back School Funding--to provide extra construction funds
409	Vise/Wilgoren	DC Schools to Fire, Furlough Employees--system facing $62M deficit--in part by not firing 440 last fall
409	Pierre	House Again Cripples Pr. George's School Bill, rejecting proposal to increase construction funds
409	Staff	Control Board Approves School Policy--pass std math/reading tests, or do well in summer school to advance
410	Jeter	Minnesota to Build State-Run Boarding Schools for Needy Children--hybrid between orphanage, prep school!
411	King	The Media's Education on DC Schools--permissive and slack stewardship made mess possible
413	Mathews	On Question of Schools, Area Students Face Multiple Choices--in high schools as well as colleges
414	Strauss	Pact on DC School Repairs Disputed--DC Procurement Chief won't approve Becton/Corps of Engrs deal
414	Editor	Mediating School Governance--Court gives DC one more chance--oughta transition back to elected board
414	Pierre	MD Assembly Approves Pr. George's School Construction Funding--should settle 1972 busing suit
415	Melton	VA Gov Gilmore Backs Long-term State Role in Building Schools
415	Benning	N VA Schools Expect Less Construction Money Than Others in smaller, poorer districts
415	Vise/Wilgoren	Becton Tried to Resign Over $62 M Deficit--$39M due to too low base for 8623 FTE's?? not really sure yet
416	Vise/Wilgoren	DC Schools Chief Hastens Departure--Becton Says Bosses Assailed Integrity--will go Apr 30, 2 mos earlier
416	Staff	City Launches School-Religious Partnership--churches to adopt a school, provide tutors, mentors, etc.
418	Editor	Want toHelp DC Schools?--join volunteers pitching in to paint, fix-up DC schools
418	King	The Children Aren't Fooled--they see what's going on in nasty falling out between Becton, Control Board
420	Benning	Year-Round Classes in Fairfax: elementary school first to try longer (11-mos) schedule
421	Mathews	Uproar Over VA Education Standards; objections to staff-sought delay in action against failing schools
421	Staff	Improvements Sought in School Lunches via citizens advisory panel, consultant
422	Wilgoren	Cuts Weren't Enough, School Finance Chief Says--$36M budget cut not reflected in personnel levels
422	Staff	UDC Trustees Approve Julius Nimmons as 6th president in 20 years--eliminated $18.2M deficit
422	Staff	Ad Campaign to Push School Choice--$130K ad campaign to push $3200 voucher for 2000 DC students
423	Staff	'1125 Howard Faculty Members Get Boost in Pay--average salaries up to 90% of AAUP average
424	Editor	Just Fix the School Problem--re $62M deficit: severe management and personnel problems still unfixed
424	Dewar	Senate Passes Expanded School Tax Breaks Bill--Veto Called Likely--to make $2K tax-free set aside
425	Staff	Students Named Presidential Scholars--8 of 141 from DC area, 3 from DC all from private schools
425	Staff	Threat Spurs Quick Payments on Tuition--DC owes $2.5M/mos to 27 private schools doing special ed
426	Vise	DC School Vouchers on Verge of Passage--Clinton Veto to Follow House Vote--arguments rage pro/con
427	Twomey	The District's New Rulers Step Boldly Out of Hiding--ridicules first open meeting of school trustees
428	Brown	Plan for Nine Pr. George's Schools Seeks to Avoid Takeover by State--smaller classes, parent involvement
428	Vise	DC May Boost Education Funding--$121 M increase for better academic program, higher special ed costs
428	Staff	City Faces $5000 Daily Fine for Late Tuition Payments to Some of 40 Special Ed Schools
429	Vise/Strauss	Control Board Wants UDC Law School to be Self-Supporting--gets $2.8M from DC--170 students v 284 in '94
430	Staff	Dean of Embattled UDC Law School to Leave--Robinson only dean since Council created it in '86
430	Wilgoren	1001 DC Students Win $1700 Scholarships--lottery awards private money toward private school tuition

MAY, 1998
501	Vise	District School Voucher Bill Gets Congressional Approval--$3200 each for 2000 --last best hope for some
501	Wilgoren	Becton Leaves the Fray, Eludes the Limelight--on last day appointee promises 'open letter' on problems
502	Vise	Proposed School Cuts Opposed by Council--Patterson/Ambrose to add limits--spec ed costs reach $48K
504	Strauss	(17 New) Charter Schools Face Tests in Rush to Get Ready--4 big, some very small--avg 273 students
507	Wheeler	Volunteers Respond to Plight of DC 'Reading is Fundamental' Program--RIF office burglarized
507	Staff	Control Board OKs Sale of Richardson School for $650K; leases Woodridge for $70Kpa; Slater, $77K
508	Struass	Ackerman Excludes Some Programs From Possible Cuts--will cut 723 employees, 175 staff, 300 custodians
509	Strauss	New Schools Chief Says Heads Will Roll--expects housecleaning, refusing excuses,20K summer students
510	Ackerman ltr	DC Schools, Promises we intend to keep: longer hours, kids tests, staff evals, clear goals, answers, etc.
510	Ackerman ltr	DC Schools, Promises we intend to keep (cont): no social promotions, up to 20,000 in summer school
511	Raspberry	We Are Asking the Wrong Question: not how to save affirmative action, ask why don't black kids do better
512	Editor	A New Era for DC Schools: Ackerman needs help and time to achieve goals, saddled with convoluted gov't
512	Wilgoren	Struggle to Learn in a DC School--schools rely on intensive reading program to boost scores, enthusiasm
514	Strauss	Parents Watching as Schools Begin Assessments of Principals at 146 schools--scoring system given
517	Julius Becton ltr	The Charter School Parade--no one certifying; paying more per student; no provision to return $ if kids quit
517	Sen. Jeffords	Get Behind Arlene Ackerman--Becton took bum raps for years of school neglect: help Ackerman do job
518	Strauss	DC School Chief Hits Familiar Barriers to Reform--personnel, funds, bosses--activists want quick reforms!
519	Strauss	(Elected) School Board Revokes Marcus Garvy Charter (7-1)--only 73 kids left for new priest/principal
520	Strauss	Garvey School Board May Sue to Save School, despite charge of 'pattern of fiscal mismanagement'
521	Staff	Clinton Vetoes DC School Voucher Bill because it favors some students, doesn't fix schools
521	Editor	Charters: Unsettled Issues--who's ensuring Garvey experience won't be repeated--more kids suffer?
521	Strauss	Groups (PU, COPE) Seek Raises for DCPS: teacher pay starts 10%, principals 20%, below MC,Fairfax
523	Horwitz	Poll finds Backing for DC School Vouchers: 60% blacks, 43% whites, 70% parents support idea
524	Walden ltr	Vouchers Deserved a Chance--any way to save a child from jail or dropping out is worthwhile
527	Miller	Ex-DC Library Chief Pleads Guilty to lesser offense than stealing--conflict of interest plea could get probation
527	Editor	Mr. MacLaurey Steps Down--those in command of schools need to set aside differences for kids' sake
527	Strauss/Vise	Head of DC School Trustees Resigns: Brimmer forces retirement, no reason, Maudine Cooper takes over
528	Strauss	After Garvey Decision, Doubts About Charter Schools--new concerns over accountability by school board
530	Strauss	DC Schools Get Late Start Again on Summer Repairs-- contracts not signed for 36 schools--activists flap
531	Strauss	Confusion Still Rules at DC Schools--who is in charge remains question--MacLaury irked Ackerman,
531	Baker/Loughlin	Chartering a New Course for DC Schools--DC Public Charter School Board will assure accountability

JUNE, 1998
603	Horwitz	Schools' Student Tally Accurate, Auditor Says: 77,111 'fairly stated' for 146 schools but 'no one accountable'
604	Staff	Judge Says Schools Violated Disabilities Act--untimely delays in evaluating special ed entitlements
607	Ltr/Bardonille	Upgrading Public Classroom--why DC needs charter schools--unlike Becton, says DCPS needs enrichment
607	Ltr/Whiteman	Upgrading Public Classroom--why VA needs higher stds/performance--current tests not good enough
607	Horwitz/Strauss	Important Summer for DCPS--mandatory classes key to raising stds, promotions: 1000 tchers, 76 schools
609	Strauss	DC Schools' Test Scores Rebound--'solid growth' claimed (but not released), all grades tested
609	Strauss	DC Schools' Test Scores Rebound (cont)--Chief of DCPS Personnel resigns: improvements expected
610	Staff	Charter School Postpones Opening--by one year: K-5 school won't be ready on time
610	Strauss	Superintendent Ackerman Freeing Federal School Funds--from tangled controls within DCPS
611	Strauss	DC School Test Results Seen as 'Progress'--some improvement but more 'below basics' than nat'l stds
613	Editor	DC School Test Scores Looking Up--Ackerman says show "solid progress", but no leaps and bounds
615	Strauss	DCPS Cuts Jobs--Chief laying off 175 of 646 central admin/staff--rooting out (1000's?of) non-res students
615	Strauss	DCPS Chief revamping dysfunctional personnel office--hired former pers. head of Sacremento Unified SDist.
616	Staff	UDC Censured for (125) Faculty Layoffs by Am Assn of University Profs--no direct effect on colllege
617	Editor	School Vouchers in Milwaukee--experiment OK'd by WI courts: can yield nearterm help--still gotta fix schools
618	Staff	Sale of DCPS Armstrong School for $1.5M to Charter School OK'd, Ackerman named 'state education officer'
619	Editor	Superintendent, not Supplicant--Ackerman gotta change petty bureaucrat stalling--w/Council,Control Bd help
619	Strauss	DCPS Firing 400 (more) Employees--over earlier 175 FTEs--includes 300 in custodial jobs--may be 3rd wave
620	Strauss	Ackerman Better Paid than Many Area Peers @$150K+benefits, like Fairfax, Montgomery, but above PG
621	Lipton	Hard Lessons/The Struggles of Prince George's Schools--system beset by problems, poor tests, tchrs, etc..
622	Brown	Hard Lessons/The Struggles of Prince George's Schools--superintendent tries moving a mountain
623	Nakashima	Montgomery Teachers Lose 10% Pension Supplement--MC School Bd's decision met with anger
623	Frazier	Hard Lessons/The Struggles of Prince George's Schools--where there's never enough continuity, parents, $
624	Lipton/Frazier	Hard Lessons/The Struggles of Prince George's Schools--even the affluent forced to make hard decisions
625	Thompson/Strauss	Charter Board Appeals to House Panel for More $--$12.2M not enough--DCPS,MPD want higher pay
625	Greene/Strauss	Staff Changes on Hold at DC School of Arts--Ellington teachers'removal by temporary principal investigated
625	Strauss	School Users Get Boot or Bill--free use by YMCA, non-profits, costs DCPS $2M they don't have
625	Loeb	Control Board Agrees to Fully Fund (w/$2.2M) Youth 6-wk Summer Jobs Program: business helps only 7%
626	Strauss	Of 77,111 official school students, 12,878 did not return residency verification forms--Ackerman to probe
626	Strauss	Some 6-wk Summer School Students May be Turned Away--over 20K signed up--1300 tchrs, 80 sites
627	Staff	Control Board Votes to Sell Bruce Elem School Building to Charter School for $412K
629	Nakashima	Montgomery Debates School Chief's Successor--students now 45% minority--nat'l search? new ideas?
629	Strauss	Thousands Head for Summer School--7400 mandatory, 20K total--feds paying bill--MC has 13K, Ffax, 11K.
629	Broadway	Becton Speaks Out and Up for Schools--did Lord's work, kept bus on bridge--too many ego-driven critics
630	Strauss	DC Schools fire 48 in Personnel Dept:--to 'clean up dysfunctional office', bad record-keeping--only 14 left--
630	Benning	Fairfax May Reward Use of Uniforms--Board considers student incentives to improve discipline, self-esteem
630	Strauss	DC Summer School Starts Without Major Snags--large numbers show up to trade leisure for learning

JULY, 1998
701	Editor	Fired By the Schools: Ackerman has grit to clean house--more staff should go in other dysfunctional offices
703	Matthews	2000 Students Overflow DC Summer Schools--part of national effort (!) to raise student standards
703	Harris	Brazil's Vision for Education--tougher standards, alt schools for troubled kids--yr-rd, all-day school use
707	Finn, Manno etc.	Charters: After Marcus Garvey--visits to 80 schools 15 states--issue of accountability is key--but don't overkill
707	Strauss	DC School Chief Sets Ambitious Agenda--like Seattle, Sn Frisco, Chicago--personnel, academics, orgnzn
708	Staff	Director Named for Charter School Board--Nelson Smith moves from policy/planning at Emergency Board
709	Strauss	DC Summer School Still Scrambling for Supplies, Teachers--22K students show up for reading, math
709	Frazier	Prince George's Teachers Discouraged--employee survey: low morale, poor facilities, bad mgmt/board
713	Strauss	(16 New) Charter Schools Strive to Get Ready--half lack leases, renovation, students--insufficient funding
715	Staff	UDC President Appoints Provost and VP academic Affairs--Beverly Anderson at UDC since 1969
717	Mathews	Opting Out of DC School System: Paul Junior High to become Charter school--730 students, high rating
717	Strauss	Despite Repairs, DC Schools Will Open on Time, Officials Say--Judge Christian now out of loop
718	Goldstein	Harbinger of Change for Hospital for Sick Children--big staff changes, reductions, less than 50% beds used
719	Struck	DC Special Ed System Still in Disarray--Rpt shows 4500-kid eval backlog;runaway costs of priv schls, atty fees
719	Struck(cont)	DCPS $545M FY99 budget has $125M for 8179 spec ed kids (out of 77K): more coming: 2x suburban costs
724	Strauss	Principals Targeted in Schools Shake-up--staff reductions done, now Ackerman goes after top, some new hires
724	Strauss (cont)	Ackerman seeking help/advice/names from school experts nationwide--re personnel, accountability
723	Strauss	First Day of School Sept.1: not clear why starting before Labor Day--kids did get their 180 days last year
725	Mathews	Week of Swelter Takes Toll on Learning--many of 24,500 students in non-airconditioned classrooms
725	Staff	Hearing Set on Ending 25 years of Race-based Busing in Prince George's--return to neighborhood schools
728	Frazier	Blacks' Poor MD Test Scores Probed--PG below MC @ 21%blk pass vs 52%wht, and Howard @ 26% vs 51%
729	Struck	FBI Probes Special-Ed School Used by DC: inflated bills, no teaching, amounts to mobile baby sitting
730	Strauss	Numbers Problem in DC School--system having trouble counting ( 24.5K summer) kids: old tech, untrained

AUGUST, 1998
801	Strauss	DC's Ackerman to Name 39 Principals--replacing total staff at SE's Shadd--activists claim took too long
804	Strauss	UDC Chief Forces Financial Review--Nimmons calls for review of actions by 2 prior cfo's now with CFO
812	Strauss	Finances at UDC Are Focus of 2 Probes by IG's Office--unpaid teachers, unrecovered parking costs
813	Staff	DC Parent Training and Info Center, funded by federal Dept of Education, to help parents get needed data
814	Strauss	Charter Schools Pulling from DC System--100 of 4500 teachers, 3500 of 76000 students--worries officials
816	Editor	School Board's Last Chance--reverts to home rule mid-2000; but same old dismal candidates running!
817	Strauss	Troubled DC School (PR Harris in SE) Improves, Keeps staff, principal now permanent--was among 21 worst
818	Editor	The Public Schools Succession--liberal charter schools policy--gotta get two (3?) school boards together
819	Gray	Gen. Powell Urges City Schools to Put Kids First--'America's Promise' hopes to 'adopt' 4000 schools USwide
819	Mathews	Candidates Evans,Chavous Seek Charter Schl Moratorium--N Smith says claims of draining exaggerated
820	Loose	Reaching Way Out to Help--Freddie Mac commits 3-yr $2M fund to transform school--and neighborhood
821	Strauss	Students Must Prove Residency or pay $4700-6400; maybe 12,000 non-res? no proof for 30,000 last year
821	Williams	Brazil, Williams Take DC Mayoral Contest Back to School--offer positive proposals
822	Staff	Proving DC Residency: can be done by tax payment; veh.regis; property title, voter regis, or utility bills
822	Staff	Ackerman Replaces Two (high-ranking) School System Facilities Officials--for giving poor mgmt info
822	Strauss	Brimmer Says UDC Survival Requires Changes in management, academics, oversight: less $ from DC govt
824	Strauss	Lessons of Arlene Ackerman--puts her past into DC School reform--trusts few aides--says system fully broken
827	Mathews	DC Schools Back Off Student Retention Plan--too drastic--hold back only those missing summer school
830	Dubois OpEd	Forcing DC Schools to Measure Up--DoEd threatens to cut fed$ if special ed system not improved
830	J Baker OpEd	Campaign Against Charter Schools, claims chair of DC Public Charter School Board
830	Staff	30 File to Fill 5 Seats on DC Board of Education--with diminished authorities
831	Nakashima	DC Area Schools Scramble to Hire Teachers--PG hires 1300 new, needs 44 more; only 57% certified

SEPTEMBER, 1998
827	Strauss	Ackerman Aims High in Year One--new chief expects everyone to perform better this year
901	Mathews	DC Schools Are Set to beat the Tardy Bell--even activists praise summer school efforts
902	Strauss	DC Schools Get Better Start This Year--officials happy--new AssocSuper for Admin hired frm Minnesota
902	Staff	Students, Parents Protest Temporary School Facility--worried about asbestos--officials say OK
902	Pierre	After 26 Years of Busing, Most from Pr. George's Pleased to See It Go--students now 75% black
902	Benning	Despite Gains, Disparities in SAT Scores Vex Officials--DC 21% below MD, VA suburbs
904	Strauss	DC Schools' Meal Tab Doesn't Add Up--Fed Audit of '95-'97 finds $4.4M misspent, maybe more
908	Strauss	Charter School Movement Growing in DC Amid Questions, Concerns--now 800 in 23 states, none in MD,VA
909	Finn/Manno ltr	Who's Afraid of Charter Schools?--competition healthy--oughta make every public school compete
909	Staff	DC Schools to Get $12 Million in US Grants--to fund reading specialists in schools lacking capabilities
909	Mathews	19 DC Charter Schools Open to High Demand--enrollment still climbing--"dozens more" applying for '99
910	Powell	In Mayor's Race, Big Pledges for Schools Will be Hard to Pay For: Williams most realistic
914	Strauss	As Schools Re-open, Problems Return--lack of staff, custodians, supplies persist--only 68K kids enrolled!
914	Strauss (cont)	School Problems Return--US DeptAg wants $4.4M back in misspent funds; 4K kids flee to charter schools
916	Overholser	To Work on Schools--many nation's schools 'crummy'--not only in urban slums,but suburbs mediocre too
916	Nakashima	Area Schools Strive to Raise Test Scores of Minorities--ignoring differing family education/income
916	Perlstein	EdSec Riley Cautions Schools on Hasty Hiring--'sacrificing quality for quantity' as boomers' kids hit schools
917	Mathews	DC Students Show Improvements on Tests--More kids reaching 'basic levels' in reading and math
918	Miller	Former DC Library Chief Sentenced to 5 months home detention and to repay $24K in misused funds
920	Eakin/Thomas	How to Build Better Schools in DC--commit to charter schools, and pay teachers for experience
921	Strauss	In DC, Talks on Control of Schools--elected board would regain power gradually--incompetence feared
922	Staff	UDC Boosts Enrollment 70% to 1125 freshmen for total enrollment of 5300--1st yr law students up 50%
925	Staff	Nat'l Poll Gives After-school Efforts a Thumbs Up--80% would pay more to keep schools open later
926	Strauss	DC Schools Get Set for Custodial Strike--protesting large staff cuts--no good data on how many there were!
927	Frazier	13 New PG Schools May Not Eliminate Crowding (9 close to DC)--127.8K enrolled to grow 7.1K in 4 yrs
927	Staff	School Custodians Unsure About Strike--unions hold off as Ackerman attempts to resolve issues
930	Strauss	2000 Pupils Fail to Prove DC Residency preliminary enrollment of 71.6K to be finalized on Oct 8

OCTOBER, 1998
1001	Staff	4 Charter Schools Endorsed for '99, including one PS junior High--9 others rejected
1001	Strauss	Funding, Situation Improve for UDC--(enrollment up to 5300)--but challenges still ahead--deferred costs
1004	Strauss	DC Schools Hire Advisor for Special Ed--Frieda Lacey from Montgomery County--lawyer fees an issue
1008	Loose	New to Politics, Serious about Schools: 5 run in Ward 7, 4 in Ward 4--most without public experience
1008	Vise	School Vouchers Out of DC Budget Bill--other controversial items remain but may not spur veto
1009	Mathews	No Room at Charter School--math, science academy overfowing, 25 students must go--enrollment mix-up
1012	Strauss	Caliber of Board Hopefuls Concerns DC Educators--activists claim no experience, track record, job know-how
1012	Staff	DC Public School System Receives $150K grant from NSF--to develop way to assess professional needs
1013	Editor	For School Board: Post Picks Byrd for Ward 2, Singleton, Ward 4, Canady, Ward 8
1015	Mathews	For School Board, Many Hopefuls: 6 run in Ward 2 w/good ideas, little experience, 2 in Ward 8 w/some of both
1016	Staff	DC Council Committee Confirms 5 new UDC trustees--should be approved by full Council soon
1022	Staff	Feds Fund DC Special Ed Programs ($30M more than $125M asked), MD Metro line extension ($50M)
1027	Strauss	DC School Board Wins Some Power--gains influence in 2 areas: advising on facilities, discipline
1027	Strauss (cont)	DC School Board wants Ackerman at monthly meetings: Cntrol Bd wants more joint school board mtgs
1028	Editor	DC School Board Races: Post picks Counihan at large; Kelly Ward 7; Byrd 2; Canaday 8; Singleton 4.
1028	Strauss	DC Public School Enrollment Drops 7 Pct, Officials say (3600 to charters, 1600 to suburbs?):some say more
1029	Staff	Del. Norton Backs Stronger School Bd--to begin advising Control Bd on school closings, student discipline!
1030	Benning	VA Bd of Ed May Set Standards Too High on VA Statewide Exams--way above teachers' advice
1030	Makamura	VA denied US Funds for Charter Schools--claim local school bds given too much control in denying them
1031	Hsu	School Bd Candidate's Biography in Question--colleges say Artisst didn't get degrees claimed
1031	Staff	Two (Members of Elected School Bd) Named to DC School Trustees Panel--TV Kinlow, Childs, join Harvey
1031	Benning	VA Students Face New Stds--Board sets some new passing scores above present statewide average

NOVEMBER, 1998
1022	Strauss	Eight Pursue One Seat on School Board--diverse group, little school experience, very differing views
1102	Strauss	As School Board Gains Power, Members urged to Get Along--badly structured, says MontCnty expert
1103	Benning	Most VA High School Students Flunk New Exams--just as poor at elementary, middle school levels
1104	Mathews	School Board Incumbent Trails in Early Count in Ward 4--4 other incumbents declined to run again
1104	Staff	Ackerman Invites Team of Experts to review 'still unacceptable' school payroll/personnel mgmt systems
1106	Staff	Financial Help for Charter Schools -- from Charter Schools Development Corp--has $750K from feds
1114	Strauss	DC Special Ed Official's Admin Leave Linked to Contract Probe--suspected of contract conflict of interest
1115	Strauss	Parent-Teacher Mtgs Increased at DC Schools--activists blame schools for not inducing parents to show
1117	O'Hanlon	Fairfax Special-Ed Policy Probed--VA agency looks into school system's (mis)placement of students
1118	Strauss	DC Focuses on Poor Teachers--low performers face firing after 90-day probation--activists support
1119	Argetsinger	Improved Test Scores Pay Off for MD Schools--83 schools share $2.75M cash awards, 200 more praised
1119	Mathews	Problems Vex Two Charter Schools--start-up, repairs eat $500K funds, trustees squabble
1119	Staff	High-Tech Training Center Opening at 401MSt, SW at 40,000 sqft foundation-sponsored facility
1120	Murphy	New President (O'Connell) Installed at Catholic University--Vatican-chartered school to stay faithful
1120	Strauss	DC Council Panel Presses School Officials for Budget Details--Chavous pushes Ackerman--activists agree
1122	Frazier	Nonblacks Say Why They Avoid PG County's Magnet Schools--inadequate safety and academic stds
1123	Strauss	Giving Schools New Sense of Direction--Stanford 9 Tests Reform Style of DC Instruction--goals set
1128	Editor	Guaranteeing Graduates--VA HS grads to get "warranty" they can do college work--why not diploma?
1128	Editor	....And Firing Teachers: DC plan to fire poor teachers from system on 90-day notice is good move
1130	Strauss	Maryland to Help DC Handle Special Ed Case Backlog--providing judges to evaluate 2500 kids

DECEMBER, 1998
1203	Strauss	DC Schools Probing 300 Special Ed Bus Drivers, Drug Use--lack valid licenses,--system dysfunctional
1204	Strauss	Chavous Says Up to Half of Special Ed Drivers May Lack Credentials--commercial licenses
1205	Mathews	DC TechWorld Charter School Dismissed 3 Board Members for inappropriate actions
1205	Editor	Who's Driving Your Children--find and fire people who let this situation develop in the first place
1209	Nakashima	Montgomery Schools Link Test Scores to DC Teachers' Attitudes--teacher expectations cited as key
1209	Wilgoren	Teachers' Union Opposes Plan to Up Minimum Salary for Teachers $30K frm $27K--wants raise for all
1209	Argetsinger	Maryland Students Boost Test Scores--but less than half rated 'satisfactory' on Spring exams
1210	Wilgorem	DC Schools Plan Saturday Reading Classes--all schools to offer intensive program to boost skills
1210	Nakashima	For Montgomery County School Chief, Small is Beautiful--wants to speed up timetable for smaller classes
1210	Strauss	DC Fires 19 Special-Ed School Bus Drivers--FBI running background checks on rest of drivers
1212	Strauss	DC Parents Tell of School Bus Driver Troubles--some say schools ignored complaints of abuse, drinking
1215	Shear	VA Gov. Gilmore Announced 20% Tuition Rollback Plan for In-state Students--from $2750 to $2200 (4-yr)
1216	Staff	Control Board Names Panel to Develop Transition Plan to Restore Power to Elected School Board
1217	Wilgoren	Small School to Close After Being Denied DC Charter--remnants of Garvey School students go elsewhere
1218	Wilgoren	Chavous Proposes New Office to Supervise Charter Schools--equiv of separate 'state education office'
1220	Strauss	Ackerman Plans to Modernize Schools--$1B to fix all 146 blgs by '09--by PS officals, Engr Corps,C21Fnd
1220	Strauss (cont)	Plan calls for new way to look at schools, facility mgmt--as learning/community cntrs, tot rehab for many
1230	Wilgoren	DC High School Accused of Misusing Funds--DC IG questions $127K spent by prior principal

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