The Orange County Register – Martin Wisckol

“Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown today posted an education-reform plan on his website. Among his proposals are an overhaul of higher education, several proposals for improving the quality of teachers, and an increased emphasis on science, technology, engineering, history and humanities.”(more)

Los Angeles Times – Seema Mehta

“Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown unveiled an education reform plan Wednesday that calls for a wholesale restructuring of California’s public school system, from changing the way schools are funded to revamping the state’s higher education system.”(more)

The Guardian – Alan Thomas and Harriet Pattison

“From the home educators’ point of view, however, the conflating of welfare issues with education is a dangerous step. It not only threatens educational freedom but also places a presumption of guilt on loving families who must prove themselves innocent to suspicious officialdom. And, most insidious of all, if the law were changed, social workers and education professionals would presumably be expected to monitor the quality of education provided.”(more)

The Guardian – Staff Writer

“The government’s flagship academies bill was rushed through parliament last night, though six Liberal Democrat MPs voted for an amendment calling for more consultation with parents.”(more)

BBC – Staff Writer

“The Education Secretary has rejected claims the government is rushing legislation on major reforms to England’s school system.”(more)

Education Next – Mike Antonucci

“When the Florida legislature, on April 8th, passed a bill that sought to replace teacher tenure with merit pay, the Florida Education Association (FEA) sprang into action, organizing members and community activists to lobby Governor Charlie Crist to veto the measure. FEA, with the help of its parent union, the National Education Association (NEA), generated thousands of e-mails, letters, phone calls, and Internet posts in opposition to the legislation. When Governor Crist delivered his veto on April 15th, the union ran television and Internet ads, thanking him. A few weeks later, FEA gave a much-needed boost to Crist’s independent bid for a U.S. Senate seat by endorsing both Crist and Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek.”(more)

The Star-Ledger – Staff Writer

“Political wrangling has stalled passage of a bill that would provide New Jersey’s first school vouchers program, according to a report on NJSpotlight.com.”(more)

Inside Higher Ed – Doug Lederman

“But if the United States is actually going to make meaningful progress on increasing the number of Americans with college credentials, it’s going to be up to the states — whose public institutions enroll roughly four of every five students — to get the job done. And systemic change in the states will occur only if their chief executives — governors — get with the program.”(more)

Education Next – Paul Peterson

“If the Edley law ever gets passed, it’ll be “happy hour” for the teachers, janitors and other school district employees collecting rising salaries and generous pensions–even while private sector workers are desperate to hang on to their jobs. Education expenditures can continue to rise unimpeded, because everyone will be reassured that they come with no additional taxes. The state government will simply borrow the money from their friends in Washington. Cities and towns can get in on the action as well, because nothing prevents states from passing on the borrowed money to lower levels of government.”(more)

NPR – Claudio Sanchez

“The nation’s two largest teachers unions are holding their annual conventions this week and have been saying some harsh things about the Obama administration’s education agenda. Some teachers are even calling for Education Secretary Arne Duncan to resign.”(more)