Photo by bendyclickr on Flickr.

One DCPS middle school dies: Shaw MS entered a downward spiral after the murder of its principal in 2010 and was closed at the end of the last school year. (WAMU)

And the birth of another is delayed: In the wake of controversy over the quality of DCPS’s middle school offerings, officials announced that the opening of Brookland MS will be delayed one year, until the fall of 2015. (Post)

Nominee for state superintendent draws mixed reviews: Although some praised Jesus Aguirre’s performance in his last job as head of DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Councilmember Tommy Wells said his lackluster record was no recommendation for confirming him as state superintendent of education. Other councilmembers were also skeptical. (Post)

Prosecutors seek money for troubled charter school: DC’s attorney general has asked a judge to order former managers at Options PCS to repay over $750,000 they allegedly diverted from the school for students with special needs. (Post)

Meanwhile, supporters of school’s former board chair rally: About two dozen supporters of J.C. Hayward, former Options board chair, gathered outside the offices of WUSA (Channel 9), seeking her return to the station. Hayward has been on leave since October 1, when she was named in a lawsuit alleging self-dealing at the school. (Post)

And a grand jury investigates a Montgomery County special ed school: Parents of special needs students at Rock Terrace school in Rockville have accused the school of mishandling money earned by students.

How flawed is DC’s school voucher program?: In the wake of a GAO report criticizing oversight of a program that allows families to use federal money to attend private schools, the Post’s editorial board calls on the DC Council to investigate. But the Examiner’s Mark Lerner says it’s a false alarm. (Post, Examiner)

Top-rated DC charters serve lots of poor kids: Compared to other districts, DC has a large number of highly ranked charters that serve a high-poverty population. One analyst says this may have something to do with the way DC evaluates charters, relying in part on measures of student growth as opposed to straight proficiency. (Shanker Blog)

Here come two more charters: Two charter operators with schools elsewhere won approval to open elementary schools in DC. One is Texas-based Harmony Schools, which has a STEM focus, and the other is Democracy Prep, which has seen success working with poor children in New York City. (Post)

Are private schools entering charter territory?: A venerable private school in Baltimore, Roland Park Country Day, has won approval to open a charter middle school for girls in that city. It may be the first private school in the nation to do so. Earlier this year, a group with Sidwell Friends connections failed to win approval for its proposal from DC’s Public Charter School Board. (Baltimore Sun, Post)

Not much bang for some pretty big bucks: A federal program that funneled $5 billion to failing schools has failed to show significant results, with students at a third of the schools doing the same as or worse than they were doing before. (Post)

Upcoming events:

DCPS budget hearing: DCPS will hear testimony from members of the public on its FY2015 budget Tuesday, November 26, from 6 to 8 pm, at Langley ES, 101 T Street NE. That’s tomorrow! If you’re interested in testifying, today is the deadline for filling out the online form.

Greater Greater Education hosts Councilmember Catania: Join us for a conversation about DC education with David Catania, chair of the DC Council’s Education Committee. Monday, December 9, from 6:30 to 8 pm, at the Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, near the Eastern Market Metro. RSVP here.