Morning bell: Not their job

Low test scores, fire custodians?

Until this year, DC’s IMPACT staff assessment process factored test scores even into evaluations for school custodians. (Post)

Henderson addresses cheating

DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson accepts responsibility for the cheating scandal, says multiple investigations found no more cheating beyond what’s public, and promises to fire teachers involved in cheating. (WJLA)

Graduation rate up… a bit

DCPS’ high school graduation rate rose 2% last year, but it’s still only 61%. Is that something to celebrate or not? (Informer)

Charter can’t expand

The PCSB won’t let the BASIS charter school expand. It’s gotten high test scores, but 10% of students withdrew, including 7 with disabilities, prompting questions of whether it’s cherry-picking the student body. (Post)

Change the funding formula?

David Catania is exploring changing the per-student funding formula after successful schools saw funding cuts. He suggests more funding for schools with more ESL or high-poverty students. (Examiner)

Obama cuts vouchers

President Obama’s budget zeroes out funding for DCOSP, the Congressionally-imposed voucher program. The Heritage Foundation, a strong supporter of the program, defends it.

Some don’t believe in public education

“It is not our job to see that anyone gets an education,” said Oklahoma state Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City) in a floor debate on expanding college scholarship funding. (Huffington Post)

Get a D, mommy can’t eat?

Tennessee State Sen. Stacey Campbell (R) wants to cut welfare benefits of parents if their kids underperform in school. Jon Stewart mocked the idea on the Daily Show, comparing Campbell to a Dickensian villain. (Post)