I’ve added the LA Times’ new education blog, School Me, and the Miami Herald’s edublog, Miami Gradebook to the blogroll.

Also fairly new to the blogroll are Bud the Teacher and Coach Brown.

California’s exit exam was reinstated as a graduation requirement by the state Supreme Court, which ordered a state appeals court to hold hearings on the case. Several news stories say it’s not clear what the impact will be on the students — about 10 percent of seniors — who haven’t passed. It seems clear to me: They don’t get diplomas, though they may get a “certificate of completion” at the district’s discretion.

Like TMAO of Teaching in the 408, who’s torn about the test, I suspect most of the students who’ve repeatedly flunked this basic skills test don’t have the credits to graduate. I’d love to see a story explaining how students passed algebra, a state-mandated course in California, but can’t pass a multiple-choice math exam that covers elementary and middle-school skills and requires only a 60 percent.

Science scores improved for fourth graders on the newly released 2005 NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) report, stayed about the same for eighth graders and declined in 12th grade.

Sixty-eight percent of fourth graders scored at or above the basic level; 29 percent scored at or above proficient. Minority students narrowed the achievement gap.

An example of the knowledge associated with the Basic level is identifying two organs in the human body that work together to supply oxygen. . . . Relating the amount of time a candle burns to the amount of air available is an example of the knowledge and skills at the Proficient level.

Eighth graders showed no improvement overall, though blacks did make gains.

In 2005, 59 percent of students scored at or above the Basic level. An example of the knowledge and skills at the Basic level is being able to compare changes in heart rate during and after exercise. Twenty-nine percent performed at or above the Proficient level. Identifying the energy conversions that occur in an electric fan is an example of the knowledge and skills at the Proficient level.

Average scores declined for 12th graders with only 54 percent at the basic level or above and 18 percent at proficient.

Knowing the function of a neuron is an example of knowledge at the Basic level. . . . Identifying the source of heat energy released in a combustion reaction is an example of knowledge at the Proficient level.

California, Hawaii, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Virginia showed the most progress.

Update: Gadfly points out that Kentucky, South Carolina and Virginia — unlike most states — test students in science; California’s science standards are highly rated by the Fordham Foundation.

Instead of high-priced children’s homes, British authorities hope to send up to 2,000 foster children to boarding schools.

Dismal outcomes are the norm despite the £2.5 billion a year spent looking after (foster children). It costs £100,000 a year to keep a child in a children’s home, more than four times the fees at top private schools such as Eton or Winchester.

Of course, boarding schools aren’t likely to work for the most troubled children, but they could provide a better alternative for some children.

In Milwaukee schools, parents are the new bullies, reports the Journal-Sentinel. Some attack teachers; others go for students they believe have bullied their children.

NYC Educator hosts the Carnival of Education, which is divided into sex, drugs, rock ‘n roll and other categories.

Ms. Cornelius refuses to give extra credit to a student who has missed assignments and failed quizzes.

L’enfant was out of class for the last half of first semester having her baby. She then missed part of second semester. Her homebound teacher claimed she completed tons of work to the tune of a 90%, which is about 50% higher than she ever attained when she was in actual attendance in my class, and this with a newborn home, to boot. She has been meeting with a guidance counselor for hours now to figure out how she’s going to “get her credits.” Counselor had called me, and I told her L’enfant was not passing, but with a good exam grade, she could pull it off.

She is not passing any class. She passed my class first semester due to the miraculous intervention of the homebound instructor. When she came back, her preferred position was trying to see how long her head could stay down before I made her sit up. Four unfinished assignments turned in during that time, and quiz scores in the mid-40s. I saw her after school with her baby, but she did not come to tutoring.

Read the comments by other teachers too.

According to a new report, “What Education Schools Aren’t Teaching About Reading and What Elementary Teachers Aren’t Learning,” by the National Council on Teacher Quality, 85 percent of education schools aren’t teaching prospective teachers how to teach reading effectively. NCTQ analyzed 222 required reading courses from 72 schools of education. Most colleges and universities are “either turning their backs on the science or have abdicated their responsibility to prepare teachers to be effective teachers of reading,” said NCTQ President Kate Walsh. Go to the NCTQ site for the link to the full report on pdf.

The Carnival of Homeschooling, hosted by Principled Discovery, is organized as a progressive dinner this week. Don’t miss the jello mold!

By targeting preschool dollars to children living near low-performing schools, California Gov. Schwarzenegger could help an additional 43,000 at-risk four-year-olds prepare for school. The governor’s plan would cost $50 million in the first year, rising to $145 million. By contrast, Rand researchers estimate Prop. 82 on the June 6 ballot would add 26,000 low-income four-year-olds to preschool school rolls at a cost of $2 billion a year. An estimated 60 to 65 percent of four-year-olds already attend preschool; under Prop. 82, which is not means-tested, a majority of new enrollees are expected to come from middle-class and upper-middle-class families. The governor’s program doesn’t means test either, but most children living in the attendance areas of schools that score in the bottom 30 percent statewide come from low-income and non-English-speaking families.

Go to Reason’s web site for links to research studies and to Lisa Snell’s anti-82 radio appearances.

This Week in Education links to an Alexa chart showing which of five education blogs gets the most daily page views.

Education News (not really a blog, but sorta) leads the pack, with Joanne Jacobs right up there. Eduwonk and The Education Wonks seem to be gaining ground — or maybe the others are declining.

My unique visits have been holding steady, somewhat to my surprise. There’s a lot of competition for the edublog reader out there.

It is hard to keep going as a solo blogger. I had dinner with Kimberly Swygert, late of Number 2 Pencil, when I was in Philadelphia last week. She was just back from her honeymoon. I may talk her into guestblogging for me when I’m on my honeymoon in August.

Update: Education News plans to start a blog.