2006

An article in yesterday's St. Louis Schools Watch e-newsletter states that "the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved five more charter schools for St. Louis". According to a DESE spokesman, that is not…

Word is that Father Lawrence Biondi, president of St. Louis University, is in Lebanon tonight, holed up in a hotel room while Israel bombs the country. UPDATE: The AP now has the story… “University spokesman…

Claire McCaskill has declared victory in her race for U.S. Senate. Check back for video… Keep up with St. Louis politics at www.pubdef.net

BREAKING NEWS The Missouri Supreme Court issued a ruling today allowing the proposal which seeks to raise the state’s tobacco tax more than 400% to pay for health services to stay on the November ballot.…

At a meeting of the Missouri Legislative Black Caucus yesterday in Jefferson City, legislators debated over whether current chairman, State Rep. John Bowman, should be allowed to keep the post during the upcoming session. According…

The first thing to make note of about this year's Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores is that the grading is different. Instead of the usual five Achievement Level categories (Step 1, Progressing, Nearing Proficient,…

PUB DEF EXCLUSIVE Dozens of ACORN workers were disappointed Tuesday to find that the paychecks they were promised were still not available. And some gave even more details about the organization’s GOTV activities which have…

Did Slay ask DESE to take over SLPS? By Antonio D. French A rumor is circulating around St. Louis Public Schools that the Mayor and at least one holdover from the last school board majority…

An article in Friday’s Post-Dispatch gives props to Pub Def for our political coverage throughout 2006. Thanks to political reporter Jo Mannies for the love. French, who operates Pubdef, said political activists at all levels…

COMMENTARY When the balance of power shifted on the St. Louis City School Board back in April, the Post-Dispatch and its education reporter, Steve Giegerich, suddenly began to watch the district with a critical eye.…