2006

As we reported yesterday, State Education Commissioner Kent King has appointed five people to a special committee charged with analyzing the current state of St. Louis Public Schools and making recommendations to the Missouri Board…

by Peter DownsFebruary 22, 2006 -- Superintendent Creg Williams' announcement at the St. Louis school board meeting on February 14 of a "strategic plan" for city public schools obscured another important act at the meeting:…

With barely 24 hours notice, the St. Louis Public Schools has called two special board meetings for Tuesday evening.The first meeting will be held at its Administration Building, 801 N. 11th Street, at 5:00 p.m.…

Several African-American elected officials and community leaders have asked supporters of the extremely well-funded Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures why so little of their budget is being spent with and on the black community. “As…

A story in today’s Post-Dispatch recounts much of what has already been reported on this and other websites about allegations of fraud, poor management and collusion by the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now…

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,…

The president of the St. Louis teachers union addressed the school board and the district's superintendent last night to defend her members from what she said were unwarranted attacks.Mary Armstrong, president of Local 420, reminded…

This morning St. Louis Public Schools released information stating that in the first four weeks of the school year they hit 99% of projected enrollment and that a majority of schools made their attendance targets:…

by Peter DownsMarch 20, 2006 -- Richard Pack made a modest proposal to the St. Louis Board of Education on March 14: teach children how to focus by teaching them chess.Pack said he was a…

Exactly one week before Election Day, a new CNN poll shows the race between Republican Jim Talent and Democrat Claire McCaskill tied.Of 565 Likely Voters:Jim Talent - 49%Claire McCaskill - 49%(Sampling Error: +/- 4%)Of the…