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EDUCATION DIGEST
St. Louis charter schools gain market share CHARTER SCHOOLS — St. Louis charter schools have the seventh-largest public school market share in the country, according to a report released last week by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. One-quarter of the public school students in St. Louis went to charter schools last year, the report said, boosting St. Louis from its 10th-place standing two years ago. The report, "Top Ten Charter Communities by Market Share," said charter school market share is growing all over the country and that charters now enroll more than one in five public school students in 14 communities — including St. Louis and Kansas City. New Orleans led the list, followed by Washington, Detroit and Kansas City. MISSOURI SCHOOLS > Testing standards are praised — In a report released last week, the National Center for Education Statistics called Missouri's testing standards some of the most rigorous in the nation. The study, "Mapping State Proficiency Standards onto NAEP Scales: 2005-2007," ranks Missouri as second-most rigorous in fourth-grade reading, eighth-grade reading and fourth-grade math, and fourth-most rigorous in eighth-grade math. Only South Carolina scored better, in total. Illinois ranked 37th on average. The study compares passing rates on annual state tests with each state's passing rates on the federal National Assessment of Educational Progress. GIFTED EDUCATION > Gifted children association is meeting here — The National Association for Gifted Children will host its 56th annual convention in St. Louis from Thursday to Sunday at the America's Center. The convention, titled "Gateway to Gifted," will also feature visits to St. Louis Public Schools. On Thursday, 30 convention attendees and organizers will visit two city magnet schools that serve gifted students. On Saturday, eight St. Louis Public School students from Kennard Classical Jr. Academy, McKinley Classical Leadership Academy and Metro Academic and Classical High School will participate in a conference panel. ST. LOUIS SCHOOLS > Magnet school open house is planned — St. Louis Public Schools will host an open house Thursday at each magnet school throughout the district. The event will take place during regular school hours so prospective students can see the schools as they operate. Students wishing to attend a magnet school must submit an application. Students wishing to attend a choice school must submit an application, an essay and participate in an interview with the school's selection committee. City residents can visit the St. Louis Public Schools' website, www.slps.org, or call the Office of Recruitment and Counseling Center at 314-633-5200. Additional copies of applications are available for county residents at the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corp. website, www.choicecorp.org, or call 314-721-8422, ext. 3012. ILLINOIS SCHOOLS > Internet safety contest — Illinois Superintendent of Education Christopher Koch and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday the first statewide Internet safety contest to raise awareness of the dangers online and prevent its misuse. The contest is open to students in grades first through 12th and encourages students to create a poster or electronic message addressing Internet safety and cyberbullying. Entries are due by March 31 and winners will be announced in May. Contest rules, terms and conditions, can be found at www.isbe.net/curriculum/html/internet_safety.htm. PATTONVILLE SCHOOLS > Forum for school board candidates is planned — The Pattonville School District will host a forum for people interested in running for a seat on the Pattonville Board of Education. The event, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 17, is at Pattonville Learning Center, 11097 St. Charles Rock Road. It will offer information on the duties of the board, the characteristics of an effective board and a history of Pattonville board and bond issues. Those interested in attending should call 314-213-8001. Filing for seats on the board begins on Dec. 15 and ends Jan. 19. Two directors, serving three-year terms will be elected on April 6.
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