Morning Bell: East Allen County Schools Criticized For Widening Achievement Gap

EACS defends tests of black students – “About 15 parents and members of the community gathered outside the EACS administration building before the meeting to express their dissatisfaction with the district’s approach to educating black students. They carried signs that included slogans such as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘100 percent failure of leadership.'” Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Mayor Greg Ballard intends to revoke The Project School’s charter – “Failing to meet its most recent payroll was the most serious sign of financial trouble, but not the only one. The mayor’s final evaluation of the school, completed in May, determined the school improperly used more than $63,000 in federal funds intended for facilities and planning to cover other items, including salary and benefits. It spent more than its annual revenue in each of the past three years, adding $3.million in debt over the past two years. “ Indianapolis Star

OUR VIEW: Test results move in right direction but must move faster – “Let’s hope so, because every year that test results lag is one more year our students fall behind their peers in other districts. Catching up becomes difficult, if not impossible. Students move through the school system and leave without the necessary skills to land a good-paying job.” The Muncie Star Press

Stimulus Aid Saved Education Jobs, Research Group Concludes – “Most districts—69 percent—used State Fiscal Stabilization Fund money to save or create jobs. The stimulus also provided new, one-time money for the two main federal formula programs—Title I grants to help disadvantaged students, and special education state grants. Districts used some of that money for job-saving purposes, too, CEP found. The money was a one-time infusion that has been phased out overtime. “ Education Week