coe-staff: Fed Ed News and Events - April 21, 2016

Thu Apr 21 13:42:24 PDT 2016

The following message is being sent on behalf of Dean Randy Kamphaus.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am attaching an example of the daily, sometimes several times per day, messages that we receive from our DC firm contracted by the LEARN coalition. These are read by myself, our UO governmental relations office, and others. In turn, I forward them to potentially interested parties. I write today to merely inform you of the improved access that we now have to legislative and other relevant information as a result of our membership in LEARN. I will forward these messages to this full faculty and staff list on occasion to keep you informed of general trends and flow of information and activities related to education. I will do my best to be judicious.

For your information only - no action needed,

Randy

From: Penn Hill Group <rlopez=pennhillgroup.com at mail218.atl21.rsgsv.net<mailto:rlopez=pennhillgroup.com at mail218.atl21.rsgsv.net>> on behalf of Penn Hill Group <rlopez at pennhillgroup.com<mailto:rlopez at pennhillgroup.com>>
Reply-To: Penn Hill Group <rlopez at pennhillgroup.com<mailto:rlopez at pennhillgroup.com>>
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2016 at 9:30 AM
To: randy <randyk at uoregon.edu<mailto:randyk at uoregon.edu>>
Subject: Fed Ed News and Events -- April 21, 2016

<http://www.pennhillgroup.com>[Penn Hill Group]<http://www.pennhillgroup.com>

Federal Education News and Events
April 21, 2016
Compiled by Ruth López at Penn Hill Group

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the full article or scroll to the bottom of this email for a preview]
ESSA Cheat Sheet: What's in the New Testing Regulations? [Article 1<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/04/every_student_succeeds_act_exp.html> - Education Week]

Scholars: Better Gauges Needed for 'Mindset,' 'Grit' [Article 2<http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/04/20/scholars-better-gauges-needed-for-mindset-grit.html> - Education Week]

Virtual, Blended Schools Growing Despite Struggles, Analysis Finds [Article 3<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2016/04/virtual_blended_schools_NEPC.html> - Education Week]

Oklahoma City schools agree to revamp discipline amid federal civil rights investigation [Article 4<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/04/20/oklahoma-city-schools-agree-to-revamp-discipline-amid-federal-civil-rights-investigation/> - The Washington Post]

In New York's Opt-Out Hot Spots, Which Presidential Candidates Did Voters Prefer? [Article 5<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/04/new_york_opt_out_presidential_primary_preference.html> - Education Week]

School State Takeover Bill Heads to Mississippi Governor's Desk [Article 6<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2016/04/school_state_takeover_bill_heads_to_mississippi_governors_desk.html> - Education Week]

Greater Competition for College Places Means Higher Anxiety, Too [Article 7<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/greater-competition-for-college-places-means-higher-anxiety-too.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Feducation&action=click&contentCollection=education&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&conten> - The New York Times]

Some Charters Help Alumni Stick With College [Article 8<http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/04/20/some-charters-help-alumni-stick-with-college.html> - Education Week]

Private donors and businesses are backing free community college campaigns [Article 9<https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/04/21/private-donors-and-businesses-are-backing-free-community-college-campaigns> - Inside Higher Ed]

Amid Accusations of Lax Oversight, Accreditor Gets Tough With ITT [Article 10<http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/amid-accusations-of-lax-oversight-accreditor-gets-tough-with-itt/110598> - The Chronicle of Higher Education]

TPSEMath working to reform math education [Article 11<https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/04/21/tpsemath-working-reform-math-education> - Inside Higher Ed]

What's the Best Way for Colleges to Prevent Cheating? [Article 12<http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/04/how-to-stop-cheating-in-college/479037/> - The Atlantic]

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Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor
House Education and the Workforce Committee
Press Release<http://edworkforce.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400618>: Rokita Introduces Bill to Reauthorize, Reform Child Nutrition Assistance

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Press Release<http://www.help.senate.gov/chair/newsroom/press/alexander-education-negotiators-deserve-thanks-for-protecting-classrooms-from-national-school-board>: Alexander: Education Negotiators Deserve Thanks for Protecting Classrooms from National School Board

Senate Committee on the Budget
Documents and webcast<http://www.budget.senate.gov/republican/public/index.cfm/hearing-schedule?ID=D24DD54D-C12D-400B-AA96-06FD2C2DF78C> of yesterday's Full Committee Hearing: "Fixing Broken Budget Process and Restoring Stability to Govt. Operations"

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Events
April 21: Achieve webinar-"Creating Course Pathways for Advanced Students: An Example from the Next Generation Science Standards"
Join the webinar to learn about the Accelerated NGSS Model Course Pathways and how educators can think about and develop pathways that allow gifted students to go beyond the foundation standards in any content area.
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Register here<https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3110629819200104452>.

April 22: AYPF event- "Making Learning More Meaningful in a Reimagined Accountability System"
The recently signed Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides states with greater flexibility to design accountability systems that use multiple measures of assessment beyond test scores. Educators and policymakers are increasingly realizing the need for more sophisticated curricula and assessments in order to prepare students to successfully function in a global economy.
This forum will showcase schools that are supporting meaningful learning by putting in place higher quality assessments. YouthBuild Charter School of California, a competency-based, dropout recovery school uses applied, project-based learning and authentic assessments to measure student growth. Building 21 Ferguson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a non-selective, competency-based public high school that allows students to design their own personalized learning pathways. Denver Center for International Studies is part of the Asia Society and prepares students for college by having students curate a portfolio of their best work, guided by four domains of global leadership, to earn a Certificate in International Studies Diploma.
Presenters: Phil Matero, Founder & Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Rudy Cuevas, Chief Collaboration Officer & Principal, YouthBuild Charter School of California with student representative; Laura Shubilla, Founder, Building 21 with student representative; Theresa McCorquodale, Principal, Denver Center for International Studies
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: TBD
Register here<https://secure.aypf.org/np/clients/aypf/event.jsp?event=1637&&secureIdCustomer=1&>.

April 26: Data Quality Campaign event-"Time to Act: Making Data Work for Students"
Meeting our nation's education goals is impossible without empowering those closest to students with the information they need to make decisions. The Data Quality Campaign will host a national summit, "Time to Act: Making Data Work for Students," to unveil a bold new vision for using data in the service of student learning and call the field to act with a corresponding policy road map to make that vision a reality.
Join top leaders in education, policymakers, advocates, and educators to discuss what actions states and communities can take to realize the power of data to lead to better outcomes for all our nation's students.
1:00 - 4:30 p.m. at the Mayflower Hotel, 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
RSVP here<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/time-to-act-making-data-work-for-students-tickets-21790554134>. The event will be open to the public and webcast live, with a reception to follow.

April 26:  United Way event-"Ensuring College- and Career-Readiness to Produce Highly-Skilled Workers and Build Strong Communities"
United Way Worldwide is pleased to host a National Convening on College- and Career-Readiness for United Ways from across the nation to engage with each other and with education partners on the importance of college- and career-readiness of our nation's students so they can compete in the global economy and help build strong communities.  Attendees will learn about effective education reform efforts that drive college- and career-readiness in the classroom and in schools; learn about best practices in parental and community engagement; and learn about resources to help parents and community leaders understand what is going on in their schools and classrooms.
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the  Mary M. Gates Learning Center, United Way Worldwide Headquarters, 701 North Fairfax Street, Old Town Alexandria
Register here<https://uwa.emeetingsonline.com/emeetings/websitev2.asp?mmnno=815&pagename=SITE120439&sessionid=1064017858>.
Education organizations interested in parental and community engagement at the state and local levels are encouraged to attend.
Further information can be directed to Tony Shivers at tony.shivers at unitedway.org<mailto:tony.shivers at unitedway.org>.

April 27: NAEP Webinar-"The Nation's Report Card: 2015 Mathematics and Reading at Grade 12"
The National Assessment Governing Board and the National Center for Education Statistics will host a webinar to release The Nation's Report Card: 2015 Mathematics and Reading at Grade 12. The report features U.S. 12th graders' performance in the two subjects on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
The webinar will examine trends in achievement by race/ethnicity, gender, and other factors. Panelists will also discuss estimated percentages of 12th graders who are academically prepared for college-level work in mathematics and reading.
Panelists include: Margretta Browne, English Teacher, Richard Montgomery High School, Rockville, Md.; Peggy G. Carr, Acting Commissioner, National Center for Education Statistics; Julie Evans, CEO, Project Tomorrow; Dale Nowlin, 12th-Grade Mathematics Teacher, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, Columbus, Ind.; Member, National Assessment Governing Board; Bill Bushaw (Moderator), Executive Director, National Assessment Governing Board
Register here<https://www.nagb.org/newsroom/naep-releases/2015-math-reading-grade-12.html>.

May 5: Speak Up's 2016 Congressional Briefing-"How Students and Teachers are Using Video and Gaming for Learning"
Project Tomorrow is releasing the Speak Up 2015 National Findings, focused on how students and educators are using videos and online games for learning, during a Congressional Briefing on May 5th. Speak Up is an initiative of Project Tomorrow, the country's leading nonprofit organization that works to make students' voices heard in education. Each year, the Speak Up National Research Project polls students, parents and educators about the role of technology in education both in and out of the classroom, as well as their views and aspirations for how technology should be used in the future. In 2015, more than 500,000 online surveys were submitted from stakeholders throughout the education community.
The briefing is a chance to hear directly from a panel of students and teachers about how they are using and creating videos for learning and how gaming is being used in and out of school for learning.
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. in B339 Rayburn House Office Building. Lunch will be provided.
RSVP here<http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/speakup_congress_rsvp.html>.

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U.S. Department of Education and the Administration
ED Press Release<http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/oklahoma-city-public-schools-us-education-department-reach-settlement-address-disproportionate-discipline-black-students>: Oklahoma City Public Schools, U.S. Education Department Reach Settlement to Address Disproportionate Discipline of Black Students

ED Blog<http://blog.ed.gov/2016/04/the-white-house-science-fair-highlights-first-generation-students/>: White House Science Fair Presents Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity for First-Generation Students

ED Blog<http://blog.ed.gov/2016/04/nature-based-curriculum-a-hit-with-students-and-staff-alike/>: Nature-Based Curriculum a Hit with Students and Staff Alike

White House Press Release<https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/21/fact-sheet-advancing-active-stem-education-our-youngest-learners>: Factsheet: Advancing Active STEM Education for Our Youngest Learners

White House Press Release<https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/21/fact-sheet-investing-90-million-through-apprenticeshipusa-expand-proven>: Factsheet: Investing $90 Million through ApprenticeshipUSA to Expand Proven Pathways into the Middle Class

White House Press Release<https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/21/fact-sheet-every-kid-park-day-action-white-house-announces-commitments>: Factsheet: On Every Kid In a Park Day of Action, White House Announces Commitments to Getting Nearly Half a Million Kids Outside

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Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices
ED Grant Notice<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/04/21/2016-09298/application-for-new-awards-charter-schools-program-csp-grants-for-state-educational-agencies>: Charter Schools Program (CSP) Grants for State Educational Agencies (SEAs). Date of Pre-Application Webinar: April 26, 2016, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Applications due June 1, 2016.

ED Grant Supplemental Notice<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/04/21/2016-09287/applications-for-new-awards-innovative-approaches-to-literacy-program-supplemental-notice>:  Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program. Applications due May 9, 2016.

Corporation for National and Community Service Comment Request<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/04/21/2016-09198/information-collection-submission-for-omb-review-comment-request>: Disability Accommodation Reimbursement Request Form. Comments due May 23, 2016.

Today's Federal Register<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/current>

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Yesterday in Congress
H.R.2666: No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act
Sponsor: Rep Kinzinger, Adam [IL-16] (introduced 6/4/2015) Cosponsors (19)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce
House Reports: 114-478
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2016 Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

H.R.4294: SAVERS Act of 2015
Sponsor: Rep Roskam, Peter J. [IL-6] (introduced 12/18/2015) Cosponsors (38)
Committees: House Ways and Means; House Education and the Workforce
House Reports: 114-512 Part 1, 114-512 Part 2
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2016 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 392.

H.R.5003: To reauthorize child nutrition programs, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Rokita, Todd [IN-4] (introduced 4/20/2016) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Education and the Workforce; House Budget
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2016 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.5016: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to provide student borrowers with instruction in general principles of financial literacy through its online counseling tool, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Salmon, Matt [AZ-5] (introduced 4/20/2016) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Education and the Workforce
Latest Major Action: 4/20/2016 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

________________________________
Please contact Ruth López<mailto:rlopez at pennhillgroup.com> at Penn Hill Group<http://www.pennhillgroup.com/> with any questions or comments
Follow Penn Hill Group on Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/pennhillgroup>

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Article 1
ESSA Cheat Sheet: What's in the New Testing Regulations?
By Alyson Klein, Education Week | April 21, 2016

School districts, state chiefs, advocates, and the U.S. Department of Education now have a better idea of how testing will work under the brand-new Every Student Succeeds Act<http://www.edweek.org/ew/collections/inside-essa-the-new-federal-education-law/>. And it took eight days of eye-glazing-and-occasionally-contentious debate, known inside the Beltway as "negotiated rulemaking."

A committee of educators, advocates, and experts charged with hashing out rules for ESSA wasn't able to reach agreement on something called supplement-not-supplant<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/04/essa_negotiated_rulemaking_com.html> (a wonky spending provision), but they did come to accord on a number of important testing issues, including for English-language learners, and students in special education.

Here are the highlights of what they agreed to, in plain English:

How Testing Is Supposed to Work in General

  *   States have to test students in grades 3 through 8 and once in high school, in math and reading. If they want to test in other subjects, that's fine, as long as those tests are aligned to state-level academic standards... Full Article<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/04/every_student_succeeds_act_exp.html>

Article 2
Scholars: Better Gauges Needed for 'Mindset,' 'Grit'
Scholars note flaws in current methods
By Sarah D. Sparks, Education Week | April 19, 2016

Traditional methods of studying social-emotional skills will have to evolve in more reliable, less subjective ways if educators and policymakers expect to incorporate them validly into accountability systems and school improvement plans, education researchers meeting here last week cautioned.

The federal Every Student Succeeds Act broadens the definition of school success, requiring states and districts to include nonacademic factors in their accountability systems. Concepts like growth mindset-the belief that intelligence and other skills are not fixed, but can be improved through effort-and grit-the ability to sustain interest over a long period and persist in a task in the face of boredom or challenges-have garnered great interest as potential levers to lift student academic achievement through non-academic skills.

"It's only in the last five years that mindset has moved from an influential academic theory to an educational phenomenon," David Miele, an education professor at Boston University, said during a symposium on the research at the American Educational Research Association's annual conference. The gathering drew more than 16,500 researchers from around the world...Full Article<http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/04/20/scholars-better-gauges-needed-for-mindset-grit.html>

Article 3
Virtual, Blended Schools Growing Despite Struggles, Analysis Finds
By Benjamin Herold, Education Week | April 20, 2016

Virtual and blended schools continue to grow at a rapid pace despite persistently "dismal" academic outcomes and little knowledge about their internal workings, according to a new analysis from the National Education Policy Center.

In 2013-14, 262,000 students in 33 states were enrolled in 447 full-time virtual schools that deliver all instruction online, according to the NEPC. Another 26,155 students across 16 states were enrolled in 87 blended schools, which combine traditional face-to-face and online instruction.

Despite rising enrollment numbers, however, these virtual and blended schools fared poorly when compared to traditional public schools on a host of academic measures, according to the new study, titled Virtual Schools Report 2016: Directory and Performance Review<http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/virtual-schools-annual-2016>... Full Article<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/DigitalEducation/2016/04/virtual_blended_schools_NEPC.html>

Article 4
Oklahoma City schools agree to revamp discipline amid federal civil rights investigation
By Emma Brown, The Washington Post | April 20, 2016

Oklahoma City Public Schools has agreed to revamp its approach to student discipline, settling a federal civil rights investigation that found African American children were referred for disciplinary action at a significantly higher rate than white children, the U.S. Education Department announced Wednesday.

The 45,000-student school system has committed to reducing suspensions and expulsions as much as possible, and to providing resources - such as social workers and psychologists - to help students who act out. The system also agreed to consult with experts to ensure that discipline policies are designed and carried out in a way that doesn't discriminate against any racial group... Full Article<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/04/20/oklahoma-city-schools-agree-to-revamp-discipline-amid-federal-civil-rights-investigation/>

Article 5
In New York's Opt-Out Hot Spots, Which Presidential Candidates Did Voters Prefer?
By Andrew Ujifusa, Education Week | April 21, 2016

New York state is arguably the epicenter of the testing opt-out movement. Last school year, 20 percent of students eligible to take the statewide exams in English/language arts and math opted out. And New York state also just held a presidential primary on Tuesday. So what happened in voting booths in areas of the Empire State where opt-out was a big deal in the 2014-15 school year?

We don't have final opt-out rates for the current school year yet. But we do know that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won approximately 58 percent of the vote statewide over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' 42 percent in the Democratic primary. In the Republican race, real estate executive Donald Trump got approximately 61 percent of the vote, compared to 25 percent for Ohio Gov. John Kasich and nearly 15 percent for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Let's go a bit deeper into the numbers... Full Article<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2016/04/new_york_opt_out_presidential_primary_preference.html>

Article 6
School State Takeover Bill Heads to Mississippi Governor's Desk
By Denisa Superville, Education Week | April 20, 2016

Mississippi could join a growing number of states to create statewide school districts to take over low-performing schools.

A bill headed to Gov. Phil Bryant's desk would establish a statewide district that would take over schools<http://www.sunherald.com/news/state/mississippi/article72700457.html> that receive an F grade for two straight years or districts with an F rating for two out of three years, the Associated Press reported...Full Article<http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2016/04/school_state_takeover_bill_heads_to_mississippi_governors_desk.html>

Article 7
Greater Competition for College Places Means Higher Anxiety, Too
By Anemona Hartocollis, The New York Times | April 20, 2016

As the frenzied college application season draws to a close, and students across the country mull their choices, many colleges are trumpeting that it was the most selective year ever.

But high school guidance counselors and admissions experts say the heightened competition has turned the process into a anxiety-ridden numbers game.

Except for those that offer rolling admission, colleges generally mailed out the last of their acceptances for the class of 2020 by April 1. Students must respond by May 1, though since that date falls on a Sunday this year, some institutions may give a grace period until May 2. It will be weeks or more before final data is in, but admissions officers and experts say they see some preliminary trends... Full Article<http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/greater-competition-for-college-places-means-higher-anxiety-too.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Feducation&action=click&contentCollection=education&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&conten>

Article 8
Some Charters Help Alumni Stick With College
By Arianna Prothero, Educaiton Week | April 19, 2016

Many of the nation's charter schools set up shop in low-income urban areas hoping to propel students who may struggle to finish high school-let alone go to college-into higher education.

But even among the students who make it to college, national statistics paint a grim picture of what happens after they get there: Just 11 percent of low-income, first-generation college-goers graduate in six years, according to the Pell Institute, a research group that focuses on access to higher education.

Even though many charters name homerooms after universities and hang college pennants in the hallways, their alumni still face a range of challenges once they reach college, from cultural to academic.

In recent years, however, charter schools-in particular, charter school networks-have started investing heavily in supporting their alumni beyond high school graduation... Full Article<http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/04/20/some-charters-help-alumni-stick-with-college.html>

Article 9
Public Good, Private Money
Businesses, nonprofits and communities are turning to private dollars for help in establishing free community college programs.
By Ashley A. Smith, Inside Higher Ed | April 21, 2016

Momentum for passing a national free community college program may have slowed, but businesses and private donors are picking up the slack.

While state movements to increase access to college in several localities, such as in Tennessee, have generated headlines across the country, many locally based "promise" scholarship programs are funded by private dollars and donations.

At the Kalamazoo, Mich.-based W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, Michelle Miller-Adams estimates there are about 80 local, place-based scholarship or promise-type programs<https://www.insidehighered.com/sites/default/server_files/files/Promisescholarshipprograms.pdf> across the country. The programs vary in how much funding they award students or which requirements they mandate for students to receive funding... Full Article<https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/04/21/private-donors-and-businesses-are-backing-free-community-college-campaigns>

Article 10
Amid Accusations of Lax Oversight, Accreditor Gets Tough With ITT
By Andy Thomason, The Chronicle of Higher Ed | April 21, 2016

As it endures criticism for what is seen as faulty oversight of for-profit colleges, the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools has told ITT Educational Services Inc. to demonstrate that its accreditation should not be revoked.

In a corporate filing<http://app.quotemedia.com/data/downloadFiling?webmasterId=101533&ref=10882298&type=HTML&symbol=ESI&companyName=ITT+Educational+Services+Inc.&formType=8-K&dateFiled=2016-04-21> on Wednesday, ITT said it had received the show-cause letter that day, instructing the company to show "why its current grants of accreditation should not be withdrawn by suspension or otherwise conditioned" at the accreditor's next meeting... Full Article<http://chronicle.com/article/Why-2-U-of-Houston-Professors/235528>

Article 11
Pushing New Math Paths
Cadre of esteemed mathematicians gain traction in their campaign to remake the college curriculum in the discipline.
By Josh Logue, Inside Higher Ed | April 21, 2016

The M in STEM education, say many in the field, is lagging behind the other fast-evolving letters. Most universities are still forcing all their students through the same precalculus or college algebra courses. But demand is growing for nonmath majors with mathematical know-how relevant to their fields, and others, both in and out of STEM, often find their college math requirements to be an unsurpassable barrier.

"Math has been, I think, the single biggest obstacle to retention and completion," William E. Kirwan, former chancellor of the University System of Maryland, said in an interview with Inside Higher Ed. That, along with a host of other reasons (detailed below), is why he and a handful of other mathematicians are spearheading an effort to improve math education.

It's called Transforming Post-Secondary Education in Mathematics, or TPSEMath for short. Kirwan and a core group of roughly half a dozen other mathematics and academic leaders are assembled under that acronym (pronounced "tipsy") to find ways past the challenges in math education and bring the broader academic math community on board in adopting changes...Full Article<https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/04/21/tpsemath-working-reform-math-education>

Article 12
How to Stop Cheating in College
Can new technologies help counter today's ever-evolving strategies for cheating-and discourage students from doing it in the first place?
By Margaret Barthel, The Atlantic | April 18, 2016

Cheating is omnipresent in American higher education. In 2015, Dartmouth College suspended 64 students<https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/01/08/dartmouth/GN8oLJcgKj7R1nOoPNiLdL/story.html> suspected of cheating in-irony of ironies-an ethics class in the fall term. The previous school year, University of Georgia administrators reported<http://www.redandblack.com/uganews/academic-dishonesty-reports-rise-in-specific-departments-at-uga/article_86f148ec-8829-11e5-b29f-4fee9223c69e.html> investigating 603 possible cheating incidents; nearly 70 percent of the cases concluded with a student confession. In 2012, Harvard had its turn,<http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2012/09/honor_code_considered_to_preve_1.html> investigating 125 students accused of improper collaboration on a final exam in a government class. Stanford University<http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2015/0329/Academic-dishonesty-at-Stanford-What-compels-elite-students-to-cheat>, New York State's Upstate Medical University<http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/upstate_medical_school_put_on_1.html>, Duke University<http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/01/us/01duke.html>, Indiana University,<http://www.theindychannel.com/news/education/cheating-scandal-rocks-iu-dental-school> the University of Central Florida<http://abcnews.go.com/Business/widespread-cheating-scandal-prompts-florida-professor-issues-ultimatum/story?id=11737137> and even the famously honor code-bound University of Virginia<https://www.thefire.org/cheating-scandal-at-uva-highlights-the-need-for-fairness-and-due-process/> have all faced cheating scandals in recent memory. And that's just where I stopped Googling.

The nationwide statistics are bleak, too. The International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI), which has studied trends in academic dishonesty for more than a decade, reports<http://www.academicintegrity.org/icai/integrity-3.php> that about 68 percent of undergraduate students surveyed admit to cheating on tests or in written work. Forty-three percent of graduate students do the same.
  It's easy to blame high levels of student dishonesty on new technologies, which can make cheating a matter of a swipe of a finger, rather than a stolen answer key or elaborate plot to share answers in the testing room. In a 2011 Pew study<http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/08/28/the-digital-revolution-and-higher-education/>, 89 percent of college presidents blamed computers and the Internet for a perceived increase in plagiarism over the previous decade. Meanwhile, colleges are turning technology against the cheaters, using software products that proctor tests with webcams or check written work for plagiarism...Full Article<http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/04/how-to-stop-cheating-in-college/479037/>
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