Rutgers University President Robert L. Barchi will step down after the upcoming school year, according to a university official with knowledge of the president’s plans.The resignation, expected to be announced this week, will end a more than seven-year tenure during which Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference and completed the largest higher education merger in American history.Barchi, 72, was traveling Sunday and is unavailable to comment, according to the university. A board-certified neurologist and former president of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Barchi came to Rutgers in 2012 with the state university on the verge of historic changes.His arrival ushered in an era of expansion as Rutgers merged with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and transformed its New Brunswick campus with a new honors college and a series of sparking modern buildings.However, Barchi’s administration was also rocked by multiple athletics scandals. Those … [Read more...] about Rutgers president Robert L. Barchi will step down in 2020
Education
A surprise each fall: Back to school supply, fee costs
Whether it’s high school or elementary, between school supplies, registration fees, extra-curricular activity fees and additional course fees, going back to school can cost a pretty parental penny.According to state law, “No fees of any kind shall be collected from children attending any of the first six grades during the school term supported by public taxation.” That has been interpreted to mean kindergarten through fifth grade. While children in Kindergarten through fifth grade may not be charged required dues and fees, it is not 100% free. Many schools ask students for classroom supplies and field trip fees.Mountain Brook Elementary Kindergarten fees include $24 for activities, $50 for field trips, $22 for a yearbook, $68 for school supplies, and $35 for curriculum enhancement.School fees vary drastically between districts. Wealthier districts are able to offer a wider range of courses and opportunities for students, in addition to coursework required for … [Read more...] about A surprise each fall: Back to school supply, fee costs
Police: Teens confess to roles in crime spree
Five teenagers — the youngest a 13-year-old girl — confessed to taking part in a "violent crime spree" that included four drive-by shootings and a home invasion robbery involving members of rival cliques, according to court documents. Three of the four shootings occurred in front of the same residence in the 2100 block of N Nebraska Avenue, including two shootings on July 1. A third drive-by shooting at the same residence and the robbery at a separate location occurred within six hours of each other on July 9, police reported in search warrant and probable cause affidavits. Officers investigating the home invasion robbery arrested the teens following a vehicle pursuit that ended in a multi-car injury crash near the intersection of Northwest Expressway and N Independence. Four teens, ages 14, 15, 16 and 17, attempted to run from the crash scene but were apprehended, police said. Four firearms were recovered, including an assault rifle, police reported. The Oklahoman has … [Read more...] about Police: Teens confess to roles in crime spree
Opinions harden amid Epic investigation
“Epic’s spin is that they are just trying to bring competition (to education) and the status quo,” said John Thompson, a retired Oklahoma City teacher who writes about education. “But that’s not just an example of competition, that’s trying to defeat your opponents and slander your opponents ... and the opponents have become anything that puts attention on their questionable practices." Epic’s critics have used the OSBI investigation as a reason to call for systematic change for virtual charters. State Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee, said state funding for Epic should be discontinued until a full audit is performed. House Minority Leader Emily Virgin said she hoped public officials would act even though Epic leaders have been major contributors to political campaigns. "If we have a school that is defrauding the state to this magnitude, at a minimum, it shows a systematic flaw exists in the regulation of online and charter schools in our state," … [Read more...] about Opinions harden amid Epic investigation
House will study virtual charter schools
"The current headlines demonstrate why a study of virtual school attendance is urgently needed," Provenzano said after her interim study proposal had been denied. "So what are we blocking legislative inquiry?" McCall's office said space limitations during the current Capitol restoration project required a maximum of two studies per House member. Provenzano and Waldrop had two other requests approved but the virtual attendance study was denied because another similar request had been approved, according to McCall's office. One of Provenzano's concerns is assignment-based attendance policies practiced by online schools, rather than a daily online engagement count. McCall denied 56 other interim studies, including nearly all of the healthcare related study requests because the House and Senate are creating a joint healthcare working group (similar to last summer's medical marijuana working group), according to McCall's office. McCall did approve a study into the disconnect between … [Read more...] about House will study virtual charter schools