Afternoon Announcements: Nevada Focuses Attention, Funds on ELLs

District leaders are calling for more time for teachers to prepare for the transition to the Common Core State Standards. “We must make adequate time for a thoughtful conversation about how assessments can be used to provide instructionally useful information to schools in a timely manner,” say four organizations representing school district leaders in a statement. “Adequate” is not defined. Politics K-12

Some education leaders in Nevada want to increase per pupil spending on English-language learners. With a disproportionate number of students learning English in school, the sees a possibility of increasing overall graduation numbers and potential earnings by focusing on ELLs. Education Week

Delaware wants to decrease the gap between jobs available in STEM fields – science, technology, engineering, and math – and trained workers to fill them. To do this, the state wants to match students with companies in these fields, in an effort to ensure students are able to compete in a tough job market. Delaware Online

The Council of Chief State School Officers has drafted a document rejecting calls for a moratorium on high stakes tied to the Common Core State Standards. In it, they request flexibility for states to make the transition. Politics K-12