Education

Clarence voters reject budget, so do voters in handful of districts

Mark Scott — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:32:31 +0000

School budgets passed in most small city and suburban school districts Tuesday. In the most contentious budget vote, Clarence voters rejected a budget that would have increased property taxes by 9.8 percent.

Voters deciding school budgets

Eileen Buckley — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:19:06 +0000

Voters across Western New York are heading to the polls Tuesday to decide on school budgets and candidates in a number of districts. WBFO's Eileen Buckley has more on budget votes in the City of Niagara Falls and Clarence.

Students learn of the many opportunities medical science offers

Ashley Hassett — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:25:00 +0000

A group of Western New York high school students toured the Gates Vascular Institute in Buffalo to learn about medical science.

Fruit Belt charter school moving into former Mount St. Joe's

Mike Desmond — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:59:14 +0000

The Aloma D. Johnson Fruit Belt Community Charter School is moving into North Buffalo.

Press Pass: Peace Bridge Authority fight & Paladino reform fight for education

Eileen Buckley — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:54:21 +0000

The Peace Bridge Authority is the center of a dispute between U.S. and Canadian leaders as Governor Cuomo wants the Canadian general manager to leave. WBFO's Eileen Buckley talks with Investigative Post reporter Jim Heaney who has been following the developing issue over the last couple of weeks.

"Save Holy Angels" submits proposed recovery plan

WBFO Newsroom — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:04:00 +0000

The "Save Holy Angels" Committee submitted a plan Friday to try and prevent the all-girls, Catholic high school from closing in North Buffalo.

Teachers' union going to court to defend evaluation 'side deal'

Mike Desmond — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:27:00 +0000

Governor Cuomo and the State Education Department are saying a side deal between the Buffalo school district and the Buffalo Teachers Federation regarding teacher evaluations is illegal and should be blocked. The union is going to court to uphold the deal.

Paladino asks school board to halt employment actions

Mike Desmond — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:50:00 +0000

The day after a school board election and a few days before a Buffalo Teachers Federation election, Wednesday night's school board meeting was, at times, tense with politics front and center.

COMMUNITY Charter School granted temporary restraining order

Eileen Buckley — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:59:48 +0000

WBFO News has learned that the community charter school in Buffalo has been granted a temporary restraining order by state Supreme Court Justice John Michalek. It calls to block the state education's attempt to close down the school.

Holy Angels Academy parents make a plea to the board to keep the school open

WBFO Newsroom and Eileen Buckley — Tue, 07 May 2013 01:42:15 +0000

Some parents of students at Holy Angels Academy in North Buffalo are fighting the planned closing of the school. Monday night, a group of parents met with the Board of Trustees for a financial explanation.

Event showcases student innovation and creativity

Ashley Hassett — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:12:44 +0000

More than 100 kids showcased their ideas at the 11^th annual Western New York Invention Convention Sunday. The event took place at Medaille College in Buffalo. It was created to promote creative thinking and encourage scientific problem solving.

Buffalo school board elections Tuesday

Mike Desmond — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:30:16 +0000

A frequently nasty fight over control of the Buffalo school board is moving into its final hours, with results uncertain.

Mayor's proposed budget looks to tackle school attendance

Mike Desmond — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:36:56 +0000

The City of Buffalo puts more than $70 million into the school system every year and this year it's contributing a little more to put staffers to work ensuring that kids show up.

School board candidates debate education issues

Mike Desmond — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:14:29 +0000

With the Buffalo school board election a week away, eight candidates turned out Tuesday night for a debate in Lafayette Presbyterian Church.

Teachers' union to fight voided evaluation agreement

Chris Caya — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:50:57 +0000

The Buffalo School District plans to scrap its memorandum of understanding on teacher evaluations. In a written statement, Superintendent Dr. Pamela Brown says the State Education Department determined the MOU between the district and the Buffalo Teachers Federation is void.

State Regents denies COMMUNITY Charter School renewal

WBFO Newsroom — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:13:00 +0000

The New York State Board of Regents has voted not to renew COMMUNITY Charter School in Buffalo. The charter school's Board of Trustees and its leadership say they are reacting with "bitter disappointment". But the local charter school is fighting to remain open. WBFO's Eileen Buckley visited COMMUNITY Charter for a first hand look at how it serves students in grades K-8 in the city's Kensington neighborhood.

State Education Department voids teacher evaluation side deal

Mark Scott — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:10:19 +0000

The State Education Department has voided a January memorandum of understanding between the Buffalo school district and its teachers union on evaluations.

Teacher evaluation plan approved in Hamburg

WBFO Newsroom — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:38:52 +0000

Educators and administrators in Hamburg have approved a new teacher evaluation plan, one of the last districts in the state to do so.

Kenmore parent opts out of ELA test for daughter

Eileen Buckley — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:30:00 +0000

Students in grades three through eight are scheduled to take English Language Arts tests Tuesday across New York State. But as WBFO'S Eileen Buckley reports, some parents say they are opting out of the standardized testing.

State education commissioner encourages teachers & parents to embrace Common Core

Eileen Buckley — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:18:37 +0000

New York State Education leaders will hold a statewide news briefing late Monday morning to provide in-depth information on Common Core and Assessments. WBFO's Eileen Buckley had a chance to talk with state Education Commissioner John King during a visit to Buffalo last week about the ongoing debate over student assessments.

Scholarship programs prevents high school drops outs

Eileen Buckley — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

A scholarship program designed to prevent students from dropping out of school has received a major boost. The Wegman Family Charitable Foundation issued a challenge grant for up to 900-thousand dollars to the Buffalo Schools for support of the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley says the Hillside program currently serves 180-students at South Park and Bennett High Schools in Buffalo.

State Education commissioner responds to concerns over standardized tests

Eileen Buckley — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:59:28 +0000

New York State Education Commissioner John King was in Buffalo Wednesday. King visited South Park High School. While here, King was asked about the growing debate over the state's standardized tests.

Parents & kids call for more activity at Buffalo Schools

Mike Desmond — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:37:23 +0000

Buffalo Public school children just aren't getting enough exercise and parents aren't happy about it. A demonstration was held on the steps of City Hall Wednesday calling on the Board of Education to add more recess time.

Thousands rally for education tax credit

Ashley Hassett — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:20:23 +0000

More than 10,000 students, teachers, and administrators packed into First Niagara Center in Buffalo, Wednesday to rally for an education tax credit.

UB unveils design for downtown medical school: Building to be "Gateway"

WBFO Newsroom — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:22:27 +0000

The University at Buffalo has unveiled its design for its new downtown medical school.

St. Bona student named top 10 college women in U.S.

Eileen Buckley — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:09:37 +0000

A St. Bonaventure student has been honored by Glamour magazine for her teen volunteerism program. WBFO'S Eileen Buckley says the St. Bona junior was among 10-students recognized across the country for their campus leadership.

Plans to merge two-alternative schools under fire

Mike Desmond — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:54:29 +0000

A plan to merge and move Buffalo's two-alternative schools drew heavy fire Tuesday night at a public meeting.

Candidates lining up for Buffalo School Board

Mike Desmond — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

With a lot of talk about Buffalo Board of Education elections, the candidates are starting to file to run in the May 7 election.

Education advocates seek to de-emphasize standardized testing

Mike Desmond — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:33:22 +0000

Students need fewer standardized tests and more time with teachers, according to the group Western New Yorkers for Public Education.

Training program aims to fill jobs in food processing sector

Ashley Hassett — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:00:00 +0000

New food processing facilities are popping up across Western New York and they’re generating demand for skilled workers to operate them. Preparations are underway to train more local people for the industry.