How School Initiatives Fared in the Election

Election Day in the United States featured many initiatives and propositions that directly affect public education. A friend from high school days campaigned for the better part of 2011 and 2012 against ballot initiatives in Idaho.  Education funding fell in more than half the states this year, and 35 are still spending at levels lower than before the recession, after adjusting for inflation.

Here is a synopsis from Kevin Hogan:

Yes, there has been news beyond the East Coast storms and the President’s re-election. Sometimes the most telling trends in edtech come from local coverage of election day: The news wasn’t good for proponent of a bond referendum in Osseo Area School District. The failed levy had asked for $5 million-per-year for 10 years to go toward classroom equipment, curriculum materials, staff training, and infrastructure. Voters in Southwest Valley school districts in Arizona also rejected funding requests for both new facilities and new technologies. It’s not all bad news however. Voters in Hudson, OH school district approved a 5-year, 1.5-mill permanent improvement fund levy renewal, on Election Day, with about 66 percent in favor. Dorchester, MA voters also endorsed a $179 million bond referendum that will help build new schools and maintain existing schools.  from the blog comments of Kevin Hogan, Editorial Director for Tech & Learning News