We name 2013 the 'Year of Pope Francis'
We name Pope Francis and his ascendancy to the papacy the most significant news story of calendar year 2013 as far as US schools are concerned.
Staff & Reporter Archive
Paul Katula
Paul Katula is the executive editor of the Voxitatis Research Foundation, which publishes this blog. For more information, see the About page.
Stories by Paul Katula
IHSA: No lacrosse state series in IL for 2013-14
By Paul Katula
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The IL H S Assn says it will not sanction a state championship series in lacrosse for either boys or girls this spring because not enough high schools said they would participate in a boys' tournament.
What US schoolkids want for Christmas
By Paul Katula
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A professor of theology in Chicago wonders if schools and kids can get what they need this Christmas. Or, will they just get more expired toys?
Pope focuses on peace in his Christmas message
By Paul Katula
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Merry Christmas to all our readers. The pope's message this Christmas called on people to make a daily commitment to peace around the world and end violence. We join his prayer.
Danville IL schools to launch 'Parent University'
By Paul Katula
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We applaud Danville School District 118 for using part of its School Improvement Grant to establish monthly workshops where parents can learn more about what's happening in the school.
Science, too, laughs at Ron Burgundy, anchorman
By Paul Katula
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If you don't make it as a physician after finishing college, med school, and so on, you might want to apply for a job as a science consultant on the next Will Ferrell movie.
Md. accepts, by 2-1 vote, role as PARCC fiscal agent
By Paul Katula
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Maryland's Board of Public Works made it official last week: The state will assume the role as fiscal agent for a multi-state testing consortium.
High schoolers build prosthetic hand for 4-year-old
By Paul Katula
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Short story, powerful effect ... A high school robotics team steps in to build a prosthetic hand for a 4-year-old girl in Michigan who had outgrown her original prosthetic.
Twitter chatter about opting out of state tests
By Paul Katula
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We are seeing a dramatic increase in the number of Twitter conversations that suggest students and parents want to "opt out" of standardized testing.
Charles Co. to get planetarium; kids talk with astronauts
By Paul Katula
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STEM is taking root in Maryland schools, and Charles County, with a brand new science center (planetarium/IMAX), is making a big statement in terms of its students' futures.