2 states add citizenship test for graduation; Md. next?
Should passing a basic citizenship test be a requirement for high school graduation? Some state legislators think it should.
School News
Md. school test coordinator raises PARCC issues
We respond, once again, to objections levied by a Md. charter school test coordinator about the PARCC tests.
Will Vt. ban teachers’ strikes?
Vermont is 1 of 13 states where teachers' strikes aren't completely illegal. But that might change this legislative season.
Handguns in Baltimore, Dunlap
Schools went on lockdown in Baltimore and a small IL town last week due to student-handgun issues. All are safe. Students were arrested or detained.
Suspensions down in Chi-town
Recognizing the academic benefits of keeping kids in schools, movements are afoot everywhere to reduce out-of-school suspensions, including IL (SB 100).
Heroin in Md. high schools
Heroin use by high school students in Md. increased significantly from 2005 to 2013. The new governor's new task force is looking to do something about that.
2 Aurora teens killed in SUV vs semi crash
We take a closer look at teenage driving fatalities after 2 students from IL were laid to rest after dying in a crash last week.
Sharp criticism about starting school after Labor Day
The battle in Md. to hold off on starting the school year until after Labor Day has come up against roadblocks in the state house.
Md. parent rambles about Common Core standards
We respond, yet once again, to a parent who fails to see the benefits of the Common Core State Standards or the tests that are designed to measure them.
Kids in the tanning salon
Proposed legislation in Md. that aims to reduce the use of tanning beds by children never made it out of the 1st House committee.