In bipartisan moment, Congress passes student loan bill
The House passed the student loan bill with what can only be described as a strong bipartisan majority, sending the bill to the president for his certain signature.
School News
PARCC states, incl. IL and MD, announce field test plans
Field test plans for the new PARCC tests in math and English/language arts, which are aligned to the Common Core, have been announced.
Advice for Maryland schools from Calvin Coolidge
What will Maryland's public schools do, now that they know the test they are planning to give students isn't totally aligned with the Common Core standards teachers are being asked to teach?
Md. educators call for moratorium on MSA test
Some educators in Maryland have asked the state to end the standardized test known as the MSA, since it is aligned to learning standards that are no longer used in the state.
Costs, technology drive Georgia etc. out of PARCC
Georgia has dropped out of a major testing consortium, and other states are considering the idea, due primarily to the increased costs they would incur and to technology concerns.
Digital GED will get harder, more expensive
The cost for the GED will increase in most states on Jan. 1, and the test is expected to be harder as questions are adjusted to test content in the Common Core.
Yeshiva can't lease former NY school below market rate
Should private, religious schools be allowed to rent space in former public school buildings at rates that are far below market? New York State says no.
Shrinking middle class & location affect income mobility
Helping to lift poor kids out of poverty is one of education's most enduring missions. It helps, but other factors also play a huge role in upward mobility.
Md. scores dip slightly as schools prepare for new tests
The scores on the Maryland School Assessment show a slight dip, owing in part to the state's switch to the new Common Core standards.
Teacher tenure gives way to vouchers in North Carolina
Cuts to North Carolina's state budget may result in a "path toward mediocrity," according to some liberal politicians and education advocates. Unfortunately, the Republicans are in control in the state.