Christie waffles on Common Core

The New Jersey Governor does an about-face, turning against the standards he has made such a big deal about his state adopting.

By Allie Gross • June 2, 2015

Chicago schools CEO steps down as investigation continues

Barbara Byrd-Bennett's resignation comes as feds scrutinize a $20.5 million no-bid contract that CPS entered with her former employer in 2013.

By Allie Gross • June 2, 2015

Tensions remain after Minnesota's Dayton caves on pre-K

The governor and state Republicans still disagree over a handful of issues ranging from school funding to bathrooms for transgender students.

By Roger Riddell • June 1, 2015

Tennessee lawsuit against school funding formula seeks class action status

The lawsuit alleges the state's Basic Education Program fails to fulfill the state constitution's public education promise.

By Allie Gross • June 1, 2015

Alabama House passes school budget with no raises for teachers

The unanimously approved budget provides an additional $49.6 million for classrooms throughout the state.

By Randy Lilleston • May 28, 2015

Survey: School violence drops but security still boosted

The tighter security measures came in a period of four years when there was a drop in violent crime at schools, but at a time of high-profile incidents.

By Randy Lilleston • May 28, 2015

Global Policy Agenda takes aim at overreliance on standardized testing

ASCD's report focuses on engaging the needs of the whole child as well as the current high-stakes testing craze. 

By Allie Gross • May 28, 2015

Districts across the nation struggle to create social media boundaries between students and teachers

A spike in the number of uncovered relationships between students and teachers has led some districts to ponder ways to ensure social media connectivity does not cross a line. 

By Allie Gross • May 28, 2015

Michigan senate wants to punish the families of truant kids by taking away welfare funds

The bill halts welfare payments to families if they have a child under the age of 16 that has missed too much school. 

By Allie Gross • May 28, 2015

NY City Council ed committee votes in favor of diversity reporting

The unanimously approved bill requires the city's Department of Education to release diversity statements.

By Allie Gross • May 27, 2015

Delaware legislators push against governor's ed reforms

Legislators in the General Assembly have been dubious of  Governor Jack Markell's reform plans, specifically they are critical of the way he has spent $119 million in Race to the Top funding.

By Allie Gross • May 27, 2015

NY appoints longtime teacher, administrator as ed dept leader

Officials cited MaryEllen Elia's teaching experience, previous administrative roles and management style as key qualities that led to her hiring. 

By Allie Gross • May 27, 2015

Albuquerque votes to withhold PARCC payments

The board voted 4-3 to to withhold the $1.4 million it owes for the exams.

By Allie Gross • May 27, 2015

Ed Dept: Hold schools accountable for high opt-out numbers

The federal government has denied Colorado education officals' request to give schools leeway due to large numbers of students opting-out. 

By Allie Gross • May 26, 2015

Ranking disparities: What defines high-quality education in a state?

Measures of a state's educational quality can vary widely depending on a ranking's methodology.

By Roger Riddell • May 22, 2015

Dayton's stand on univeral pre-K has unintended consequences

The Minnesota governor's veto of a $17 billion education spending bill could see layoffs come as early as June 1.

By Allie Gross • May 22, 2015

Opt-out movement in New York from jaw dropping to 'political force'

One in six New York students opted out of at least one of the state's two standardized tests this year.

By Allie Gross • May 22, 2015

Arizona ed chief takes board relocation to court

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas is asking a judge to weigh in on the state board of education's move to the executive tower.

By Allie Gross • May 22, 2015

Oregon legislature likely to nix Kitzhaber's ed board

Former governor John Kitzhaber created the board four years ago with the goal of streamlining education decisions from pre-K through college.

By Allie Gross • May 22, 2015

PARCC cutting 90 minutes from exam

The consortium's board will also require that testing occur during a 30-day window at the end of the school year, as opposed to two testing periods in late and early spring. 

By Allie Gross • May 22, 2015

Unapproved calculators cause testing issues in several Florida counties

One of the districts had nearly 800 math tests thrown out because proctors issued the wrong calculators. 

By Allie Gross • May 21, 2015

UK study finds connection between cell phone bans and higher test scores

The research shows that once cell phones were banned in British schools, test scores increased by 6.4% of a standard deviation. 

By Allie Gross • May 21, 2015

Pearson loses Texas testing account to ETS after 15-year relationship

The news is a big financial gut-punch to Pearson, especially considering the size of the Lone Star State. 

By Allie Gross • May 20, 2015

Lawsuit: California district fails to address complex trauma

Four students and three teachers are suing California's Compton Unified School District.

By Allie Gross • May 20, 2015

Report: Michigan ed at risk of falling behind

Education Trust-Midwest's annual Michigan Achieves report sees the state dropping into the bottom 10 on student achievement by 2030. 

By Allie Gross • May 20, 2015