California dodges Common Core controversy

In California, the Common Core rollout has happened with next to no controversy, thanks to a decision not to tie student test scores to teacher performance.

By Kate Schimel • June 23, 2015

Schools find new tools in push for green buildings

Schools withough the cash on hand to start construction projects still getting the job done via performance contracting.

By Kate Schimel • June 23, 2015

New York district finds opportunity in enrollment decline

By giving startups a home in empty class space, Schodack Central School District is providing additional learning opportunities to students.

By Kate Schimel • June 23, 2015

Video game developers, educators find common ground

Adapting video games for learning has a rocky history, but can a new boom with pushes for collaboration from the federal government find success?

By Kate Schimel • June 22, 2015

Illinois district tries new approach for STEM education

In Lake County, IL, students excited about STEM are getting a unique chance to learn science in a new way. What prompted the district to make the change?

By Kate Schimel • June 22, 2015

Nonfiction finds its way into English classrooms

Under standards like Common Core, English teachers will soon have to incorporate everything from historic speeches to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

By Kate Schimel • June 22, 2015

Schools increasingly looking to accommodate transgender students

In places like Green Bay, WI, schools are taking a new approach to making sure transgender students feel comfortable in classrooms and school buildings.

By Kate Schimel • June 22, 2015

Texas eliminates jail time for missing school

On Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a new law decriminalizing truancy and ending the practice of fining students for unexcused absences.

By Kate Schimel • June 22, 2015

Vista Equity Partners acquires Pearson's PowerSchool for $350M

Pearson has been trying to sell the student information system since February.

By Allie Gross • June 19, 2015

NYC schools must submit diversity reports under new law

A bill signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio requires the city's schools to up the ante when it comes to enrolling a diverse student body.

By Allie Gross • June 19, 2015

Ohio charter accountability system excludes certain school types

Charter critics are bemoaning the exclusion of online and dropout recovery schools in the state's charter school sponsor ratings.

By Allie Gross • June 19, 2015

Utah's Herbert wants more say in ed policy

Gary Herbert is one of many governors who'd like to see legislators and governors have more local control in meeting education requirements.

By Allie Gross • June 19, 2015

Ed insiders weigh in on slew of student privacy bills

A Whiteboard Advisors survey shows one of three data privacy bills with more favor among current and former federal staffers and state ed officials.

By Roger Riddell • June 18, 2015

7 billionaires who made their fortunes in education

Far from the first industry that comes to mind when people think of billionaires, education has still made a handful of businessmen very wealthy.

By Roger Riddell • June 18, 2015

Vermont allocates $300K to find out adequate cost of education

A vendor has yet to be announced, but should be in place by next month.

By Deborah Barrington • June 18, 2015

Real world science experiments producing better classroom results

Student participation in a daylong field trip to Washington's Elwha River have led to higher test scores in science.

By Deborah Barrington • June 18, 2015

Per-student funding doesn't add up in Pennsylvania

Purchase Line receives about $8,700 per student and Curwensville gets about $6,500 per student, despite both districts being similar in wealth and enrollment.   

By Deborah Barrington • June 18, 2015

Investors pony up $145M in May ed tech funding

Forty-one investors contributed to 18 deals, not counting mergers and acquisitions, to push funding for the month.

By Deborah Barrington • June 18, 2015

New competency-based program aims to improve teacher education

Former Teachers College President Arthur Levine has shifted from critiquing teacher ed to launching a new program.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 17, 2015

Ohio charter school accused of defrauding taxpayers of $1.2M

While state auditor Dave Yost has closed the Dayton charter school, he says the school also billed the state $1.2 million for students that weren't even attending the school. 

By Allie Gross • June 17, 2015

College Board to throw out two SAT sections over misprint

Students who took the exam on June 6 were reportedly allotted less time on the sections due to an error.

By Allie Gross • June 17, 2015

Collaborative effort taking shape in student data privacy arena

Los Angeles and New York are among 20 districts helping to create a privacy and safety rubric to be applied to education apps. 

By Allie Gross • June 17, 2015

Study: Green spaces boost kids' memories, attentiveness

The results of the study could influence decisions around school design, particularly in urban settings.

By Allie Gross • June 17, 2015

100 Virginia students to pilot virtual high school program

If successful, the fully online alternative would make Virginia the 11th state to offer such an option.

By Roger Riddell • June 16, 2015

EdX offers dozens of new courses to combat 'summer slide'

A partnership with the National Summer Learning Association aims to give high school and college students academic opportunities outside of the classroom.

By Tara García Mathewson • June 16, 2015