Sir Ken Robinson: Standardization alienates teachers and students

The man behind the most-viewed TED Talk says a standards-based culture makes it harder for educators to engage and inspire students.

By Allie Gross • April 22, 2015

Unions finding unlikely allies in push against standardized testing

While teacher unions have 'lost' on issues like evaluations and tenures, they are gaining traction when it comes to pushback against high-stakes testing.

By Allie Gross • April 22, 2015

ACT study finds fewer high school students wanting to be educators

Only 5% of the 1.85 million high school students who took the exam in 2014 said they wanted to be teachers.

By Allie Gross • April 22, 2015

K-12 Title VI complaints another big focus of DOE investigations

While most media attention around DOE complaints focuses on Title IX violations in higher ed, the department has also investigated several K-12 Title VI cases in recent years.

By Allie Gross • April 21, 2015

Florida, Nevada latest states to report testing glitches

Florida education commissioner is lashing out at its testing contractor, American Institutes for Research, over a technical change that wasn't approved by the state.

By Allie Gross • April 21, 2015

Does school choice hurt student achievement?

According to a new Center for Tax and Budget Accountability report, Indiana's school choice legislation cuts into traditional public school funding.

By Allie Gross • April 21, 2015

SEC probing LAUSD iPad initiative

The informal investigation is looking at whether or not school officials used bonds legally in the abandoned $1.3 billion program. 

By Allie Gross • April 21, 2015

Cooke Foundation gives $500K to exceptional high schools

The funds will help high schools in six states admit and graduate low-income students.

By Allie Gross • April 21, 2015

Should students be served breakfast in classrooms?

Some parents and teachers argue that serving breakfast in the classroom wastes time that should go toward learning. 

By Allie Gross • April 21, 2015

$97M in Illinois ed funding to be reinstated

Around 600 of the state's more than 800 districts have money coming their way, but the restored funds still don't make up for an overall 2.25% budget cut.

By Allie Gross • April 20, 2015

Minnesota's $343M preschool plan breeds uncertainty

Lawmakers say logistical details must be addressed before they embrace Gov. Mark Dayton’s universal pre-k proposal. 

By Allie Gross • April 20, 2015

CT selects teacher as new ed chief; union pleased

Upon announcing Dianna Wentzell as the next education commissioner, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy stressed her background as a teacher. 

By Allie Gross • April 20, 2015

Learning Accelorator invests $2M in open educational resources

The funds will go to 10 companies that have until summer to create open ed prototypes. 

By Allie Gross • April 20, 2015

Chicago schools CEO taking paid leave as feds investigate

Federal investigators are looking into a $20.5 million no-bid contract with CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett's former employer, SUPES Academy.

By Allie Gross • April 20, 2015

Michigan Senate approves diplomas with STEM certifications

If the state's House and Gov. Rick Snyder approve, Michigan will be the first state to offer such an endorsement on diplomas.

By Allie Gross • April 17, 2015

Discovery Education and Intel Security release cyberethics module

The new offering is part of the Intel Security Digital Safety Program, which aims to teach students about making smart decisions online.

By Allie Gross • April 17, 2015

Montana to give districts test waivers due to computer glitches

Almost a quarter of the state's 800 public schools are going to cancel or limit testing.  

By Allie Gross • April 17, 2015

Common Sense Education launches digital literacy platform

Digital Compass teaches students in grades 6-9 skills relating to cyberbullying, security, and ethical behavior.  

By Allie Gross • April 17, 2015

Feds investigate CPS chief for $20.5M no-bid contract

A few months after Rahm Emanuel appointed Barbara Byrd-Bennett as CEO in fall 2012, the district entered a no-bid contract with her former employer.

By Allie Gross • April 17, 2015

LAUSD to Apple: We want a refund on iPads

The Los Angeles Unified School District says it won't pay another dollar for Pearson curriculum included in its failed 1:1 iPad deployment.

By Roger Riddell • April 16, 2015

California vaccination bill stalled

A bill requiring all school children in the state to get vaccinated has reached a standstill after parents opposed to the bill cited the fact that all children are entitled to an education, vaccinated or not.

By Allie Gross • April 16, 2015

Illinois selects new ed chief

Tony Smith, the former superintendent of California's Oakland Unified School District, is known as a supporter of charter schools and foe of unions.

By Allie Gross • April 16, 2015

Vermont governor backs down on school merger bill

While the Shumlin administration initially supported a bill that would merge districts, it is now distancing itself due to complaints from schools.

By Allie Gross • April 16, 2015

Bill removing Ritz from IN ed board heads to senate

The bill is the latest is the ongoing battle for power between Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and State Superintendent Glenda Ritz.

By Allie Gross • April 16, 2015

UPDATED: 'Every Child Achieves Act' passes Senate education committee

As of Wednesday afternoon, 24 amendments have been passed, six were nixed, and several were proposed for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

By Allie Gross • April 16, 2015