Rethinking Social Media
In School

Superintendent's Facebook Posts Could Be Trouble

The new school superintendent in Windsor Locks, Conn., could face punishment for lighthearted Facebook exchanges he had involving administrators in the district and his lax approach to his job. (July 28, 2010)

2nd Student Files Suit Alleging Laptop Spying

A second lawsuit has been filed against a suburban Philadelphia school district accused of spying on students through cameras in school-issued laptop computers.

Online K-12 Education Surging, but Official Says 'It's Buyer, Beware'

In California, interest in online schools is surging as new virtual offerings flood the market, leading experts to warn parents that not all programs are equal. (July 26, 2010)

Idaho Judge Dismisses Syringa's Broadband Bid Lawsuit

The telephone company consortium claimed the Idaho Department of Administration illegally handed a competitor a $60 million contract to install the Idaho Education Network’s broadband infrastructure. (July 27, 2010)

Oklahoma Colleges Embrace iPad to Help Students

Officials throughout the state hope that the devices will offer flexibility and functionality while also providing relief for college students' spines and wallets. (July 26, 2010)

Campus Aims to Bridge Tech Divide Between Youth, Academia

Backed by the results of a federal study on the topic, the University of Missouri System aims to blend electronic and face-to-face interaction for more effective learning. (July 23, 2010)

Education Inventors Get Boost Under New Programs

A movement is under way to make it easier for entrepreneurs to navigate the lucrative and sometimes-tricky education market and introduce new technology and products into classrooms. (July 23, 2010)

India Unveils Prototype of $35 Tablet Computer

India has unveiled the prototype of a $35 basic touchscreen tablet aimed at students, which it hopes to bring into production by 2011. (July 23, 2010)

Hawaii Schools Move to Online Testing

Officials hope switching to online testing for reading and math proficiency will improve scores and appeal more to today's tech-savvy students. (July 22, 2010)

Testing Company Offers Statewide Apology for Problems

Wyoming students, teachers, and parents are getting a published apology for technical problems that interrupted a state standardized test, but some say they would simply prefer a working exam. (July 20, 2010)

Data Project Will Track N.D. Students' Progress

The statewide longitudinal data system will be able to track whether students are getting training for jobs that are in high demand. (July 21, 2010)

Judge Reconsiders Idaho Broadband Contract Case

A state judge who dismissed a lawsuit against the Idaho Department of Administration over its decision to award a multimillion-dollar broadband contract is backtracking and will issue a new ruling. (July 21, 2010)

Indiana to Open Second Virtual Charter

At Indiana Connections Academy Virtual Pilot School, about 280 students in the first through eighth grades will work with teachers in live, online classrooms. (July 19, 2010)

Detroit to Open High-Tech Security Center

Security in Detroit's public schools will get a boost this year when the district opens a new police headquarters that will serve as a high-tech hub for surveillance. (July 19, 2010)

Ga. District Targets Cyber Bullies

The Glynn County school district's student behavior code will now reflect a state law that prohibits cyber-bullying on school property, through either personal or school-owned electronic technology. (July 19, 2010)

Educators Connect Digital Games to Learning

But the lack of training programs for how to integrate games into classrooms is slowing the adoption of this approach. (June 14, 2010)

Districts Employ Creative IT Purchasing Tactics

Chief information officers are using a host of approaches to drive down technology prices and get the best deals for their schools. (June 14, 2010)

Wisconsin Court Says Teacher E-mails Are Private

The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that e-mails sent by public employees on their work computers are not always subject to the state open records law. (July 16, 2010)

E-Education Inc. Seeks the Mainstream

For-profit online course providers are expanding in the K-12 market, but experts urge schools to critically evaluate the benefits the companies tout.

Schools Fall Behind in Offering Computer Science

The College Board and the National Science Foundation are among those pressing initiatives to expose more students to the subject. (July 13, 2010)