Federal

Study Finds NCLB Law Lifted Math Scores

Researchers found large gains in math scores for 4th graders and moderate ones for 8th graders, but no similar evidence for reading achievement. November 20, 2009

Sex Education Looms in Health-Care Overhaul

Advocates on both sides are watching to see whether Congress will come down on paying for "abstinence-only" or "comprehensive" programs. November 20, 2009

Lawmakers Send Few Minorities to U.S. Military Academies

November 20, 2009, AP

Tighter Tracking Vowed on Stimulus Jobs Impact

Obama administration officials concede reporting errors, but tell skeptics in Congress the program is creating and saving many jobs. November 19, 2009

Changes Urged in Rules for Federal Innovation Aid

Philanthropies question a draft plan to require matching funds from applicants for the Education Department’s $650 million “i3” program. November 19, 2009

News Briefs

Health Officials Set Swine-Flu Toll On U.S. Children at 540 Deaths

Government health officials say swine flu has sickened about 22 million Americans since April, and about 4,000 have died, including 540 children. November 17, 2009

Federal Report Faults N.Y. State Over Monitoring of Stimulus Funds

New York state needs to improve the way it monitors how districts and others spend their stimulus dollars, the U.S. Department of Education's office of the inspector general reported last week. November 17, 2009

Work Groups Picked for K-12 Standards

The members of the "work groups" for developing K-12 standards in English-language arts and mathematics were announced last week. November 17, 2009

Rules Issued for State Fiscal Stabilization Aid, Round 2

States will have to meet 35 detailed reporting requirements to qualify for this pot of $11.5 billion in economic-stimulus money. November 16, 2009

Tribal Leaders Say Resources Wanting

Native American tribal leaders are telling federal education officials that the government needs to provide resources for early-childhood education, after-school programs, and other services in schools that serve American Indian children. November 10, 2009

Data Systems Lack Privacy Safeguards

As states go about building longitudinal-data systems, some have not taken adequate actions to safeguard sensitive information in student records, a new study concludes. November 3, 2009

More News Briefs

Students Sue Tenn. County

November 18, 2009, AP

N.J. Teen Barred From Abortion Protest Sues School

November 18, 2009, AP

Prospect of Health-Plan Tax Draws Union Opposition

Labor leaders and analysts warn that costs would be passed on to workers in the form of higher premiums—or curtailed benefits. November 17, 2009

Judge Tells Chicago to Let Students Transfer

November 16, 2009, AP

Michelle Obama Talks Tests, Mentoring to Students

November 16, 2009, AP

Rules Set for $4 Billion Race to Top Contest

State-level reform, local buy-in, and teacher quality will count heavily in determining which states get the federal stimulus grants. November 16, 2009

Commentary

The New War Against Ed Schools

Instead of scolding schools of education, the nation's secretary of education needs to offer more constructive ideas for change, writes Pedro A. Noguera. November 16, 2009

Education Department to Demand School Pay Data

The goal of the plan is to find out how salary spending differs between schools receiving Title I funds and lower-poverty ones. November 16, 2009

U.S. Solicits Input for New Ed-Tech Plan

Some people in the field are concerned about the lack of recommendations from educators for guiding the plan's development. November 13, 2009

Funding for Common Assessments Poses Challenge

Updated: November 16, 2009

Hawaii's Teacher Furloughs Called Mind-Boggling

November 13, 2009, AP

Mich. Schools Chief Says Laws Needed to Get Grants

November 12, 2009, AP

Rules Set for $4 Billion 'Race to Top' Contest

Updated: November 13, 2009