November 3, 2010

Education Week, Vol. 30, Issue 10
President Barack Obama tours an exhibit set up by students from Blue Bell, Pa., who build a robot that plays soccer, during a science fair he hosted at the White House last month. "I've had the Lakers here, the Saints, the Crimson Tide," he said. "I thought we ought to do the same thing for the winners of science fairs and robotic contests and math competitions."
President Barack Obama tours an exhibit set up by students from Blue Bell, Pa., who build a robot that plays soccer, during a science fair he hosted at the White House last month. "I've had the Lakers here, the Saints, the Crimson Tide," he said. "I thought we ought to do the same thing for the winners of science fairs and robotic contests and math competitions."
Susan Walsh/AP
Mathematics Obama Plays Cheerleader For STEM
While most believe the president’s interest in the topic is genuine, some say his advocacy carries political benefits as well.
Erik W. Robelen, November 2, 2010
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6 min read
School Climate & Safety Guidance Says Bullying May Violate Civil Rights
The Education Department puts school officials on notice that harassment based on sex-role or religious stereotypes may be federal violations.
Christina A. Samuels, November 2, 2010
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3 min read
As his mother, Karen Driscoll, left, looks on, Paul Driscoll, a 12-year-old with autism, takes a break after getting overstimulated during playtime. Behavior challenges, a symptom of autism, affect an individual's ability to function in all areas of life.
As his mother, Karen Driscoll, left, looks on, Paul Driscoll, a 12-year-old with autism, takes a break after getting overstimulated during playtime. Behavior challenges, a symptom of autism, affect an individual's ability to function in all areas of life.
Sandy Huffaker for Education Week
School Choice & Charters Vouchers Proposed for Disabled Pupils in Military Homes
A pilot $5 million tuition-voucher program is among several items in the defense-spending bill that are intended to improve schooling for children with special needs from military families.
Christina A. Samuels, November 2, 2010
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4 min read
Federal Tests' Rigor Varies Plenty State to State
A new study finds dramatic variation among states in what it takes for students to reach "proficient" levels on exams.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 2, 2010
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4 min read
Federal Stakeholders Served Ed. Dept. Update
Education Secretary Arne Duncan tells stakeholders the department still hopes to get $300 million from Congress for a new early-childhood education initiative.
Alyson Klein, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Report: States Should Track Early Dropout Indicators
When states gather graduation-rate data, a new report says, they should also take a look at the early-warning signs of dropping out.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Teaching Profession Report Roundup Preschool
More-intensive preschool teacher training and mentoring could boost the effectiveness of early-childhood education.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Report Roundup Pipeline to College
A new report examines the South's struggles to prepare students for skilled jobs, and looks at where, specifically, students in individual Southern states fall out of the high school-to-college pipeline.
Sean Cavanagh, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Report Roundup Early College
A new guide provides information to help state and local policymakers develop, expand, and scale up early-college programs for underprepared, low-income students.
Caralee J. Adams, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Education Funding Report Roundup Education Giving
A philanthropic watchdog group released a report pointing out how few of the major philanthropies that support education focus most of their efforts on helping the neediest students.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
IT Infrastructure & Management Report Roundup Data Management
The New York City school district's experience in implementing a new data-management system aimed at making a wealth of student-level data available to teachers is the subject of a new report.
Dakarai I. Aarons, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
A portrait of Sladjana Vidovic, whose 2008 suicide was said to have been prompted by bullying, sits in the living room of her family's home in Mentor, Ohio.
A portrait of Sladjana Vidovic, whose 2008 suicide was said to have been prompted by bullying, sits in the living room of her family's home in Mentor, Ohio.
Amy Sancetta/AP
School Climate & Safety Report Roundup Research Report: Bullying
Half of high school students say they've bullied someone in the past year, and nearly half say they've been the victim of bullying, according to a national study.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Professional Development Report Roundup Study Tracks Training Of Principals in 8 Cities
The scarcity of so-called "turnaround principals" has led more urban districts to get involved directly with local colleges of education and other training programs to groom a specialized group of new leaders.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Education Clarification Clarification
A Commentary on school turnarounds in the Oct. 27, 2010, issue of Education Week reported that Cincinnati's Taft High School had been nominated as a national Blue Ribbon School. The school was officially named a Blue Ribbon School in September.
November 2, 2010
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Rhode Island Considers 2-Tiered Diploma System
Rhode Island's top education officials are considering a two-tiered high school graduation system that would reward the state's top students with a special diploma from the state board of education. Most students would continue to receive diplomas from their local school systems.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Education News in Brief Minneapolis Ordered to Pay Workers $17 Million
A state arbitrator has ordered the Minneapolis school district to pay nearly $17 million to teachers and support-staff members.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Education Funding News in Brief Colo. Governor Proposes Education Cuts
Gov. Bill Ritter plans to close part of a $262 million shortfall in this years Colorado state budget by using federal education funds.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness News in Brief Ga. Graduation Rate Hits All-Time High
Georgia's high school graduation rate rose to 80.8 percent in 2010, up 17 points from 2003 to an all-time high, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Science News in Brief Michigan State Launches Math-Science Institute
Michigan State University is expanding its efforts to improve math and science education by creating a new research center.
Erik W. Robelen, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Curriculum News in Brief Textbook Publisher to Correct Black Civil War Troops Error
The publisher of a Virginia textbook says it plans to correct a passage that claims that thousands of black troops fought for the Confederacy.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Philadelphia Schools Chief Named Top Urban Leader
Superintendent Arlene Ackerman of the Philadelphia public schools has been named the nation's top urban school leader by the Council of the Great City Schools.
McClatchy-Tribune, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness News in Brief College Tuition Rises Again, But So Does Grant Support
Tuition at public four-year colleges and universities increased by an average 7.9 percent this school year, according to a report by the College Board.
Caralee J. Adams, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
School Climate & Safety News in Brief School Bus Seat Belts Found Not Cost-Effective
School buses are safe enough without seat belts, and students in many cases ignore a requirement to wear them, according to an Alabama report.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Law & Courts News in Brief Court Upholds Schools' Firing Of Workers for Old Crimes
Ohio school districts didn't violate the law when they fired dozens of employees over long-ago criminal convictions, the state supreme court ruled last week.
McClatchy-Tribune, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
School Climate & Safety News in Brief N.J. Weighs Law Against Bullying
New Jersey lawmakers introduced an "anti-bullying bill of rights," following the widely publicized suicide of a Rutgers University student whose encounter with another male student was videotaped and posted online.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
Education News in Brief Audit Criticizes Hiring for L.A. School Work
An audit of hiring practices in the Los Angeles Unified School District's $20 billion construction program has revealed nearly 230 possible conflicts of interest.
The Associated Press, November 2, 2010
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Fewer Black Males Drop Out in Baltimore Schools
Educators say black, male students are driving the improvements in Baltimore’s graduation and dropout rates.
Dakarai I. Aarons, November 2, 2010
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5 min read
Education Best of the Blogs Blogs of the Week
| VIEWS | BRIDGING DIFFERENCES
November 1, 2010
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4 min read
School & District Management Opinion Beating the Odds in Urban Schools
For children with social and economic challenges, protection must come from many sources, explain Bolgen Vargas and Jean-Claude Brizard.
Bolgen Vargas & Jean-Claude Brizard, November 1, 2010
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7 min read
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