Hispanic students make strides on AP exams, College Board reports

The number of Hispanic students taking AP exams has increased dramatically, the College Board says. Hispanic students are a bigger percentage of those passing the exams than ever before.

Does everyone need a college degree? Maybe not, says Harvard study.

America's educational system is 'badly broken,' failing students who may not want – or need – a college degree, argues a new report from Harvard's Graduate School of Education.

Tuition breaks for illegal immigrants? Montgomery College faces lawsuit.

Montgomery College recently formalized a policy of granting its lowest tuition rates to a group that includes some undocumented students. A lawsuit claims the policy violates federal and state laws.

College tuition: Six in 10 freshmen say economy affected choice of school

But concerns about college tuition are offset at least in part by financial aid, as well as big increases in the Federal Pell Grant Program.

State of the Union mystery: What do Obama's Race to the Top plans mean?

Obama called education key to 'winning the future' and wants to replace No Child Left Behind with a plan based on his Race to the Top initiative. But that left some experts scratching their heads.

'Report card' on science: Most US students aren't 'proficient'

Just 34 percent of fourth-graders, 30 percent of eighth-graders, and 21 percent of 12th-graders performed at or above 'proficient' in a national science assessment, according to a NAEP report card.

Big Brother at Wyoming schools? Legislature considers filming teachers.

Wyoming lawmakers propose installing video cameras to help evaluate teachers' performance. But educators are concerned about privacy issues, among other things.

Can Obama, Congress meet minds to revamp No Child Left Behind?

A new version of No Child Left Behind may target only the bottom 5 percent of schools for intervention. For most schools, mandates based on student test scores would be rolled back.

Gardena High shooting raises question: How to keep guns out of school?

The Los Angeles school district will review its security policies after the apparently accidental shooting of two students at Gardena High School. But experts are split on whether big-money projects like metal detectors and surveillance cameras are the way to go.

School shootings: In Nebraska, a proposal to arm teachers

A Nebraska state senator proposes allowing school districts to authorize teachers to carry concealed guns to deter school shootings. In 43 states bringing guns to K-12 schools is prohibited.

NJ Gov. Chris Christie wants to end teacher tenure – and he's not alone

Just this week, state officials in New Jersey, Florida, and Idaho have called for the elimination of teacher tenure, and more states plan to join the debate.

Court paves the way for N.Y.C. to release data linking teachers, test scores

The ruling would allow the New York City school district to release teacher data, which factor in students' test scores. If the release goes forward, it will be the largest such case in the US.

Education reform: eight school chiefs to watch in 2011

Education reform will be on many state education agendas across the nation in 2011. The past year saw Republicans elected or appointed to top state education posts in many states. But a bipartisan group of veteran education leaders has also stepped up to call for more dramatic change in how schools operate.

Here’s a sampling of state education leaders to watch:

Ethnic studies classes illegal in Arizona public schools as of Jan. 1

Much of the controversial Arizona immigration law remains tied up in court, but a law banning ethnic studies in Arizona is set to take effect Saturday. A Tucson school district vows to fight it.

Financial aid for college: tips for the new FAFSA form

For students in need of financial aid, the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available online Saturday.

School bans Facebook for a week: five lessons students learned

Considering a New Year’s Resolution to cut back on Facebook time in favor of real face time with friends and family? A one-week blackout of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, and instant messaging at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania prompted students and faculty to reflect on – and in some cases, change – their usage habits.

How to pick a college? 10 tips for seniors from their peers

It’s college application season; have you narrowed your choices wisely? And if you’re ultimately accepted to several schools, how will you know “the one”? Here are pointers from students who’ve recently survived the process.

Report: 15 cases where sex offenders got jobs at US schools

Not only are sex offenders finding work as teachers, they are getting recommendations from school officials eager for them to move elsewhere. A GAO report examines 15 case studies.

Report: Only 1 percent of 'bad' schools turn around

An examination of poorly performing schools underlines how hard it is to turn them around.

Persistent achievement gap vexes education reformers: Six takeaways

No education issue has received more attention in recent years – but with less apparent progress – than the achievement gaps for minority and low-income students. The Center on Education Policy released a study Tuesday that looks at trends in all 50 states. Read our list of a few of the study’s major findings.