Topic: Amy Wilkins

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No Child Left Behind: with waivers, Obama offers states flexibility

No Child Left Behind is under fire, with President Obama offering waivers to some states, allowing them to pursue their own plans for school improvements and accountability.
US moves to head off states' revolt over No Child Left Behind

With some states in open revolt against education reforms in the No Child Left Behind law, the Obama administration prepares to issue waivers from certain requirements. But states must agree to a different set of reforms to qualify.
Educate or incarcerate? NAACP pushes states to shift priorities.

While education spending declined during the recession, most states increased prison spending, according to a new report from the NAACP.
'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.
Math and reading test scores: Massachusetts excels, West Virginia lags

Eleven states volunteered to have their 12th-graders’ test scores itemized in the latest NAEP report. Nationally, 26 percent of high school seniors scored at or above the 'proficient' level in math.
US 'report card' on reading: 8th-graders gain, 4th-graders don't

Reading among 4th-graders did not improve for the first time since 2003, the latest NAEP scores show. The report, known as the 'nation's report card,' shows a slight gain among 8th-graders.
Obama administration: more civil rights enforcement in schools

The Obama administration intends to step up enforcement of civil rights laws that apply to schools. Education Secretary Arne Duncan made the announcement in a speech in Selma, Ala., timed to commemorate the 45th anniversary of civil rights marches there.
Education reform: Obama budget reboots No Child Left Behind

President Obama's federal budget seeks to recast fundamental parts of George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind education reform. But Congress could put up stiff resistance.
No improvement for fourth-graders on national math test

The 2009 math scores reported by NAEP, a national assessment, represented the first time since 1990 that no gains were made.
High-schoolers have made little progress since the 1970s, study says

Younger students have made some encouraging gains in math, but the lack of improvement among older students raises questions about recent education reforms.
Education gaps create 'permanent recession,' report says

A new report calculates how much money the US has lost by not meeting its education goals.
In stimulus bill, US funds for schools double

About a quarter of the new money is aimed at low-income pupils, to help with the achievement gap.
Kids' protest highlights rich-poor schools gap in Illinois

Critics say Chicago students shouldn't miss class to point out education-funding disparities.
U.S. student writing gets a bit better

Assessment test shows gains for eighth- and 12th graders overall. But race and gender gaps persist.
Chicago's mixed record on school reform

Bush cites city's gains on sixth anniversary of No Child Left Behind. Critics see uneven results.