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Back to school 2010: Why we're all education experts today

Standards-based school reform didn't come out of nowhere. It's rooted in the relentless system of grading that we all went through in school.
Education secretary Arne Duncan: headmaster of US school reform

As students head back to school, educators nationwide are implementing controversial school reform wrought by Arne Duncan. Pushing competitive market approaches and armed with unprecedented funding and support from the president, he is possibly the most powerful education secretary ever.
Glenn Beck Lincoln Memorial rally draws criticism

Glenn Beck will hold a rally at the Lincoln Memorial, exactly 47 years to the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his 'I have a dream,' speech on that spot.
Poll: Americans' grade for Obama education policy is slipping

Just 34 percent of Americans give the president an A or B, compared with 45 percent a year ago, a new survey on education says. But the poll also shows more nuanced views of education policy.
Race to the Top losers: Why did Louisiana and Colorado fail?

Louisiana and Colorado, two states lauded for education reform, didn't make the cut in Round 2 of the Department of Education's Race to the Top grants. Some experts were puzzled.
Test-score 'bomb': How far is too far in teacher accountability push?

The Los Angeles Times is planning to publish a database that shows how much students' test scores have improved under specific area teachers. Some say it's a useful teacher accountability tool. Critics say it's not a fair portrait.
School bullying summit's big hope: an anti-bullying tipping point

The Department of Education convened its first summit on school bullying Wednesday. It comes as state lawmakers nationwide step up their efforts to pass anti-bullying laws.
Obama aims to lift college graduation rates, but his tools are few

President Obama on Monday stated a US goal of retaking the world lead in college graduation rates by 2020. The US ranks behind 11 countries in the share of young workers with associate's degrees.
As Race to the Top competition intensifies, so do education reforms

In announcing the Race to the Top finalists Tuesday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan called the program part of ‘a quiet revolution’ under way in education reform.
Squabble over $10 billion for teachers delays Afghanistan war money

A Democratic House leader wants Congress to spend $10 billion to save teacher jobs. The White House has threatened a veto. Meanwhile, funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are in limbo.
Summer reading gets plug from US officials to keep kids sharp

The ‘Let’s Read. Let’s Move’ campaign is designed to combat the learning loss that can occur during the summer. Two cabinet secretaries touted summer reading at an event in Washington Wednesday.
Michelle Obama's next childhood obesity target: summer break

As part of her campaign against childhood obesity, Michelle Obama helped launch the ‘Let’s Read. Let’s Move.’ program involving exercise, healthy eating, and reading during the summer break.
In Texas, social studies textbooks get a conservative make-over

The Texas State Board of Education has approved controversial changes to social studies textbooks, pushing high school teaching in a more conservative direction.
Rhode Island school to rehire fired teachers, shelving drastic plan

Central Falls High School had fired its staff as part of a strategy for failing schools. Now, the Rhode Island school has reached a tentative agreement to keep the staff but make other changes.
Grading the Presidential summit on entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries gathered at the summit on entrepreneurship in Washington to learn how individual action can expand opportunity, especially in the Muslim world.
College sports: White House tweaks Title IX rules

Schools can no longer rely on a survey for female students about college sports to show that they are compliant with Title IX requirements, Biden announced Tuesday.
Crist veto a victory for teachers against merit-based pay

But many education reformers see the Crist veto in Florida as just a temporary setback in their quest to improve teaching and teacher compensation.
Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of April 5, 2010

Readers write in about deficits and taxation, using private money for nuclear power, and the No Child Left Behind law.
The Monitor's View: National education standards not a federal takeover of public schools

A big concern about proposed national education standards for grades K-12 is that they amount to a federal takeover of public schools. Not true. This plan originated from the states, is voluntary, and is backed by 48 governors.
Race to the Top winners: How did Delaware and Tennessee succeed?

In announcing the Race to the Top winners, Education Secretary Arne Duncan noted that both states had strong buy-in from almost all districts and teachers unions.
Will the student aid bill help with your college costs?

Congress is expected to vote this weekend not just on healthcare, but also on a student aid bill. Here’s a rundown of five key components in the legislation.
The Monitor's View: Sandra Bullock and the blind side of NCAA March Madness

A movie like "The Blind Side," with Sandra Bullock and depicting a real scholar-athlete, has a lesson for the NCAA in this March Madness: Get the graduation rates up for players, especially blacks. Otherwise, Uncle Sam may be on your case.
No Child Left Behind: Obama overhaul takes flak from both parties

Education Secretary Arne Duncan took the Obama administration's plans for No Child Left Behind to Capitol Hill Wednesday. Lawmakers were pleased but also had tough questions.
Education reform: Can poor test scores get a teacher fired?

In Houston, a controversial education reform measure allows teachers to be fired based on their students' test scores. Some parents back the policy, but teachers unions have reservations.
Obama's No Child Left Behind revise: a little more flexibility

The Obama administration is proposing fundamental changes to the Bush-era No Child Left Behind education reform policy, such as dropping the strict yearly progress goals.