Topic: Center on Education Policy

No Child Left Behind loosens grasp as 10 states freed from requirements

No Child Left Behind has been a contentious law ever since it was passed in 2002. Now ten states have been released of some of the toughest legal requirements of the law.

No Child Left Behind loses bite as Obama issues waivers

Many educators applaud the waivers from some parts of No Child Left Behind, saying the education-reform law has a one-size-fits-all approach. Others worry that minorities could suffer. 

Eight ingredients for a peaceful society

What makes for a peaceful society? Hot spots from Congo to the Middle East would benefit from such knowledge. But so would the United States, which, at home, isn’t always so harmonious and abroad, is still at war in Afghanistan.

Michael Shank, vice president of the Institute for Economics and Peace’s US office gives his take on eight ingredients America needs to build a peaceful society.

Education report card: Flat reading scores are 'deeply disappointing'

Math scores inched up – barely – in the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), otherwise known as the 'nation’s report card.'

Senate vote: first step toward dismantling No Child Left Behind

A Senate panel votes to drop a signature provision of No Child Left Behind, the Bush-era education reform. The new law would eliminate the mandate for 'adequate yearly progress.'

Little girls or little women? The Disney princess effect

In today's highly sexualized environment – where 5-year-olds wear padded bras – some see the toddlers-and-tiaras Disney princess craze leading to the pre-teen pursuit of "hot" looks. Do little girls become little women too soon?

Relief ahead for states from No Child Left Behind law, but with strings

States can be excused from some certain requirements of No Child Left Behind, the US education reform law, the Obama administration said Monday. But it wants them to adopt different reforms.

Education secretary tells Congress: Change No Child Left Behind – or I will

Education Secretary Arne Duncan says time is running out to reauthorize No Child Left Behind. If Congress doesn't move soon, he said he'll take matters into his own hands.

No Child Left Behind: Why Congress will struggle to hit Obama's deadline

President Obama wants No Child Left Behind revised by the fall. The Senate is working toward a bipartisan compromise, but House Republicans want to shrink the federal role in education.

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.

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.

Obama refuses to budge on Race to the Top education reforms

Many critics of President Obama's Race to the Top education reforms come from core constituencies of his own party. Mr. Obama took a stand for Race to the Top in a speech Thursday.

How Race to the Top is recasting education reform in America

States are submitting their applications for Round 2 of the Obama administration's $4.3 billion Race to the Top program. States are undertaking major education reform to qualify.

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.

Race to the Top: Do California, Florida have a chance?

The Education Department has released the scores and reviewer comments from Round 1 of the Race to the Top competition. One aim is to help states improve their applications in the next round.

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.

Uniform academic standards for US students: draft released

Academics and education officials have drafted a broad outline of academic standards in English and math. The standards could eventually replace the current patchwork of state standards.

All teachers fired at R.I. school. Will that happen elsewhere?

All the teachers at Central Falls High School in Rhode Island were fired by the board of trustees this week. More such cases are likely to arise across the US in the coming year because of pressure from the Obama administration – and the incentive of billions of federal dollars.

Obama proposes new way of uniformly raising academic standards

Under Obama’s plan, states would be eligible for federal Title I funding only if they adopt new academic standards that are certified as 'college- and career-ready.'

Education reform: California to join Race to the Top rush

States are scrambling to pass education reforms to be eligible for the Obama administration's $4.35 billion in Race to the Top grants. California was set to confirm far-reaching reforms Tuesday.

Eyeing stimulus money for education, states adopt reforms

A total of $100 billion in stimulus money has started going to education. A new study by the Center on Education Policy looks at the education reforms that some states are now embracing.

Schools sprinting to win Obama's Race to the Top billions

In speech Wednesday, Obama touts his $4.35 billion bid to reshape education in America. Schools nationwide are eager to compete for Race to the Top funds.

Obama fatherhood initiative: a rare issue of bipartisan accord?

Fatherhood and parental duty get a push from the Obama team during a series of fall forums. But concerns about government intervention make some conservatives wary.

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.

Obama's $4 billion is massive incentive for school reform

The president says schools that prioritize his agenda will get the cash. State and education officials are wary, but they need the money desperately.