Topic: K-12 Funding and Administration

Black History Month: Five major events and figures

Black History Month is the annual celebration of the struggles, achievements and overall contribution African-Americans have made to the US.

Why New Hampshire lets parents have broad say over children's coursework

A new law in New Hampshire lets parents object to school coursework and request that their children learn alternative material. It may readjust the balance between parents' rights and educators' judgment. 

Rising child poverty rates could be a 'taste' of what's ahead

A new Census report shows child poverty up since 2007. With many benefits for the poor – such as the Earned Income Tax Credit – expiring at the end of the year, things could get worse.

Bipartisan support for fixing our schools

The Historic Schools Rehabilitation Tax Credit offers developers, states, and school districts a federal tax credit to enter into public/private partnerships to help pay for modernization of schools that are on the National Register of Historic places. But is the plan too limited in scope?

Columbus Day: What's open, what's closed, what's happening?

True, it's not the most exciting holiday on the calendar. It's not even observed in every state, which means Columbus Day comes with a lot of confusion about practical matters, such as what's open and what's not. Here's your practical guide to Columbus Day.

Florida public library holds mock debate on banning books

In honor of Banned Books Week, a county that made headlines for banning books held a mock school board meeting to demonstrate both sides of the debate.

"Slaughterhouse Five" ban is reversed – sort of – at a Missouri school

"Slaughterhouse Five" and another banned book are now back in the Republic High School library – but must stay in a restricted area.

Finally, a jobs plan that will work

Representative Jan Schakowsky's job plan is simple, direct, and effective

Urban schools search amiss for the next 'savior' superintendent

Urban school districts look to 'savior' superintendents, only to fire them when they fail to fix everything. Leadership is important, but no single individual can redeem America's failing big-city schools. By pretending otherwise, we set our leaders – and our students – up for failure.

New Missouri 'Facebook bill': Let school districts make their own rules

The Missouri legislature wants to limit 'improper communications' between students and teachers, but its first 'Facebook law' was blocked by the courts. Now, it's trying a toned-down version.

John Danner shoots for the stars with Rocketship charter schools

Rocketship schools employ computers and coaches to help teach low-income kids, and see student performance rise dramatically.

Can 'take-no-prisoners' superintendent save scandal-plagued Atlanta schools?

Atlanta's new interim superintendent has given new powers to whistleblowers and is eyeing bonus policies that rewarded high test scores.

When the public quits paying for public schools

Facing budget shortfalls, public schools are starting to ask families to cover some expenses, including academic classes in some cases

The perks of rural living

Life in the country is cheaper and has fewer distractions

New Chicago schools chief has record of reform, but irked teachers

Chicago Mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel taps Jean-Claude Brizard, superintendent in Rochester, N.Y., to head city schools. Brizard is a long-time educator, unlike new leaders of other big-city districts.

Teacher suspended for Facebook post: called kids future criminals, parents say

The New Jersey teacher is the second this year to be involved in a controversy over a post on Facebook. Experts say cases like this are multiplying.

Natalie Munroe calls out 'whiny' kids: Do teacher blogs help or hurt schools?

Natalie Munroe, a schoolteacher in Pennsylvania, won plaudits from teachers and offended parents when she denounced some students as 'lazy whiners.' She was suspended.

Here's an idea: Teachers and school officials unite on education reform

Some 150 schools districts sent officials, school board members, and teachers union reps to Denver this week to hear how collaboration can improve student achievement and boost education reform. Can history of acrimony be overcome?

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.

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:

Eggs. Shrek glasses. Sure, but what was the top recall of 2010?

It was a year when contaminated eggs and McDonald's glasses found their way into the headlines. But the product fiascos of 2010 included everything from recalled cars and home appliances to food and medications. What was the year’s top recall? Read on:

US public schools are going broke, yet some spend like a kid in a candy store

The $578 million price tag for the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools complex in Los Angeles is hard to justify at a time when many schools are turning to desperate measures to save teachers' jobs. Voters must respond by pushing profligate public schools to be as frugal as charter schools.

Ideas for a better world in 2011

To start the new year off right, the Monitor asked various thinkers around the world for one idea each to make the world a better place in 2011. We talked to poets and political figures, physicists and financiers. The results range from how to reduce the number of nuclear weapons in the world to ways to revamp Hollywood.