Sep 16 Column: Ahmed’s clock proves it’s time to disarm our irrational fear By Wendy Thomas Russell The story of a Texas 9th-grader arrested because he had the gall to make a clock and bring it to school to show his teacher has left Americans understandably reeling. But Ahmed Mohamed’s situation is about more than Islamophobia. It’s… Continue reading
Sep 13 College students can apply earlier for financial aid, government says By Josh Lederman, Associated Press Aspiring college students will be able to apply for federal financial aid three months earlier than now and submit a previous year's tax return, changes aimed at helping more people pay for school, the White House said Sunday. Continue reading
Sep 06 As school begins, many kids still waiting on Common Core results By Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press With new backpacks, pens and pencils and clothes, millions of children are back in school or heading there after summer vacation. Many are excited, some are anxious - and still waiting for the results of the new tests they took… Continue reading
Sep 06 Watch 9:38 What’s the grade for extra reading time in low-performing Florida schools? By PBS News Hour Florida requires 300 low-performing elementary schools to add an hour of focused reading to their school day. Four years into the initiative, how effective has it been? Alison Stewart checks in for this update to a report that aired last… Continue watching
Aug 29 Initial Common Core scores higher than expected but goals unfulfilled By Associated Press Results for some of the states that participated in Common Core-aligned testing for the first time this spring are out, with overall scores higher than expected though still below what many parents may be accustomed to seeing. Continue reading
Aug 15 Watch 3:45 Florida schools get failing grade due to re-segregation, investigation finds By PBS News Hour This week, an investigation of five Florida elementary schools in low-income, predominantly black neighborhoods of St. Petersburg labeled the schools 'failure factories,' partially blaming racial re-segregation over the past eight years. Tampa Bay Times reporter Michael LaForgia joins Hari Sreenivasan… Continue watching
Aug 15 Watch 4:11 Washington lawmakers to address education funding after court fines state By PBS News Hour The national debate over education quality is playing out in Washington state this week, where state leaders are set to begin addressing inequalities in public school funding next week. The meetings come on the heels of a state Supreme Court… Continue watching
Jul 31 Obama to extend college aid grants to some prison inmates By Jennifer C. Kerr, Associated Press Some federal and state prisoners could begin receiving student aid to take college courses — while still behind bars — as early as the 2016-2017 school year. Continue reading
Jun 18 How a 9th-grader’s letter to Gwen Ifill inspired an entire school By Corinne Segal This April, Gwen Ifill received a letter that began: “Dear Ms. Ifill, I hope you remember me, but if you do not, my name is Sophie Sabin.” That letter became a catalyst to an inspirational moment for hundreds of middle school… Continue reading