Connecticut lawmakers approved several changes to the state's public schools proposed by Democratic Gov. Dannel Malloy, although some of his most controversial proposals, such as eliminating current teachers union contracts, were not among them. Read Full Post >
Senators in Michigan passed a bill that would move up the cut-off date by which time children must turn 5 in order to attend kindergarten during that school year from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1 by 2015-16, in a move they say helps other students in kindergarten and would save $50 million annually. Read Full Post >
The governor's education overhaul plan could give Connecticut's schools commissioner power to appoint private operators to struggling public schools. Read Full Post >
A new study of California public schools from 2007 to 2011 paints a fairly grim picture that includes "small progress" but major challenges remaining. Among the findings is that the state's per-pupil spending in K-12 dropped by $522, a 6 percent slump. Read Full Post >
CORRECTED In case you haven't seen it already, it's worth noting on State EdWatch that Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott has announced that he will step down from his post on July 2. Reading the Associated Press story, Scott comes across as an education official conscious that he was caugh... Read Full Post >
A new paper from the Center for American Progress recommends that all teachers need to be adequately prepared to teach English-learners. Read Full Post >
After filing a complaint with the IRS this week over the tax-exempt status of ALEC, Common Cause made public several documents related to ALEC's legislative work, including in the education field. ALEC dismissed this complaint as motivated by partisan ill-will. Read Full Post >
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) said he would continue to fight for his education proposals, even as poll numbers indicate they don't enjoy strong support, and state lawmakers have moved to water down his new teacher evaluation system. Read Full Post >
A sponsor of a tax-credit scholarship program in New Hampshire agreed to amend his legislation to ensure that losses in state aid to public schools resulting from students utilizing scholarships and transferring out of those schools would be limited. Read Full Post >
The federal government is expected to cut the money from South Carolina's share of federal special education dollars on Oct. 1, a penalty for past cuts the state made to its own budget for working with students with disabilities. Read Full Post >
