"Building a Better Admissions Test" (Inside Higher Ed, 11/11/08)

Most standardized admissions tests — from the SAT and ACT to those used for admission to graduate and professional schools, such as the Law School Admission Test — promise one thing: to predict academic success in the first year enrolled. Most standardized tests also face growing skepticism because white and Asian students tend to outperform, on average, black and Latino students.

What if a standardized test managed to predict much more than first-year success? And what if there existed the possibility of having standardized tests that didn’t have ethnic or racial gaps, but better predicted long-term success?

"A School District Asks: Where Are the Parents?" (NYTimes, 11/11/08)

The new diversity of a New York school district has revealed a cultural chasm over the meaning of parental involvement.

"Mrs. P Has a Story for You, Kids" (LATimes, 11/10/08)

Mrs. P is the title character of a new children's storytelling website debuting at the beginning of National Young Readers Week. Los Angeles Times, November 10, 2008

"Learning How the Brain Learns May Be Boon in the Classroom" (Miami Hearld, 11/4/08)

The Education and Brain Research Program at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore is conducting a study to understand the neurological differences among students who are skilled readers, those who have difficulties, and those with diagnosed learning disabilities. Miami Herald, November 4, 2008

"Fair-Use Help for Internet On Its Way" (EdWeek, 11/11/08)

The National Council of Teachers of English was part of a group of media literacy organizations to produce "The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education," which was released today.  Education Week, November 11, 2008

"New course is needed for No Child law, educators say" (San Diego Union-Tribune, 11/10/08)

Change is coming to the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

With Barack Obama heading to the White House and dozens of additional Democrats elected to Congress, President Bush's signature education bill almost certainly will face profound revisions, experts across the country say.

"Obama's Possible Candidates for Education Secretary" (Chronicle of Higher Ed, 11/5/08))

If history is any guide, Barack Obama will spend several weeks chugging through higher priorities on his presidential to-do list before choosing an education secretary.

And if he follows past trends, Mr. Obama is not likely to choose a secretary on the basis of higher-education policy. His nominee will be the ninth U.S. secretary of education, and nearly all of the previous eight were known more for their backgrounds at the elementary and secondary levels.

"Reports: Students graduate unprepared" (Huntsville Item, 11/10/08)

Less than one-third of all Texas high school students graduate prepared for college, and those numbers get even lower for minority students, according to two studies by a team of Sam Houston State University educational leadership and counseling department professors.

"Assessing a Hot Assessment Tool" (Inside Higher Ed, 11/10/08)

The Collegiate Learning Assessment may be passing the largest test to date of whether it can measure growth in student learning. But the study of the CLA also found that many minority students and those who are not well prepared for college show smaller gains on the CLA — potentially reinforcing the concerns some have about how the test may be used.

"Encouraging Colleges to Look Within" (Inside Higher Ed, 11/10/08)

The National Survey of Student Engagement — an annual report providing comparative data on student experiences at four-year institutions nationwide — is entering its 10th year. Now that the survey is reaching what some consider a critical mass of participants, this year’s report finds that variations in educational quality are more prevalent within institutions than among them. As a result, NSSE officials argue that holistic assessments, such as theirs, provide a more accurate comparison than do those using institution-wide averages.

"Reading council helps teachers motivate students" (Post-Tribune, 11/6/08)

Judy Rauscher, language arts instructor at Clark Middle School in Hammond, is always searching for new ways to keep her students motivated and excited about the written word.

"College Ends Ban on Nietzsche Quote" (Inside Higher Ed, 11/7/08)

Whether or not “God is dead,” as Nietzsche famously argued in The Gay Science, the philosopher’s famous quote can once again be displayed on the doors of faculty offices at Temple College, in Texas.

"Diplomas for (Would-Be) Dropouts: Project Learning Serves the Most At-Risk Students" (Edutopia, 11/3/08)

Urban students on the verge of quitting scale new heights -- and remain in school -- through an ambitious program.

"Stumbling Blocks: Playing It Too Safe Will Make You Sorry" (Edutopia, 11/5/08)

How teachers are working around overprotective content filters to use Web 2.0 tools in the classroom.

"A Tale Of Two Literature Courses" (Washington Post, 11/9/08)

At Clarksburg High School in Montgomery County, teacher Jeanine Hurley's English class finished "The Canterbury Tales" and just started "Hamlet." Senior Raphael Nguyen says he doesn't spend a lot of time on homework because Hurley doesn't give much.

Defense Contractors, Districts Partner to Improve STEM Education

Defense contractors Northrop Grumman Corp. and Lockheed Martin Corp. are joining forces here in an innovative partnership to develop high-tech simulations to boost STEM—or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—education in the Baltimore County schools. (Education Week, 11/7/08)

Obama Gets to Work on Transition

President-elect Barack Obama and his team started work this week on a transition that includes searching for the people who will bring to life his agenda of expanding preschool, improving the quality of teachers, and fixing the major federal law in K-12 education. (Education Week, 11/7/08)

Black Teachers in Short Supply

Most opt for urban schools, giving minority students in Metro suburbs fewer role models. (The Detroit News, November 3, 2008)

A Tale of Two Economies

The economic crisis is rattling people's nerves, but imagine living during the time of Charles Dickens, when the Bank of England was on the verge of collapse and financial ruin was sudden. Robert Douglas-Fairhurst, a professor at Oxford University's Magdalen College, talks with Renee Montagne about his article comparing today's financial crisis with the economic downturn when Dickens was a boy. (Morning Edition, NPR, November 4, 2008)

Economy behind Surge in Substitute Teachers, Some Say

Sacramento area school districts are reporting an increase in the number of people applying to substitute teach. "It's either directly or indirectly because of the economy," said Pat Godwin, superintendent of Folsom Cordova Unified School District. His district has seen substitute applications increase by a third this year. (Sacramento Bee, 11/4/08)

For Striving 6th Graders, History Is Now

On Wednesday, Mr. Meade tossed aside the regular curriculum and schedule to bring the boys together to live history as it unfolded in real time. The students were a jumble of questions about the Electoral College and the difference between red states and blue states. But mostly, they were in awe — at once giddy and proud. The New York Times, November 5, 2008

Reading on the Bus Solves Three Education Challenges at Once

Some Wisconsin bus drivers found an effective and productive way to keep kids under control by pairing older elementary kids with younger ones. The older kids read to the younger ones -- with fantastic results. WRCB TV3, October 26, 2008

So Why Are Fewer Parents Reading to Their Children?

Reading aloud to children is seen by many as a parent’s duty. But sadly, in today’s time-pressed world it’s one that’s increasingly taking a back seat. Echo News, October 28, 2008

Exclusive: Toni Morrison Reads from Her New Novel

In this special edition of Book Tour, NPR presents Pulitzer Prize-winner and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison reading from her new novel, A Mercy. NPR, October 27, 2008

The Story Plays Out

Scholastic is betting that The 39 Clues, a 10-book adventure series for ages 8 to 12, will be the new, hot book that kids want to read, following in the footsteps of Scholastic's Harry Potter series. The Boston Globe, October 28, 2008

One-to-One Makes All the Difference When Teaching Children to Read

A scheme from New Zealand is helping English children learn to read – with great success. But would this expensive programme survive a change of Government? The Independent, October 30, 2008

Goosebumps and Guffaws in Stine's 'HorrorLand'

Anyone who thinks that Goosebumps, R.L. Stine's fantastically popular kids book series from the 1990s, is a thing of the past would have been disabused of that notion at this year's National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. Morning Edition, NPR, October 31, 2008.

School Board to Determine Fate of Grendel

Some parents have challenged John Gardner's Grendel for being too graphic. The district uses the NCTE policy for handling challenges.  Sherwood Gazette, October 30, 2008

As State Scores Drop, Schools Work to Engage Students in Reading

Many Chicagoland schools are struggling to discover how to best teach reading to adolescents. NCTE members Jamie Hecht and Teri Lesesne are quoted. The Chicago Daily Herald, October 31, 2008

School Leaders: Focus on New-Age Skills

A new survey says that 21st century assessments should be at the top of policymakers' lists.  eSchool News, November 4, 2008

School’s Success Gives Way to Doubt

The state has recently started a criminal investigation into test scores at Sanders-Clyde Elementary, seeking to determine whether a high number of erasure marks on the tests indicates fraud.

Councils ban use of Latin terms

A number of local councils in Britain have banned their staff from using Latin words, because they say they might confuse people.

Several local authorities have ruled that phrases like "vice versa", "pro rata", and even "via" should not be used, in speech or in writing.

But the ban has prompted anger among some Latin scholars.

College costs rise

Overall costs of attending private school increased 4.8%, while in-state public school costs rose 5.7% from previous school year, College Board says.

Study Links Violent Video Games, Hostility

Children and teenagers who play violent video games show increased physical aggression months afterward, according to new research that adds another layer of evidence to the continuing debate over the video-game habits of the youngest generation.

Study Links Violent Video Games, Hostility

Children and teenagers who play violent video games show increased physical aggression months afterward, according to new research that adds another layer of evidence to the continuing debate over the video-game habits of the youngest generation.

Online Grading Systems Mean No More Changing D's to B's

Parents and students in a growing number of Washington area schools can track fluctuations in a grade-point average from the nearest computer in real time, a ritual that can become as addictive as watching political polls or a stock-market index.