Big Stories Of The Day

States’ Data Obscure How Few Finish High School NYT
Federal figures gathered under the No Child Left Behind law hide a severe dropout epidemic, researchers say.

Getting a taste of teaching Baltimore Sun
North County High is one of six Anne Arundel County high schools that offer a teaching academy, school officials' self-sufficient approach to addressing a chronic shortage of teachers: They're trying to grow their own.

'Moment of silence' challenged in Ill. MSNBC
A federal judge favors expanding a legal challenge to a mandatory moment of silence in classrooms into a class-action lawsuit that would include all Illinois school districts.

Nebraska Bill Would Affirm State Tests as NCLB Yardstick EdWeek
Less than a year after mandating statewide reading and math tests as an alternative to Nebraska’s unique grassroots assessments, state lawmakers are poised to neuter the district-level tests altogether.

Idaho Turns to Chess as Education Strategy NYT
Idaho officials plan to make their state the first to offer a statewide chess curriculum as part of a pilot program for second and third graders.

Student urinates in lunch box in class MSNBC
A Florida teacher was put on paid leave Tuesday while officials investigate why a student urinated in a lunch box during her class.