AM News: Dropout Factory Raises Graduation Rate (Really?)

'Dropout Nation' Turnaround: How Shelbyville Fixed its Dropout Problem PBS: Six years later, Shelbyville's graduation rate jumped to 90 percent, but how did they turn things around?

Education Slowdown Threatens U.S. WSJ:  Despite years of effort, high-school dropout rates remain stubbornly high. College tuition is rising and the prospect of shouldering heavy debt discourages some high-school graduates from enrolling in college or sticking with it.

Student veterans group revokes charters from 26 schools USAT: A national advocacy group for student veterans has revoked chapter membership from 26 for-profit campuses.

Two Parties Find a Way to Agree, and Disagree, on Student Loan Rates NYT: Republicans and Democrats are arguing over how to pay $6 billion for a subsidized benefit. ALSO:  Flurry of Bills Introduced to Stop Student Loan Rate Hike Politics K12

Teachers' Unions Enter Super PAC World Teacher Beat: The organized labor movement may not like the movement toward super PACs that have multiplied in the wake of recent campaign-finance decisions, but their motto for now seems to be, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

MORE NEWS ITEMS INSIDE

CPS says $130 million more in principal discretion funds, but few details on cuts to come Chicago Tribune: Chicago Public Schools chief administrative officer Tim Cawley said Wednesday that the district plans to redirect $130 million in funds to principals to use at their discretion as they add a longer school day next year.

Ind. ACLU sues middle school over students' Facebook posts USAT: The ACLU of Indiana has sued a school that suspended three girls for Facebook posts violating bullying, harassment and intimidation rules.

ACTs To Be Required For All Of State's High School Juniors HuffPost: Beginning next year, all high school juniors in Louisiana will be required to take the ACT -- for free.

Petition Drive Challenges Standardized Testing NYT: Critics of high stakes standardized tests have started an Internet campaign to petition for an overhaul of mandated testing.

Parents Hold Bake Sales To Pay Teachers NPR:  After years of cuts to public school budgets across the country, many districts are relying on parents to pay for classroom supplies, extracurricular activities and even teacher salaries. But some worry that uneven distribution of funds will widen disparities between schools and between districts.

 

Comments

[Sarah]

Obama has made a big issue out of college affordability recently, and, while it’s entirely possible it’s for election purposes, I hope it’s more that congress is finally taking the issue of college expense seriously. If Congress passes an interest increase, the state of this nation is going to get worse, without question.

[Sarah]

As for the news on anti-bullying... And unfortunately, there are examples, I think, of anti-bullying legislation being taken too far. I’m not sure schools should have jurisdiction over anyone’s Facebook account, yet it happens.