Education

AP: First 10 States Granted Waivers From 'No Child Left Behind'

(Charles Dharapak / AP)

The administration announced last year that states can apply to be exempt from some No Child requirements. The first 10, AP says, are Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

All Things Considered

Detroit Schools' No. 1 Mission: Getting Kids To Class

(Larry Abramson / NPR)

Dismal attendance rates have put Detroit Public Schools at risk of losing vital state funding, so the city has launched an assault on truancy. Attendance agent George Eason says, "If we see that the parent is willfully ... not sending the child to school, then we will take every means necessary to enforce the law."

Morning Edition

Milestone At University Of Michigan: Muslim Chaplain

By Beenish Ahmed

(Courtesy of Mohammed Tayssir Safi)

Even though the number of Muslim students pursuing higher education is growing, very few colleges have Muslim chaplains. This semester, the University of Michigan became the first public school with a Muslim chaplaincy, but the position is privately funded to maintain a separation of church and state.

Meaningless In Missouri? Not In Santorum's View

By Alan Greenblatt

(Alan Greenblatt / NPR)

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is looking for momentum as Republicans caucus and vote in three states on Tuesday: Missouri, Minnesota and Colorado. And dissatisfaction with front-runner Mitt Romney in Missouri could point to a potential opportunity for President Obama in the fall.

All Things Considered

Detroit To Parents: Time To Get Involved In Education

(Larry Abramson / NPR)

The city's school system is trying to get parents more engaged with their children's education in an effort to boost achievement and stop an exodus of families from the district.

Tell Me More

Applying For Financial Aid Without The Fear Factor

Application deadlines for financial aid like grants, scholarships and student loans are just around the corner. But many students may need help getting their paperwork in order. Host Michel Martin speaks with Adrianna Badillo. She's the director of Gear-Up, a program designed to guide low-income students into higher education.

Morning Edition

UC Students Propose Alternative To Tuition Increases

(Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Tired of tuition increases within the cash-strapped University of California system, a group of students has suggested eliminating tuition entirely. Instead, they propose that graduates pay the system a percentage of their income over the subsequent 20 years.

All Things Considered

Pennsylvania School District Goes Broke

By Elizabeth Fiedler

The Chester Upland School District — a small, mostly minority district outside Philadelphia — is on the verge of going broke. State budget cuts have put the district in such financial straits that teachers and some other employees agreed last month to work without pay for the rest of the school year. A judge ordered the state to advance Chester Upland $3 million, but that will only keep the schools open for a few weeks.

Weekend Edition Sunday

Worshippers Kicked Out Of N.Y. School On Principle

By Fred Mogul

(Fred Mogul)

For years, small churches have been meeting in New York City's public schools. One church, Grace Fellowship, has been gathering at PS-150 in Queens since 2006. In one week, though, they will be evicted. "Freedom for a church to take over a school and convert it to a house of worship is not what our Constitution stands for," says a civil liberties proponent.

All Things Considered

Fallout Continues In L.A. School's Lewd Photo Scandal

A second teacher has been removed from Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles as part of an investigation into lewd photos. One teacher has already been charged with lewd conduct with 23 students.

All Things Considered

Prison Meal Deal: Where The Staff Serves Lunch ... And Time

(Erik Jacobs / For NPR)

At the Fife and Drum Restaurant, located in a Massachusetts minimum-security prison, inmates learn to cook and wait tables. Regulars praise the tasty lunches served up at bargain prices. Prison officials say such job training reduces the chances prisoners will re-offend.

Tell Me More

Las Vegas Principal Hopes To Beat The Odds

Nevada has the lowest high school graduation rate in the country. But now a multi-million dollar federal grant is helping one district turn its schools around. Host Michel Martin speaks with a principal who spent last Saturday knocking on the doors of students who dropped out, encouraging them to come back to school.

Tell Me More

Getting America's Dropouts Back On Track

Nearly a quarter of U.S. public high school students fail to graduate on time, or at all. The president wants a rule requiring students to stay in school until age 18. But even with the requirement, Washington, D.C. has one of the lowest graduation rates. Host Michel Martin speaks with WAMU's Kavitha Cardoza and former dropout, Rashida Harris.

All Things Considered

Claremont McKenna Admits Inflating SAT Scores

Officials at Claremont McKenna College announced Wednesday that the school submitted inflated SAT scores for several years to publications such U.S. News and World Report to boost its rankings. Claremont McKenna is ranked among the top 10 liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and has recently seen an upswing in popularity among applicants.

Weekend Edition Sunday

Dropout Has Thanks, Not Blame, For Teacher

By NPR Staff

(StoryCorps)

Roger Alvarez dropped out of high school despite the efforts of his English teacher, Antero Garcia. "You were determined to help me, but what was I willing to give? I could have actually tried," Alvarez says.

All Things Considered

Higher Dropout Age May Not Lead To More Diplomas

(Charles Dharapak / AP)

In his State of the Union address, President Obama called on every state to require students to stay in school until they graduate or turn 18. But unimpressive results in states that already have that requirement raise questions about how effective the initiative would really be.

All Things Considered

Obama Stresses Importance Of College Affordability

President Obama told students in Michigan that their universities should stop raising tuition so much faster than the rate of inflation.

All Things Considered

College Presidents Have Problems With Obama's Message On Tuition

(Bill Pugliano / Getty Images)

The president says he's putting colleges "on notice" about tuition hikes. College officials say the White House shouldn't be prescribing how schools cut costs.

Morning Edition

Kids Have A Say In Louisville's School Lunch Menu

By Devin Katayama

New guidelines announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday call for less fat and more fruits in school lunches. In Louisville, Kentucky, the Jefferson County School District lets students evaluate its healthy food offerings.

Boston Schools Get $4M Boost For Arts Instruction

By Delores Handy

BOSTON — The new grant, along with about $4 million already committed, puts the arts expansion initiative much closer to its $10 million goal, which will be used to go directly toward arts education in all Boston public schools.

Official: 10 States Receive Leeway From No Child Left Behind

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Obama on Thursday will free 10 states, including Massachusetts, from the strict and sweeping requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, The Associated Press has learned.

Coalition Backs Patrick’s Community College Reforms

By Bob Oakes

BOSTON — Heavy-hitters from business, civic and community groups in Massachusetts set up a coalition to reform the state’s community colleges to train workers needed to fill job openings.

U.S. Education Officials Praise New Mass. Teacher Evaluations

By WBUR News & Wire Services

BOSTON — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, during a Boston visit Monday, said the way teachers are evaluated now doesn’t work.

Boston Superintendent Unveils Schools Budget

By Sacha Pfeiffer

BOSTON — Boston Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson joined us to discuss her newly unveiled budget plan and the ongoing negotiations with teachers over extended school days.

Boston College Caught In Dispute Over Belfast Project

By Sacha Pfeiffer
Britain claims BC's recordings may contain information about the killings of several people, including a Belfast mother of 10. One former IRA member has claimed that Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams (seen here in 2005) ordered that murder. (AP)

BOSTON — A federal judge has ruled that Boston College must submit recordings from its oral history project on Northern Ireland’s conflict to British investigators, who say the tapes may contain information about killings. We talk to the parties involved.

Patrick Pushes Plan To Consolidate Mass. Community Colleges

By The WBUR Newsroom

BOSTON — Gov. Deval Patrick has been out drumming up support for his proposal to streamline the state’s community college system.

Mixed Reaction To Menino’s Schools Plan

By The WBUR Newsroom

BOSTON — Some Boston parents are reacting with caution to Mayor Thomas Menino’s plans to change the way students in Boston are assigned to schools.

Menino Will Outline Vocational School Reforms In Address

By Delores Handy

BOSTON — Thomas Menino, the longest-serving mayor in Boston history, will deliver his unprecedented 19th annual State Of The City address Tuesday night.

Mass. Leaders Celebrate Federal Education Funds

By Steve Brown

BOSTON — Educators and lawmakers gathered Tuesday to celebrate the recent award of $50 million in federal Race to the Top funds. The money will be used to support early education programs.

Lawrence Schools Receiver Vows ‘Whatever Action Is Necessary’

By Sacha Pfeiffer

BOSTON — The new Lawrence schools receiver, Jeffrey Riley, promises “whatever action is necessary” to help the city’s troubled school system.

Massachusetts Schools Ranked 2nd In Nation

By The Associated Press

BALTIMORE, Md. — Maryland public schools have been ranked first in the nation for the fourth year in a row by a leading education publication. Massachusetts is second.

Receiver Named For Lawrence Schools

By WBUR News & Wire Services

LAWRENCE, Mass. — “Lawrence needs bold change,” said the new receiver, Jeffrey Riley. “We must be willing to rethink the current design of the school day and the school year.”

Mass. Senate Backs Reforms For Special Ed Groups

By The Associated Press

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously approved a bill targeting financial abuse and mismanagement at education collaboratives in the state.

Mass. Praised For ‘Race To The Top’ Progress

By The Associated Press

BOSTON — Massachusetts has received high grades from federal education officials for its first year implementation of “Race to the Top” reforms.

Rick Santorum Says College Isn’t For Everyone

By Bianca Vazquez Toness
Sen. Rick Santorum campaigns at a GOP gala in Nashua, N.H. (WBUR/Dominick Reuter)

Former Sen. Rick Santorum spoke at a St. Anselm College event on the economy and the election when he accused President Obama of “snobbery” for suggesting all American kids should attend college.

No Child Left Behind Falls Short After 10 Years

By The Associated Press
President Bush leans over to speak with third grader Tameron Clark as he tours a tutoring center at Kirkpatrick Elementary School in Nashville, Tenn., in 2003. (AP)

Washington, D.C. — After a decade on the books, President George W. Bush’s most hyped domestic accomplishment has become a symbol to many of federal overreach and Congress’ inability to fix something that’s clearly flawed.

Senators Ready Reforms Of Educational Collaboratives

By The WBUR Newsroom

BOSTON — The state Senate is expected to take up a bill written in response to abuses at the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative, where the director was accused of funneling millions of dollars.

Timeline: WBUR’s Top Stories Of 2011

By Benjamin Swasey
The First Church of Monson was hit hard by the June 1 tornado. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

BOSTON — “Whitey” is caught. DiMasi is convicted. Boston is “occupied.” Gambling is law. The Bruins are champs! And oh, that weather — snow, tornadoes, Irene. Review WBUR’s biggest stories of 2011.

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