Obese teachers: K-12 education's $2.5 billion problem

Wondering why all that extra federal money for "teacher quality" just seems to get absorbed by the system? Maybe this is why.

On wimps

Books like this are fine, but it's incorrect (title of book in question notwithstanding) to see them as diagnosing a "national problem." The temptation exists, of course, to find in their stories reflections of a country in which high school students don't eat lunch (no time!), in which parents w

Everyone's special

I'm not a special education (SPED) expert nor will I ever claim to be one. But I do know that it happens to have one of the most mobilized and vocal constituencies in education. And that's no surprise--understandably, parents of special needs children want their kids to receive the services that they need.

"Jimmy Hoffa in a Dress"

Obama 1, McCain 0

One of Senator John McCain's most attractive virtues is his willingness to stand on principle even in the face of adversity. He promoted comprehensive immigration reform even though his own party's base hated it. He continues to support the Iraq War even though the public wants the troops out.

David Hoff strikes back

Not happy that the McCain campaign is using an Ed Week article he wrote last year to demonstrate Obama's thin record on educatio

Gadfly's got game

That's right, it does. This week's issue is out. Don't miss Mike's feature article, which argues that we need fewer chunky teachers in our public schools.

Hat trick

Reports the BBC: "A university has asked students to refrain from throwing their mortar board hats in the air to celebrate graduation in case someone gets hurt." Smart. Hat-related injuries can and do occur.

Wake update

We've documented how Wake County (Raleigh) is making a real mess of its public schools.

2008 Spelling Bee

It's on. And with ESPN360, you don't have to miss a moment. A moment like this. Update: Or this!

Asteroid killers

TO: [email protected]

The gift that stopped giving

As part of its effort to trim $200 million from its budget, the New York City Department of Ed will take down a notch its plan to expand screening programs for gifted and talented pupils.

Wikipedia 101

Back at ya, Bauerlein

From Newsweek, this article provides a well-argued and sorely-needed counterpoint to Mark Bauerlein's recent youth-bashing book, The Dumbest Generation. Some choice bits: