The Star – Louise Brown

“But a surprising new bottom-line look at early learning suggests how much you learn in kindergarten — and whether you had a seasoned teacher — can help determine how rich and educated you will be as a grown-up, and even whether you will be married before age 30.”(more)

The Boston Globe – Jack Nicas

“Massachusetts is the 46th state to make its state schools universities, officials said. On Oct. 26, Bridgewater State, Salem State, Worcester State, Westfield State, Fitchburg State, and Framingham State will officially become universities. Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will not change names.”(more)

The Denver Post – Colleen O’Conner

“Colorado is one of 19 finalists in the second phase of the federal “Race to the Top” competition, and independent observers say the state has a good chance of being among the 10 to 15 winners, who will be announced in September.”(more)

The Orange County Register – Martin Wisckol

“Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown today posted an education-reform plan on his website. Among his proposals are an overhaul of higher education, several proposals for improving the quality of teachers, and an increased emphasis on science, technology, engineering, history and humanities.”(more)

China Daily – Staff Writer

“The number of fee-paying international students in New Zealand increased by 7 percent in the first four months of the year compared to the same period last year, Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce said on Wednesday.”(more)

China Daily – Cheng Anqi

“Although the problem of a dearth of employment opportunities for college graduates has shown no signs of abating, young employees are not letting that stop them from changing jobs.”(more)

Los Angeles Times – Seema Mehta

“Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown unveiled an education reform plan Wednesday that calls for a wholesale restructuring of California’s public school system, from changing the way schools are funded to revamping the state’s higher education system.”(more)

BBC – Angela Harrison

“More than 150 top schools in England have applied to become academies.”(more)

The Guardian – Roger Brown

“A close study of major developed HE systems shows that market competition for students and research funds makes universities more efficient and responsive, and possibly more innovative. The downside is that unless strong countervailing measures are taken, too much competition reinforces the existing status hierarchy, reduces institutional diversity (as all seek to be “world-class, research-led” etc), diverts resources into prestige building and branding, damages wider participation, balkanises institutions and, paradoxically, threatens quality. Far from increasing the value society gains from its investment in higher education, excessive competition actually reduces it, with the US as the classic case.”(more)

The Guardian – Alan Thomas and Harriet Pattison

“From the home educators’ point of view, however, the conflating of welfare issues with education is a dangerous step. It not only threatens educational freedom but also places a presumption of guilt on loving families who must prove themselves innocent to suspicious officialdom. And, most insidious of all, if the law were changed, social workers and education professionals would presumably be expected to monitor the quality of education provided.”(more)