The Washington Post – Michael Bimbaum

“Math and reading scores for Maryland elementary and middle school students who were already meeting basic expectations improved this year, but the worst-performing students posted smaller gains than in previous years, according to test results released Tuesday.”(more)

Washington Post – Jay Mathews

“My colleague Bill Turque has a provocative report on D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee planning more standardized tests for city schools. Turque says Rhee plans to add, among other things, tests in core subjects such as science and social science, particularly in middle and high school. . . . Newcomers to the Washington area, if they have school-age children, generally look to Fairfax and Montgomery counties for public schools, not D.C. Fairfax and Montgomery Counties, as well as Virginia and Maryland schools in general, have many more required tests in core subjects for high schoolers than D.C. schools do. They focus closely on the results, and try to make sure every child reaches the state standard in several subjects, because high school graduation depends on it. That is precisely what Rhee wants to do. If this works in the burbs, why shouldn’t she?”(more)

Inside Higher Ed – Doug Lederman

“What’s perhaps most noteworthy about Coppin’s plan, though, is that it shows an institution acknowledging its shortcomings in a fundamental area of its operation and taking aggressive (and expensive) steps to improve the situation — in contrast to the easy stereotype of a complacent higher education enterprise.”(more)

The Washington Post – Michael Birnbaum

“Maryland on Tuesday became one of the first states to endorse academic standards that are part of a movement to unify reading and math instruction across the nation, a move that would affect every public school student in the state and require new teacher training and standardized tests.”(more)

Washington Post – Michael Birnbaum

“The Maryland State Education Association sent a letter to State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick detailing objections to the proposal, which would base 50 percent of each teacher’s evaluation on student progress, overhaul statewide exams and offer extra pay to qualified teachers and principals who work in low-performing schools.”(more)

The Gazette – Margarita Raycheva

“Frederick Community College students will have to dig deeper into their pockets to pay for classes this fall.”(more)

The Washington Post – Michael Birnbaum

“Maryland education officials charted a reform path Tuesday that would overhaul statewide exams, make student performance a factor in teacher evaluations and toughen graduation requirements in math and science. They hope their proposal will make the state eligible for millions of dollars in federal education aid.”(more)

The Baltimore Sun – Julie Bykowicz

“For decades, Maryland lawmakers have built up public education through spending requirements that they’ve imposed on themselves and on local governments. But this year, more seriously than ever, the General Assembly is looking for ways to nip at school funding.”(more)

USA Today- Greg Toppo

“If you had asked Nancy Grasmick five years ago how things were going with her big, splashy Advanced Placement campaign, she would have said: It’s not pretty.”(more)

Washington Post – Nick Anderson

“The District ranks high, Virginia low and Maryland last in a new ranking of charter school laws that seeks to promote growth of the independently operated public schools as well as tighter oversight of charter applicants and low performers.”(more)