A Minute With: School Principals on "Waiting for Superman"

"The documentary film 'Waiting for Superman' has been generating a lot of buzz since its release in September for its portrayal of problems within U.S. schools and what might be done to solve them."

Year-Round School Gains Ground Around U.S.

"Ten years ago, according to Education Department statistics, about 1.5 million public school children went to class on a 'balanced schedule' — usually shorthanded as YRE, for 'year-round education.' Six years ago, that number was up to 2 million. By 2008, nearly 2.5 million pupils were on a YRE plan."

Study: Half of High School Students Admit to Bullying

"Half of all high school students say they have bullied someone in the past year, with nearly as many saying they have been the victims of bullying, according to a new study released this week. The study of the 'Ethics of American Youth' released Tuesday surveyed more than 40,000 high school students and has been conducted every other year since 1992."

Evaluating School Leaders

"School leaders have a multiplier effect — they can put in place conditions that help or hamstring effective teaching."

A Focus on Technology

"If technology is well designed, experts say, it can help tailor the learning experience to individual students, facilitate student-teacher collaboration, and assist teachers in monitoring student performance each day and in quickly fine-tuning lessons."

1 in 6 Students is Regularly Bullied, Survey Shows

"In the largest survey of its kind to look at the issue, researchers surveyed 524,054 students at 1,593 schools across the nation over the last two year to get a better picture of bullying in grades three through 12."

Non Devotional Bible Study in Public Schools

"The average American can’t answer basic questions about world religion, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey, which prompted renewed calls for religious study in public schools. In many states, however, that education already exists."

1 in 5 U.S. Teens Has Serious Mental Disorder

"About one in five teens in the United States suffers from a mental disorder severe enough to their impact daily activities, either currently or at some point in their lives, according to a startling new study."

Study: Memory Improves More With Testing

"Regular testing and practicing for tests can improve memory by helping the brain become more efficient at storing and recalling facts, U.S. researchers say."

Education Dept. Sees 11% Spike in Civil Rights Complaints

"The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights received nearly 7,000 complaints this fiscal year, an 11% increase and the largest jump in at least 10 years, according to data provided by the department. The increase comes as the office proceeds with 54 compliance reviews in districts and institutions of higher education nationwide, including cases involving disparate discipline rates and treatment of students with disabilities."

Pennsylvania School District Settles Laptop Privacy Lawsuit

"Several lawsuits involving privacy concerns in a laptop computer distribution program at a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-area school district were settled late Monday."

Six U.S. States Excel in Education Funding: Study

"Six U.S. states, primarily along the East Coast, have the highest level of education funding per student and also excel in making sure money reaches the poorest schools, according to a study released on Tuesday."

LA Teacher Layoff Pact Seen as Model for Districts

"A proposed agreement that would change how teachers are laid off in the nation's second-largest school district is being hailed as a landmark that could pave the way for changes in urban districts across the nation."

4,100 Students Suggest ‘Small Is Better’ Rule May Be Wrong

"A turnaround at a large Massachusetts high school is drawing new attention."