Youth Attempt Suicide Sooner Than Thought

"About one in nine people attempt suicide by the time they graduate from high school, U.S. researchers say."

Poverty Dominates Many School Districts: Census

"Nearly half of all children in America live in school districts with high levels of poverty, according to U.S. Census data released on Tuesday that pointed to financial traps many public schools are caught in."

For-Profit Certification for Teachers Is Booming

"More than 110 alternative certification programs — including iteachTexas, which Mr. Arrington is completing, and nonprofits like Teach for America — produce 40 percent of all new teachers in Texas, according to an analysis of Texas Education Agency data by Ed Fuller, a Penn State University education professor and former University of Texas researcher."

Report: School Counselors Have Come to a ‘Crossroads’

"Today’s school counselors see a 'striking gap' between their ideals and their day-to-day work. . ."

Smart Thinking Can Be Learned

"Intelligence and smart thinking are not the same; smart thinking is not an innate quality but rather a skill to be cultivated, U.S. researchers say."

Teachers Can Help Abused Kids Adjust

"Abused children can return to school and do well academically if teachers can help them control their emotions, focus and stay motivated, U.S. researchers say."

Corporal Punishment Article

"In 1979 . . .Sweden became the first country to ban physical punishment of children. Since then, 30 more countries have passed bans on corporal punishment at home, and even more have banned it in schools, according to the Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children."

Teachers: Many Not Ready for Kindergarten

"Most U.S. kindergarten teachers think most young children are unprepared for school when they enter kindergarten, a survey indicates."

The Problem With Paying Teachers Less

". . . when conservative thinkers at the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation issued a paper on Tuesday arguing not only that teachers are overpaid, but when you factor in pensions, health care and other benefits, that total compensation for teachers is 52% higher than fair market value, it was bound to be controversial."

Survey: Sexual Harassment Common in Grades 7-12

"During the 2010-11 school year, 48% of students in grades 7-12 experienced some form of sexual harassment in person or electronically, according to a national survey being released today by the American Association of University Women."

Independent Reading Doesn't Up Achievement

"Independent reading doesn't improve children's achievement in reading, at least among children age 11 at the end of elementary school, U.S. researchers say."

Best-Ever US Student Math Scores — But Still Behind

"New test scores released Tuesday show the nation's fourth- and eighth-graders doing their best ever in math. In reading, eighth-graders had some modest improvements."

Classroom Background Noise Limits Learning

"Student test scores can suffer negative effects from subtle classroom noise, such as the humming of the air conditioning and heating systems, researcher say."