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."

Obama Calls for Longer School Year

"President Obama said on the 'Today' show Monday morning that American students attend school a month less than kids in other countries -- contending that the school-year gap puts them at a competitive disadvantage in the global economy."

Obama's New Goal: 10,000 New Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math Teachers

"President Obama set a new goal today of recruiting 10,000 new teachers in science, technology, engineering, and math, calling these subjects essential to competing in the 21st century global economy."

Schools Tackle Teacher-on-Teacher Bullying

"Most schools have policies that target bullying, but they are usually aimed at students. Now, school districts in Iowa and California are developing rules to prevent teachers from bullying teachers."

Obama Outlines Sweeping Education Revamp

"The Obama administration plans to upend how the government measures and encourages success in the country's public schools as part of a sweeping proposal to rewrite President George W. Bush's signature No Child Left Behind law."

Duncan Wants Three Ratings for Schools in Education Overhaul

"The Obama administration will ask Congress to toss out the two-tiered pass/fail school rating system of the No Child Left Behind education law and replace it with one that labels schools one of three ways: high-performing, needs improvement or chronically low-performing, according to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan."

Tougher New National Math, English Standards Drafted

"Math and English instruction in the United States moved a step closer to uniform — and more rigorous — standards Wednesday as draft new national guidelines were released."

Scholar Diane Ravitch: 'We've Lost Sight' of Schools' Goal

"In her new book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, Ravitch blasts No Child Left Behind, which she says promotes 'a cramped, mechanistic, profoundly anti-intellectual definition of education' — as well as virtually every other recent reform effort that has sought to inject more free-market competition and accountability into education. She finds much to dislike: charter schools, high-stakes tests, corporate-style school management teams and the rising influence of foundation-funded reforms."

Obama Outlines New Education Vision in Budget

"President Barack Obama proposed an overhaul of how the government funds education in his budget proposal on Monday as part of a 'new vision' for elementary and secondary schools."

States Struggle to Keep Top Teachers

"Most states are holding tight to policies that protect incompetent teachers and poor training programs, shortchanging educators and their students before new teachers even step into the classroom, according to a new national report card."

Schools' Zero-Tolerance Policies Tested

"Parents and elected officials across the USA are demanding that schools slacken zero-tolerance policies that are meant to reduce violence because strict adherence has lead to some students being forced out of school for bringing items such as eyebrow trimmers and a Cub Scout's camping tool to campus."