Colorado needs more time to rethink opt-out policy

The fourth-grade tradition of building a California mission out of Popsicle sticks and sugar cubes is being pushed aside by the state as history lessons change to reflect all cultures and more accurately depict the past. Read more>>

A new, nationwide study offers typically middling insights into large-scale school reform: School closures, on average, don’t much help or hurt student performance. The report also found disproportionate closure effects for students living in poverty, and black and Hispanic students. Read more>>

The New Mexico Public Education Department can’t explain how nearly $20 million intended for administrative support at charter schools was spent over five years, State Auditor Tim Keller said. His staff said a review of the charter schools revealed a “lack of transparency and accountability.” Read more>>

The state is asking for more time to figure out how to meet federal requirements for giving students standardized tests while respecting the rights of parents who don’t want their children to take them. The federal education department has stated that Colorado’s approach does not align with the nation’s updated education law. Read more>>

South Dakota lawmakers who are trying to understand how an education cooperative at Platte lost nearly $1.4 million before it closed June 30 are also considering more safeguards to make that type of financial mismanagement less likely in the future. Read more>>

A professional services firm has been awarded a contract to conduct a comprehensive audit of the Prince George’s County Public Schools grading system. Calls for such an audit came back in the spring, when board of education members alleged that grades at county public schools had been manipulated in order to boost the county’s graduation rate. Read more>>

Mold may raise images of sick students and rotting buildings, but in reality, it’s an easy—and most times inexpensive—problem to solve if dealt with quickly and effectively. Read more>>

In its first decision in a school discipline case, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled zero tolerance policies on school fighting cannot deny students the right to assert they were defending themselves. The court said Georgia law gives students the legal right to argue self-defense as a justification. Read more>>

A new crop of test results demonstrates how far Michigan schools must go to improve the level of education they deliver. However, if Michigan switches its assessment again now, it will reset the state’s ability to make meaningful accountability decisions with the data, whether using it for teacher evaluations or deciding which schools need state intervention. Read more>>

Readiness is the best way to survive the unexpected. Ask anyone in Texas who survived Harvey's unwelcome visit. Of all the lessons we've learned from hurricanes, tornadoes, terror attacks, school shootings and broken water mains, the most important is this: If we want to survive a disaster, we better have a plan in place. Read more>>

Through a new collaboration, Wasatch County School District will accelerate its districtwide five-year digital conversion with Discovery Education’s Streaming Plus, Social Studies Techbook and Science Techbook digital content and professional development resources. Read more>>

UpSmart is a supplemental solution designed to ensure middle school students achieve proficiency in grade-level English language arts and math skills by using the adaptive learning engine and technology-enhanced assessment items. Read more>>

Literacy Central is a new digital destination that includes thousands of free supplemental resources for elementary school children to help parents and educators increase interest, comprehension and frequency of reading among children. Read more>>

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Construction of the new Arnold Elementary School is ongoing as part of the county’s six-year $764 million for Anne Arundel County Public Schools. About $431 million of funding is county money with the remainder state and federal grants and reimbursements. The money is being used to construct several new schools while modernizing others. Read more>>

The city’s School Construction Authority is over budget on more than half its current major projects—costing taxpayers at least $300 million more than planned, city data show. One project alone has nearly doubled in cost, soaring from $53.9 million to $98.6 million, according to the figures. Read more>>