New Enrollment Dips a Bit at U.S. Graduate Schools (New York Times - September 22, 2011)

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, the graduate enrollment rate has decreased for the first time since 2003. Researchers point to the rising cost of tuition and the ongoing recession for the recent drop in domestic student enrollment.

Global Effort to Recruit Teachers Expands (New York Times - September 21, 2011)

After only four years, the international network of educational nonprofit groups, Teach for All, has 1,500 teachers in over 12 different countries. The diverse network is a universal power but has received little media attention. This week the group’s founder, Wendy Kopp, will be speaking at the Clinton initiative in New York. Next week, she will take part in the Education Nation summit.

Top Reasons for School Absences, and How to Handle Them (USA Today – September 21, 2011)

According to a 2010 study by the National Center for Health Statistics, 43 percent of children in grade school miss three or more days of school each year due to illness. Some of the top conditions that keep children out of school include respiratory infections, influenza, stomach viruses and head lice.

Education Chief Focuses on Bullying Nationwide (Buffalo News – September 22, 2011)

In the wake of a number of recent childhood suicides, the National Education Department is helping school districts do more to combat bullying. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has made school bullying one of his top priorities.

Report: Obama, Arne Duncan Revamping No Child Left Behind (Politico – September 22, 2011)

President Obama is planning to do away with many key elements of the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind education policy. Included in the cuts are national umbrella standards in math and reading. Instead, states will be encouraged to put their own standards in place.

Grading the GOP Candidates on Education (TIME – September 22, 2011)

Shadowed by pressing economic issues, education has become a less prominent issue in the presidential campaign than it usually is. Many candidates have even failed to include their education positioning on campaign pages.

KANSAS CITY: Kansas City, Mo. School District Loses Accreditation (MSNBC - September 21)

The district now faces the possibility of a state takeover, having failed to meet most of the state's academic standards.

KANSAS CITY: KC Families Seek to Transfer to Suburban Schools (AP/Houston Chronicle - September 21)

Now that the Kansas City school district has been stripped of its accreditation by the state, parents are scrambling to get their kids into schools in neighboring districts. 

LOS ANGELES: L.A.School District and Administrators Agree on Contract (Los Angeles Times – September 21, 2011)

The Los Angeles Unified School District and the administrative union agreed on a tentative contract that would run through the 2014 school year. Specifics of the 2,200 member union agreement include a new pilot evaluation program. 

MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA: O'Malley, McDonnell to Talk Education in New York (Washington Post – September 22, 2011)

The governors of Maryland and Virginia are among those slated to join in the education discussion next Monday as part of the Education Nation summit in New York City. The governors and panelists will field questions from teachers, parents and summit organizers.

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