Chinese Students Flood U.S. Grad Schools (Wall Street Journal – August 16)

Graduate schools saw a 21 percent increase in Chinese applicants, according to a study to be released Tuesday. 

Virtual and Artificial, but 58,000 Want Course (New York Times - August 15)

At Stanford University, a free online course on artificial intelligence has attracted more than 58,000 students around the globe - no Stanford grades or credit included.

Engadget's Back to School Guide 2011: Tablets (AOL Tech – August 15)

A guide to the best tablets to check out while heading back to school.

MONTANA: Ed. Dept Allows Montana to Rewrite Its NCLB History (Education Week – August 15)

Federal officials have agreed to let Montana revise its proficiency targets through its accountability workbook, instead of through a formal waiver.

WASHINGTON, DC: Report: Transportation Services for DC Special Education Students Jeopardized Safety (Washington Post/AP - August 16)

D.C.'s 3,500 special education students were put in harm's way due to unsafe transportation services, according to a new report.

LOS ANGELES: Students in State Show Gains in English and Math Scores (Los Angeles Times - August 15)

California students showed signs of improvement on standardized test scores: 54 percent of students scored at the proficient level or higher in English-language arts and 50 percent scored proficient or better in math.

WISCONSIN: Teachers Union Layoffs Could be Bellwether for Other Public Employee Unions (Wisconsin State Journal - August 15)

Wisconsin's teachers union issued layoff notices to 42 employees, about 40 percent of its staff, and is pointing the finger at Gov. Walker's "union-busting" legislation.

CHICAGO: Chicago Teachers Strike? Union Leader Karen Lewis Says Odds are 'Very High' (Huffington Post - August 15)

Karen Lewis, president of Chicago Teachers Union, said that teachers may move to go on strike in the coming year.

LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Teachers Test a Pilot Evaluation Program (Los Angeles Times - August 15)

Los Angeles Unified tries out one of their most ambitious reform efforts in an evaluation project that gives more feedback on their methods.

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Superintendents Call State Agency Ineffective (New York Times - August 15)

According to a survey released on Monday, nearly three-quarters of New Jersey school superintendents said the state Education Department did not play an important role in helping districts raise students’ achievement or preparing graduates for college and careers.

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