Bilingualism is Good Brain Exercise for Kids (And Adults) (Education Nation's The Learning Curve blog - September 14)

Recent research shows that infants who live in bilingual households are more open to language learning for longer periods of time and are more flexible thinkers. Patricia Kuhl, co-director of the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences, explains.

SAT Reading Scores Drop to Lowest Point in Decades (Washington Post - September 14)

SAT reading scores nationwide, including both public and private school students, reached the lowest point in nearly four decades last year. The College Board, who reported this steady decline, points to a growing diversity of test-takers, some of whom may be less college-prepared or have English as their second language.

MAINE: State Helps Cue Better Education (Morning Sentinel - September 15)

Maine has been selected as a lead state to help develop new national standards for teaching science - the Next Generation Science Standards.

NEW YORK: What if the Secret to Success Is Failure? (New York Times - September 15)

Dominic Randolph, the headmaster of Riverdale Country School, a prestigious New York City private school, regularly challenges the basic elements of a contemporary American education. He has done away with Advanced Placement classes, limited homework assignments, and views standardized tests for admission as unfair. He says the "push on tests is missing out on some serious parts of what it means to be a successful human.” 

NEW YORK: Department of Education Miscalculated Available School Space: Report (New York Daily News - September 15)

A new city controller report says the Department of Education has made sizable miscalculations in how school rooms are used and available space for students.

WASHINGTON: Tacoma, Washington School District Wants Striking Teachers Ordered Back to Work (Huffington Post/AP - September 14)

Classes will resume Thursday after a judge ordered teachers in Washington state's third-largest school district to return to work after walking out over issues including pay and how teachers are transferred.

WISCONSIN: Madison, Wisconsin Ranked as Best U.S. Educated City (Reuters - September 14)

Madison, Wisc. receives the highest marks as the most educated American city, due to the large population of students, lower unemployment and good businesses.

All statements and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual contributors, and not of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation or NBC News.