A Little Give in the Dress Code (New York Times - September 1)

For years, both public and private schools have used student uniforms to reduce the amount of skin, limit gang colors and eliminate labeled clothing disparities. But, as retailers cater to the idea of uniforms and schools accept the fashion-forward items, back-to-school shopping may be back in style.

Back-to-School Bus Heads to the Great Lakes (ED.gov - September 1)

The Education Department announced this week that Secretary Duncan plans to hold more than 50 events next week. His Back-to-School Bus Tour starts up on Wednesday, September 7th when the tour heads to the Great Lakes region. The theme of the tour is “Education and the Economy: Investing in Our Future.”

CALIFORNIA: A DREAM Act Deferred? (Education Nation's The Learning Curve blog - September 1)

Earlier this year, California state assembly member Gilbert Cedillo introduced the California Dream Act, which would give undocumented students access to public funds for education. On Wednesday, the California Senate passed one half of the legislation, AB131. Jose Antonio Vargas writes that hopefully the dream can stay alive for the estimated 24,000 undocumented students who graduate each year from California's public high schools looking to pursue higher education.

COLORADO: Colo. Communities, Schools Getting $54M From (msnbc.com/AP - September 1)

In Denver, Gov. John Hickenlooper announced that more than $54 million will be distributed this year to Colorado communities and school districts. The money from state severance tax collections and federal mineral leases will be used to help communities whose roads, schools and other infrastructure are affected by energy and mineral production.

IOWA: Teacher of the Year: Campbell Keeps 'em on the Ball (Des Moines Register - September 2)

Iowa's Teacher of the Year annual award was presented to Charity Campbell during a school assembly at Norwalk Middle School Thursday by Gov. Terry Branstad. Campbell, a veteran physical education teacher, is praised for going beyond traditional physical education activities by incorporating technology in the classroom with heart rate monitors, Dance, Dance Revolution and music video games.

NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Launches Pilot Teacher Evaluation Program, Equally Weighing Tests and Class Success (Huffington Post - September 1)

New Jersey launched a pilot program Thursday that will evaluate teachers at 10 schools. The program will equally weigh a student's academic and classroom performance, and it will also use a four-tiered scale of "ineffective," "partially effective," "effective" and "highly effective."

NEW YORK: At Columbia, Faith of Some in President Is Shaken (New York Times - September 1)

After two recent resignations by high-ranking black administrators, several Columbia University professors shared their concern with and waning confidence in the institution’s president, Lee C. Bollinger. Bollinger responded to criticism in an interview, saying, "While some may perceive an issue of diversity involved here in both resignations, I’m confident that that’s not either the explanation, nor is it in any way a reflection of the institution’s commitment to diversity.”

PHILADELPHIA: Suspicion Surrounds Ackerman Buyout (Education Nation's The Learning Curve blog - September 2)

Why is there so much secrecy around the private donors who spent $405,000 to buy out Arlene Ackerman's contract? Zachary Stalberg, president and CEO of Philadelphia watchdog group the Committee of Seventy, thinks the deal is suspicious. 

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.