A new Alliance report finds that there is a strong correlation between economic prosperity and growth and equity in education. Minority and low-income students make up increasing percentages of the total number of students. As future consumers and workforce members, it’s essential for these students, and all students, to receive a quality education for America to remain competitive in the future. Education Week
The US Department of Education made waves with several big announcements this week. The Department has named 61 finalists in its Race to the Top-District Competition. The competition will allocate $400 million among the districts chosen for the strongest school reform plans. Washington Post
The second big-ticket news item from the Department of Education this week involves graduation rates data. For the first time, the Department has released information on four-year high school graduation rates for the 2010-11 school year. This release is the first in which all states used a common method of calculation. The data highlights achievement gaps. Politics K-12 and Huffington Post
Practice makes perfect, for educators, too. One opinion writer takes on the feeling of helplessness some teachers feel when their students underachieve. She suggests preparation and practice outside the classroom can transform results inside the classroom. New York Times