The Atlantic – Ta-Nehisi Coates

“I experienced my ignorance of words and grammar as a physical distance, as a longing for something that was mere inches away. In that gap, there was all the magic of childhood.”(more)

Time – Annie Murphy Paul

“The race is over. You (or your son or daughter) got into college, accepted the offer of admission, bought the sweatshirt with your school’s logo. There’s just one obstacle standing in the way: summer. A growing body of research shows that the summer before college can be a treacherous time for teenagers…”(more)

Education Week – Erik Robelen

“Rhode Island has become the first state to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards, after its state board of education on Thursday voted unanimously to approve them.”(more)

Education News – Julia Lawrence

“This year’s edition of a school curriculum survey shows that the gap between high school teachers’ understanding of how well their students are prepared for college and the reality of their preparation remains wide, The Washington Post reports.”(more)

Education News – Julia Lawrence

“Parents will have more school choice opportunities in Michigan this year, The Detroit News reports. Authorizers approved 32 new charters since the beginning of 2013 and all of them are scheduled to open their doors to students this fall.”(more)

Students First – Eric Lerum

“In New York City, the record is strong. Student achievement and graduation rates are up. The city has some of the most successful, vibrant and innovative public charter schools in the country.”(more)

Education Next – Joey Gustafson

“The work of authorizers is central to the charter compact: granting autonomy in exchange for accountability. What entity decides if the compact has been honored? The authorizer decides.”(more)

Reuters – Stephanie Simon

“Louisiana’s schools chief vowed on Friday to push ahead with a plan to let students take classes from private firms and nonprofits at taxpayers’ expense, despite a legal setback and objections from some educators.”(more)

Truthout – Jeff Bryant

“…activists driving protests against the nation’s prevailing education policies are ratcheting the fight to unprecedented intensity that will likely become even more forceful in future efforts…The movement is propelled by forces far greater than what education journalists and policy leaders understand – widespread grievances about inequity, unfairness, and public disempowerment. The revolt is happening. The revolt is now.”(more)

Education Week – Erik W. Robelen

“Well before the Next Generation Science Standards became final last month, teachers in pockets around the country were already exploring the vision for science education espoused by the document and bringing elements of that approach to the classroom.”(more)