More education in the news. . .

. . . Students
"What Makes Finnish Kids So Smart?": The Wall Street Journal, February 29, 2008
"Survey Finds Teenagers Ignorant on Basic History and Literature Questions": The New York Times, February 27, 2008
"Teaching Boys and Girls Separately": The New York Times, March 2, 2008
"Minorities, Poor Get 'Highly Gifted' Lift": The Denver Post, March 4, 2008
"High School Dropouts Cost State Billions": See results of a new report from the California Dropout Research Project. San Francisco Chronicle, February 28, 2008
"Busing to Suburbs Didn't Boost Test Scores": Star Tribune, March 3, 2008
"Cheating Scandals Rock Three Top-Tier High Schools": ABC News, February 29, 2008

. . . Teacher Quality
"Results Mixed in First Year of Texas's Teacher Merit Pay Plan": See the one-year evaluation report of the state program. The Dallas Morning News, February 28, 2008
"Performance-Pay Results Show Need for More Work on Concept": Read about performance-pay initiatives in other states. Education Week, March 3, 2008
"In Final Months, Ed. Dept. Seeks Teachers' Advice": Education Week, March 3, 2008

. . . NCLB
"New TAKS Tests May Mean Lower Scores": Star-Telegram, March 4, 2008
"Lawmakers to Consider New Statewide Student Tests": Lincoln Journal Star, March 4, 2008
"Costs of Administering the WASL Set for Sharp Increase": The Seattle Times, March 2, 2008
"Children Are Spending More Time in the Classroom": NewsLink Indiana, February 27, 2008
"Students Who Don't Speak English to Take ISAT": ABCNews7Chicago, March 3, 2008
"Bush Education Budget Inadequate, Spellings Is Told": Education Week, February 27, 2008

Group topics

Claire, Eliza, Hayley: public v. private

Sam, Sara, Bailey: ESL/bilingual education

Morgan, Sarah, Cody: Educational systems of other countries (I recommend Grain of Sand documentary about Mexico)

Sharon, Mary, Abby: Teacher Quality/ Teacher Accountability

Charis, Kate, Laura: art, music, and physical education

Allie, Michael, Stephen: Single-sex education