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  • A step down: Federal education standards
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Boston Globe
    In math, the standards end somewhere short of Algebra II. Ripple effects of the common core standards would be felt throughout public education in Massachusetts. Connecticut scrapped its former standards and assessments in favor of ones that look more like Massachusetts. Vermont and Kentucky also gave up on student portfolio assessments because they proved unwieldy, unreliable, and too expensive.It takes time to develop and implement quality standards.
  • Bankruptcy agreement could aid Kenosha plant
    Mar 13, 2010 — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Kenosha licenses were included in the filing to aid the Chrysler estate "in bolstering the recoverable value, and promoting the efficient liquidation" of the factory, equipment and fixtures in the Kenosha plant. Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said she could not comment on the estate's plans for the disposition of the plant. "Our plans for Kenosha have not changed," she said. "We still plan to close the plant at the end of the year." Kenosha Mayor Keith Bosman said in a...
  • Campaign urges black donors to step up
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
    Of 8,061 people on waiting lists for organs in Pennsylvania, 2,551 are black, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing. Some patients wait five years for a match. Jamiliah Beverly, 14, of Garfield has waited 10 years to receive a bowel, liver and pancreas transplant.
  • Duncan wants 3 ratings for schools in education overhaul
    Mar 13, 2010 — USA Today
    And it will require the skills, talents, and dedication of many: principals, teachers, parents, students.
  • EDITORIAL: EDUCATION
    Mar 13, 2010 — Richmond Times-Dispatch
    Mar. 13, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Educators empaneled by America's governors have proposed a uniform set of educational standards for the nation. This seems like a fine idea, except for the ways that it is not. Uniform standards would make it easier to compare student performance across state lines. Using a common yardstick is preferable to having everyone invent his own ruler.
  • Expert says RI wind farm power cost high, but might be worth it
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Providence Journal
    Because no offshore wind farms have been built in the United States, there are no direct comparisons for prices. That contract was signed in Delaware between Delmarva Power and Bluewater Wind, a company that wants to install 60 to 70 turbines in shallow waters off that state's coast. Any offshore wind farm in the United States would receive renewable-energy credits based on how much power is generated.
  • GOP nominates newcomer to succeed Murtha
    Mar 13, 2010 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    John P. Murtha. Tim Burns, a self-made millionaire from Eighty Four, Washington County, and a native of Mr. Murtha's hometown of Johnstown, handily defeated Bill Russell, who mounted a strong challenge to Mr. Murtha has already attracted widespread attention at the national level.
  • Karzai Reverses on Vote Auditors
    Mar 13, 2010 — New York Times
    Karzai signed a decree allowing him to appoint all five members of the Electoral Complaints Commission in consultation with parliamentary leaders and the chief of the Supreme Court. Karzai of nearly one-third of his votes, forcing a potential runoff. Karzai was eventually declared the president when his remaining challenger dropped out of the race.
  • Lender blames escrow shortage for $400 increase in monthly mortgage payment
    Mar 13, 2010 — Washington Post
    Usually, lenders do not pay interest on escrowed funds. In September, the lender will need six months escrow payments to cover the real-estate tax. Some lenders try to increase the mortgage rate when the borrower opts to avoid escrow.
  • Living History: Utah women's group still political after 90 years
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Salt Lake Tribune
    Utah's Territorial Legislature had sanctioned "unrestrictive" women's suffrage in 1870. James Wolfe (Democrat) -- in those days, women often went by their husband's name -- was president of the WSLC. Members (delegates) listened to resolutions and researched issues.
  • Marilyn Gittell, 78, Advocate for Local School Decisions, Dies
    Mar 13, 2010 — New York Times
    The cause was cancer, her son, Ross Gittell, said. Professor Gittell’s husband, Irwin Gittell, whom she married in 1950, died in 2005. This did not sit very well with Professor Gittell.
  • Mercury News interview
    Mar 13, 2010 — San Jose Mercury News
    It's a solid oxide fuel cell that can operate on either hydrogen or natural gas and make electricity. Many clean tech startups have venture capital funding and DOE loan gaurantees, but they say they still need more money, that there's still a missing piece. They can have carbon offsets from planting trees.
  • Obama previews No Child Left Behind overhaul in address
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Hill
    The president and Duncan separately praised the decision by a Rhode Island school district whose students were performing poorly to fire all 70 of its teachers after they had rejected reforms.
  • Obama promise: Brighter education futures for kids
    Mar 13, 2010 — USA Today
    At issue is the rewrite he intends to send Congress on Monday of the No Child Left Behind law that Bush signed in 2002. Only about 70% of entering high school freshmen go on to graduate. That rhetoric is popular in local districts, where parents like their children's teachers but remain dubious of Washington.
  • Obama proposes overhaul of No Child Left Behind project
    Mar 13, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    President (Newstex ID is UNAFFILIATED-OBAMABARACK)" NewstexID="UNAFFILIATED-OBAMABARACK">President Barack Obama on Saturday said he will send to Congress this week a blueprint for overhauling the nation's education program and the No Child Left Behind project to improve schools, support teachers and set standards that will give high school graduates "the best chance to succeed in a changing world."Worried that the U.S. is falling behind in education, Obama warned in his...
  • Obama proposes restructuring 'No Child'
    Mar 13, 2010 — Washington Post
    Republicans say their teamwork with Democrats so far contrasts starkly with partisan battles on other issues.Whether a bill can be passed before this year's midterm elections remains uncertain. On Wednesday, governors and state schools chiefs proposed common academic standards in math and English that seem on track for adoption in many states.
  • Obama To Unveil Education Plan
    Mar 13, 2010 — Politico
    And it will require the skills, talents, and dedication of many: principals, teachers, parents, students.
  • Obama wants to reshape No Child Left Behind law
    Mar 13, 2010 — Washington Post
    Republicans say their teamwork with Democrats so far contrasts starkly with partisan battles on other issues.Whether a bill can be passed before this year's midterm elections remains uncertain. On Wednesday, governors and state schools chiefs proposed common academic standards in math and English that seem on track for adoption in many states.
  • Obama's education plan to focus on college
    Mar 13, 2010 — USA Today
    The blueprint goes before the House Education and Labor Committee on Wednesday as Obama pushes Congress to reauthorize the education law this year, a time-consuming task that some observers say will be difficult. Education Secretary Arne Duncan briefed a handful of governors, lawmakers and education groups on the plan Friday, including Georgia Gov. The law has been reauthorized several times since, most recently in 2001 under President George W. Bush.
  • Sarah Palin lashes out at D.C., liberals, media
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Orlando Sentinel
    Orange GOP Chairman Lew Oliver said he expected the event to net the party more than $110,000. Orlando was the latest stop in Palin's high-mileage speaking tour. She spoke in Daytona Beach last month, headlined an Ohio Right to Life Society fundraiser last Friday, and landed in Calgary, Canada, the next day. Later this month, Palin will help raise re-election funds for U.S. Sen.
  • SDGandE gets OK to use renewable credits
    Mar 13, 2010 — The San Diego Union-Tribune
    Under that concept, the utilities pay a renewable energy producer for power that will be used at some future point instead of immediately. Some critics have complained the move would let the utilities focus more on accruing paper renewables than real renewables. When the utilities complained that would be far too restrictive, the agency proposed that the credits could cover up to 40 percent of the renewable requirement.
  • Senate parliamentarian stands to become central figure in a health-care vote
    Mar 13, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    Frumin will decide what Democrats can or cannot put in the bill under the fast-track process called "reconciliation" that they plan to use to get around a Republican filibuster. He held the parliamentarian's job for 35 years and was fired twice, once by the Republicans and once by the Democrats.No wonder Frumin is keeping a low profile. If the Democrats want to force them to stop, they will need Frumin on their side.
  • Senate rejects extending funding for youth summer jobs program
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Boston Globe
    Of that, $16 million was spent and paid for 7,000 jobs. Patrick's Day political roast in Dedham, said that he voted against the measure because it was not properly funded, instead relying on a pay-as-you-go program. The amendment included a provision for $1.3 billion for adult jobs programs, which was also rejected.
  • The New Poor: For-Profit Schools Cashing In on Recession and Federal Aid
    Mar 13, 2010 — New York Times
    And the schools are harvesting growing federal student aid dollars, including Pell grants awarded to low-income students. Two years ago, students at for-profit trade schools received $3.2 billion in Pell grants, according to the Department of Education, less than went to students at two-year public institutions. When Andrew Newburg called the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Portland, Ore., to seek information, he was feeling pressure to start a new career.
  • Traditional allies at odds over charter schools
    Mar 13, 2010 — Richmond Times-Dispatch
    Mamie E. Locke, D-Hampton, said in an interview yesterday. Del. James M. Shuler, D-Montgomery, blurted in a committee meeting that he was "shocked" and "appalled" by the VEA's support of the bills, and Del. Under the compromise bill, the state Board of Education would vet the applications before they get to the local school boards.
  • Unions Disappointed By Ed. Bill
    Mar 13, 2010 — Politico
    ...teachers alone—bear the responsibility for school and student success.”Obama will submit on Monday to Congress a blueprint for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, while rolling back parts of the Bush-era No Child Left Behind Act that was built upon the EASA. Administration officials are pushing for reauthorizing the legislation this year with changes they say will emphasize college and career standards, reward schools for closing achievement gaps and...
  • Workers plan to sue Aramark over overtime pay
    Mar 13, 2010 — The Philadelphia Inquirer
    Rubinsky of Brodie Rubinsky P.C. in Center City. Aramark spokeswoman Kristine Grow declined to comment beyond saying: "Aramark follows all federal, state, and local laws." In April 2009, Aramark, without admitting wrongdoing, agreed to pay $154,320 plus attorneys' fees to settle a similar case involving 419 workers at the Convention Center. Yesterday, using a pay stub as an exhibit, Rubinsky and Fox said Aramark designed its checks to make it difficult for workers to...
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