Education

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Obama defends education policies to critics

Challenging civil rights organizations and teachers' unions that have criticized his education policies, President Barack Obama said Thursday that minority students have the most to gain from overhauling the nation's...

Mass. Gov. signs college name-change bill
Associated Press - July 28, 2010 3:54 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick has signed a bill that allows the state's nine public colleges to be called universities.

National Standards Approved for Massachusetts Schools

Some major changes are in the works for Massachusetts classrooms. The state board of education approves a plan to replace the state's Math and English curriculam

Vt. Education Dept. joins national standards group
Associated Press - July 28, 2010 8:45 AM ET MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Department of Education is joining 30 other states in an effort to create national standards to measure what...

Mass. a finalist for Race to the Top funding
Associated Press - July 27, 2010 12:44 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts has been named a finalist for the Obama administration's grant competition to encourage states to revamp their education...

Springfield charter school loses bid to stay open
SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WGGB) -- The Robert M. Hughes Academy Charter School has been told by Superior Court that is must close its doors.

Building boom on at UMass campuses
Associated Press - July 25, 2010 10:24 AM ET WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A building boom is on at the University of Massachusetts. At the Worcester campus, excavation has begun on a $400...

Hindu group asks Vt school district for holiday
Associated Press - July 23, 2010 7:35 AM ET BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A Hindu group has asked the school district in Burlington, Vt., to include a new religious holiday in its calendar.

Mass. lawmakers OK bill targeting school food
Associated Press - July 22, 2010 6:44 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts lawmakers have sent to Gov. Deval Patrick a bill designed to encourage healthier food options in the state's elementary...

Patrick team proposes new math, English standards

BOSTON (AP) - A top education aide to Gov. Deval Patrick is recommending that the state replace its own math and English public education standards with new proposed federal guidelines.

Mass. officials adopt virtual school criteria
Associated Press - July 21, 2010 2:04 PM ET MALDEN, Mass. (AP) - Massachusetts education officials have approved restrictions for any virtual schools that want to open in the state.

Mass. board approves education curriculum change
Associated Press - July 21, 2010 12:04 PM ET MALDEN, Mass. (AP) - Massachusetts education officials have approved a plan to replace the state's math and English public school curricula with...

Mass. GOP calls for delay in ed standards vote
Associated Press - July 20, 2010 12:34 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Republicans are waging an assault on the Patrick administration's proposal to swap the state's public schools math and...

Weld: Changing ed standards 'a retrograde step'
Associated Press - July 20, 2010 7:54 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld is criticizing proposed changes in the state's math and English curriculum.

2 former Mass. education chiefs back test changes
Associated Press - July 19, 2010 2:14 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Two former state education commissioners are backing a proposal that would require Massachusetts to replace its own math and English...

Mass. schools wary of regionalization
Associated Press - July 19, 2010 6:34 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - Many of the state's smaller public school systems are under pressure to merge with their neighbors in a move meant to cut costs, but at...

Westfield school cuts over union conflict total $1.8 million

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- A game of politics could have serious consequences in the Whip City, including the closing of a school, elimination of educational programs and layoffs, as the City Council and the Westfield Education Association.

Mass. minority professor program hits 20 years
Associated Press - July 16, 2010 12:04 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - A program at a well-known New England prep school that trains potential black, Latino and Asian college professors is celebrating its...

House bill would make school lunches healthier
House Democrats are moving forward on first lady Michelle Obama's vision for healthier school lunches, propelling legislation that calls for tougher standards governing food in school and more meals for hungry children.

Conn. can continue seeking waiver of education law
Associated Press - July 13, 2010 7:44 PM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A federal appeals court says Connecticut can continue pursuing a waiver of the federal No Child Left Behind Law.

Agriculture colleges sell cow herds to cut costs
The fields and long red barns at the University of Vermont will soon house fewer cows as low milk prices, high costs and budget cuts have forced the university to sell its herd.

Provincetown tweaks condom availability program
Associated Press - July 13, 2010 8:04 AM ET PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (AP) - The Provincetown School Committee has made minor changes to its condom availability policy that drew criticism from both...

Mass. to get $59M for lowest performing schools
Associated Press - July 12, 2010 3:54 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts is receiving $59 million in federal stimulus money aimed at helping out the state's lowest performing schools.

UMass-Amherst raises school's Boston profile
Associated Press - July 11, 2010 2:04 PM ET AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - The University of Massachusetts flagship Amherst campus has hired a veteran state Senate staffer to help raise the school's...

Springfield tests riddled with errors don't make the grade

One mistake, after another. A recent batch of tests administered to over 2600 Springfield high school students is riddled with mistakes.

Report: Hartford schools failing troubled students
Associated Press - July 7, 2010 5:14 PM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A state investigation into the Hartford Public Schools has found students with emotional and behavioral disorders are being...

New UMass Law School off to a strong start
Associated Press - July 6, 2010 6:04 AM ET DARTMOUTH, Mass. (AP) - The University of Massachusetts Law School is attracting more students with more impressive academic credentials than it did...

South Hadley board approves anti-bullying policy

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (AP) - The school committee in the western Massachusetts community where a high school freshman hanged herself allegedly after being bullied by classmates has approved an anti-bullying policy.

Closed Springfield charter school goes to court

BOSTON (AP) - Lawyers for a Springfield charter school closed by state education officials following a cheating scandal are asking a judge for another chance.

Democrats add teacher money to war funding bill
House Democrats, who are trying to pass a long-stalled war funding bill this week, have attached $10 billion to help local school districts avoid teacher layoffs when schools reopen.

Provincetown schools to clarify condom policy
Associated Press - June 30, 2010 8:24 AM ET PROVINCETOWN, Mass. (AP) - The superintendent of Provincetown schools is apologizing to parents for what she calls a misunderstanding of the...

3 parents sue South Hadley school committee

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (AP) - Three South Hadley parents who have been openly critical of the way the administration handled the bullying and subsequent suicide of a high school freshman claim in a lawsuit that the school committee illegally renewed the superintendent's contract.

Amherst educator named Teacher of the Year

AMHERST, Mass. (WGGB) -- The 2011 Teacher of the Year in Massachusetts, Wilma Ortiz, worked hard not only to earn that title, but to gain the English skills necessary to teach at Amherst Middle School.

Vt.'s Lyndon State College gets $1 million gift
Associated Press - June 28, 2010 2:45 PM ET LYNDON CENTER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont's Lyndon State College says a $1 million gift from an outdoor clothing manufacturer will be used to help fund a...

South Hadley schools one step closer to having Anti-Bullying policy

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- After many months of debate and discussion, the South Hadley School District is one step closer to having an anti-bullying policy.

LA teacher makes algebra cool with a hip-hop beat

The class of eighth graders at a Los Angeles middle school tap their rulers and nod their heads to the rhythm of the rap video projected on a screen. It's not Snoop Dogg or Jay-Z.

Toy soldiers run afoul of school's weapons ban
Christan Morales said her son just wanted to honor American troops when he wore a hat to school decorated with an American flag and small plastic Army figures.

NH professor pushes for return to slow reading

Slow readers of the world, uuuuuuuu...niiiiite!

Springfield Teachers Face Layoffs

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB)-- Springfield teachers are being laid off again this year. According to Azell Cavaan, communications direction for the Springfield School Department, 209 have been issued.

Survey says: Poverty, parental involvement key
Associated Press - June 15, 2010 2:05 PM ET ESSEX, Vt. (AP) - Vermont teachers say poverty at home and parental involvement in schools are among the factors that affect student...

Enfield won't appeal graduation decision for now
Associated Press - June 15, 2010 2:44 PM ET ENFIELD, Conn. (AP) - The Enfield Board of Education has ruled out an immediate appeal of a decision barring high school graduations in a...

UMass' Catholic center gets new director
Associated Press - June 14, 2010 8:54 AM ET AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - The spiritual center for Catholics at the University of Massachusetts is getting a new leader.

Cathedral High School evacuated moments before Commencement

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – Cathedral High School was evacuated Friday morning due to a fire alarm.

Amherst teacher honored as state's teacher of year
Associated Press - June 11, 2010 11:44 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - An Amherst teacher of English to non-native speakers is the state's 2011 teacher of the year.

Kids labeled 'generation next' before they grow up

They aren't even out of grade school. But already, people are trying to name the youngest up-and-coming generation, and figure out who they might be and how they might be different from their predecessors.

Conn. school board to revote on church graduation
Associated Press - June 7, 2010 5:14 PM ET ENFIELD, Conn. (AP) - The Enfield Board of Education has scheduled a second vote on whether to appeal a federal judge's ruling that blocked the town...

Longmeadow Votes to Put Question on Ballot

Around 5:30 Tuesday night all ages filed into the high school as voters prepared to make one of the biggest decisions in the town of Longmeadow's history.

Vicki Kennedy to address high school commencement
Associated Press - June 2, 2010 8:24 AM ET HARWICH, Mass. (AP) - When officers of Harwich High School's Class of 2010 sent a letter to Victoria Reggie Kennedy asking her to speak at their...

Appeal set in Conn. graduation-church case
Associated Press - June 1, 2010 3:44 PM ET ENFIELD, Conn. (AP) - A lawyer says he will file an appeal on Wednesday challenging a federal judge's ruling that prohibits the Enfield school...

Handling of rape claim at Brown raises questions

William McCormick III crossed the wrought-iron gates of Brown University on a full scholarship, a champion wrestler from Wisconsin who expected four years at an Ivy League institution known for educating generations of...

MA reapplies for "Race to the Top" education money

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts Education officials have reapplied for federal "Race to the Top" grants with what they say is a "significantly stronger" proposal.

Ann Curry apologizes for mixing up her Wheatons

When "Today" show news anchor Ann Curry delivered the commencement speech at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, she named a list of distinguished alumni, including the Rev. Billy Graham, Wes Craven and Dennis Hastert.

Almost 3,000 Mass. seniors won't get diplomas
Associated Press - May 28, 2010 5:44 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - State education officials say nearly 3,000 high school seniors from across the state will not get their diplomas next month because they...

8-year-old urges Palmer School Committee to spare music program

PALMER, Mass. (WGGB) -- Music, art and library programs are on the budget chopping block for the school system, but a local 8-year-old girl is getting vocal to try to save them so she can enjoy them in the future.

Board of Education votes to close Robert Hughes Academy

MALDEN, Mass. (WGGB) – The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has voted to revoke the charter of Robert Hughes Academy in Springfield after the board took a second vote Monday. This vote will force the school to close at the end of the academic year.

Preschools in forests take root in the US

When they're outside, the children in Erin Kenny's class don't head for cover if it rains or snows. They stay right where they are - in a private five-acre forest. It's their classroom.

Easthampton votes to fund high school construction project

EASTHAMPTON, Mass (WGGB) - The people in Easthampton have spoken to give their town a new high school.

UMass Sustainable Move-Out

AMHERST, Mass. (WGGB) - The hours or studying for finals are over, the grades are in and the students are gone for the summer.

Mass. helping develop MCAS alternative
Associated Press - May 20, 2010 11:14 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - The state's education chief says Massachusetts is taking a lead role in developing a new multistate test that eventually could replace...

Ground is Broken for a New Putnam Vocational High School

Ground was broken on Monday for a new Putnam Vocational Technical High School in Springfield.

Easthampton to vote on building new high school

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB) -- Voters will be heading to the polls May 18 to decide the fate of a plan to construct a new Easthampton High School, which is something students and faculty at the existing building have said is needed.

SAT prep company stops claiming 255-point boost

Why don't most students' SAT scores dramatically improve the more times they take the test?

Northampton Superintendent to leave office
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB) – The Northampton Superintendent of Schools has announced that she will step down from her post after the 2010-2011 academic year.

States' budget woes hitting programs for kids hard

Now the crisis is reaching the children.

First lady tells George Washington U. grads: give

First lady Michelle Obama challenged George Washington University graduates at their commencement Sunday to "keep giving" through community service work and to "keep engaging" with the world.

$2 billion sought to overhaul ruined Haiti schools

The Inter-American Development Bank is seeking $2 billion to expand access to Haitian schools.

Subdued South Hadley School Committee meeting hears concerns

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- Following a series of meetings that have seen police removing citizens, calls for the resignations of school officials and even the involvement of the American Civil Liberties Union, Wednesday's School Committee meeting appeared controlled but still contentious.

Monson cutting music program to balance school budget

MONSON, Mass. (WGGB) -- Voters at Annual Town Meeting have approved a budget that includes cuts that will likely result in the loss of the middle and high school music program.

Report: Few Hispanic high school dropouts earn GED
A report released Thursday by the Pew Hispanic Center found that one in 10 Hispanic students who drop out of high school go on to earn a General Equivalency Development degree.

ACLU involved in South Hadley School Committee battle with parents group

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- The American Civil Liberties Union has become involved in a public battle between a group of parents and the South Hadley School Committee after a vocal parent was removed from a meeting.

Massachusetts Recruits Teachers for Underperforming Schools

Massachusetts is looking for the best teachers. It's part of the state's plan to turn around underperforming schools.

Study: Charter students benefit from longer days
Associated Press - May 12, 2010 6:04 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - A new report says students at Boston's charter schools do better academically than their peers in traditional schools because they spend...

Kagan's role against military recruitment studied

In a widely circulated 2003 memo, Harvard Law School dean Elena Kagan blasted the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gay soldiers as "a moral injustice of the first order."

Nation has high college remedial education rate

Professor Derron Bowen teaches high school math to college students, patiently chalking equations on the board on basic arithmetic topics such as the speed of a driver on a 20-hour trip.

South Hadley School Committee Meets after Raucous Previous Meeting

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- The School Committee met for the first time Wednesday since an explosive meeting where police escorted some residents from the room, but the meeting had a much more civil tone.

SJC rules against UMass-Lowell in dorm deal
Associated Press - May 10, 2010 11:44 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - The state's highest court has ruled that the University of Massachusetts at Lowell violated public construction bidding laws when it...

$1.5M in NASA education grants heading to Mass.
Associated Press - May 10, 2010 1:04 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts is set to receive $1.5 million in summer education grants from NASA to help inspire the next generation of astronauts and...

Mass. launches teacher recruitment effort
Associated Press - May 10, 2010 6:34 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - Education officials are launching a plan to recruit Massachusetts' top teachers to work at the state's worst schools in an effort to...

Lt. Gov. Murray talks bullying in Franklin County schools

GREENFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- After only a few days of having an anti-bullying law in Massachusetts, Lt. Gov. Tim Murray headed to three high schools in Franklin County to drive its message home to students.

Worcester school receives 1st charter
Associated Press - May 6, 2010 12:44 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - State education officials have granted a charter to a new Worcester school that will concentrate on teaching mathematics, science and...

WMass Catholic school announces plan to stay open
Associated Press - May 6, 2010 9:04 AM ET GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A Greenfield Catholic school in danger of closing if it cannot close a projected $200,000 budget deficit will eliminate the...

Conn. ACLU sues to stop graduations at church
Associated Press - May 5, 2010 1:14 PM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - The ACLU of Connecticut says it has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop the Enfield school district from holding its high...

Board approves plan to improves Mass. colleges
Associated Press - May 5, 2010 8:44 AM ET HOLYOKE, Mass. (AP) - The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education has approved a plan to change the way the state's public colleges and universities...

Court: Lowell can't fire teacher for English tests
Associated Press - May 4, 2010 1:44 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - The state's highest court has ruled Lowell school officials can't fire a teacher who failed two English fluency tests.

UMass presidential search committee to meet
Associated Press - May 2, 2010 4:04 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - The process to select a new president for the University of Massachusetts is getting started.

Draft of anti-bullying policy unveiled in South Hadley

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- The town's Anti-Bullying Task Force formed in the wake of the suicide of Phoebe Prince has been reviewing a draft of an anti-bullying policy designed to curb bullying within the district.

Power restored to two city schools after classes go on in the dark

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- Power has been restored to two city schools after classes went forward in the dark for two hours Tuesday morning following a large power outage in the city that started Monday.

Mass. Catholic schools welcome Haitian refugees
Floors cracked and walls collapsed in Christine Jennifer Delma's Port-au-Prince school when the catastrophic earthquake struck in January.

Greenfield Catholic school struggles to stay open
Associated Press - April 28, 2010 8:54 AM ET GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) - Officials at a Greenfield Catholic school say it is facing closure unless it can close a $100,000 budget gap.

Local students headed military academies

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WGGB) - On Sunday, nine Western Massachusetts students got the official word that about their academy appointments at Westover Air Reserve Base.

Chicopee High School Takes Pro-Active Anti-Bullying Approach

The Phoebe Prince tragedy has brought the school bullying issue front and center.

Police report 17 arrests at UConn
Associated Press - April 23, 2010 6:54 AM ET STORRS, Conn. (AP) - State and University of Connecticut police say 17 people were arrested during the first night of the annual Spring Weekend...

Take-your-kid-to-work day appears to lose steam

More than a decade after it began, take-your-kid-to-work day appears to be losing steam. Now it's keep-your-kid-in-school.

VT school to review bullying policy after assaults
Associated Press - April 22, 2010 5:35 AM ET SPRINGFIELD, Vt. (AP) - Springfield school officials are reviewing their policy on bullying after two alleged assaults at the high school.

Conn. governor candidates tackle higher ed funding
Associated Press - April 21, 2010 7:44 PM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut's gubernatorial candidates debating ways to make higher education more affordable have come up with ideas ranging...

Census says women equal to men in advanced degrees
Women are now just as likely as men to have completed college andto hold an advanced degree, part of an accelerating trend of educational gains that have shielded women from recent job losses. Yet they continue to lag behind...

School Committee Meeting Erupts in Debate

A South Hadley school committee meeting erupted in debate Wednesday night.

South Hadley School Board Head and Critic Trade Blows

In an interview with abc40 and Fox6, South Hadley school committee chair, Edward Boisselle challenged Darby O'Brien's contention that he is the Prince family spokesperson. Now Darby O'Brien is firing right back.

UVM wants to reduce size of tuition increase
Associated Press - April 13, 2010 7:25 AM ET BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - Administrators at the University of Vermont want to reduce the size of their proposed tuition increase for next year.

Charter School Appeals Decision

In January the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education revoked the charter of the Robert M. Hughes Academy in Springfield. The vote was 11 to 0.

Granby High Holds Anti-Bullying Workshop

GRANBY, Mass. (WGGB) -- Three short months ago, school administrators in the town of Granby watched as tragedy unfolded just miles away, and they're now working to prevent it in their community.

Lawyer: FBI investigating Mass. charter school

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - The FBI is investigating a Springfield charter school ordered closed by the state.

Local Educators Prepare for New Anti-Bullying Law

Local educators are getting ready for a new anti-bullying law that is on the verge of being passed in Massachusetts.

Source: Feds pick Delaware, Tenn. for ed grants
Associated Press - March 29, 2010 11:14 AM ET ATLANTA (AP) - A source says the U.S. Department of Education has picked Delaware and Tennessee for the first round of its "Race to the Top"...

Mass. schools for blind gear up for fencing match
Associated Press - March 28, 2010 1:44 PM ET WATERTOWN, Mass. (AP) - Students from two Boston-area schools for the blind are participating in a sporting event this week not usually associated...

Few details offered in sudden departure of school chief

AMHERST, Mass. (WGGB) -- The Amherst-Pelham Regional School District has severed ties with its superintendent after only eight months on the job under unclear circumstances, which drew a large crowd to a meeting Tuesday night.

Panel to conduct search for next UMass president
Associated Press - March 25, 2010 4:34 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - A search committee has been formed to help find the next president for the University of Massachusetts.

Congress takes aim at unhealthy school lunches
Kids will always grab pizza and dessert in the school lunch line, but those items may be healthier in coming school years if Democrats in Congress succeed in toughening rules governing the nation's school lunches.

Mass. students tops again in national reading test
Associated Press - March 24, 2010 1:34 PM ET MALDEN, Mass. (AP) - For third straight time, Massachusetts fourth and eighth graders have received the nation's highest reading scores in the...

Report: Conn. minorities' graduation rates are low
Associated Press - March 24, 2010 7:24 AM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan says the state's high school graduation rates for black and Hispanic...

Mass. ed group to push 'personalized' instruction
Associated Press - March 24, 2010 12:14 AM ET QUINCY, Mass. (AP) - The largest charitable organization that focuses exclusively on education in New England says it will begin promoting...

Could school bus ads save school budgets?

School districts have imposed all sorts of drastic cuts to save money during the down economy, canceling field trips and making parents pay for everything from tissues to sports transportation.

Conn looks to education to fight unemployment
Associated Press - March 17, 2010 3:24 PM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut lawmakers are pushing legislation that would subsidize higher education to help reduce unemployment.

Mass. to change college accountability standards
Associated Press - March 17, 2010 6:04 AM ET BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) - Massachusetts higher education officials plan to change the way the state's public colleges and universities measure and...

BC gets $20M gift to further Catholic education
Associated Press - March 16, 2010 12:14 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - Boston College has received a $20 million gift from the co-founder of a Massachusetts supermarket chain and his wife to help train...

Study: Grad rates between blacks, whites widening
A new study finds the disparity between graduation rates for white and black players on NCAA tournament-bound men's basketball teams grew this year.

Ed chief won't compromise Mass. academic standards

BOSTON (AP) - The state's education secretary says Massachusetts will not adopt new national academic standards if those federal benchmarks are found to be below the state's already established standards.

Seat belts on Conn. buses clears first hurdle
Associated Press - March 15, 2010 2:14 PM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A bill requiring Connecticut school buses to have seat belts has cleared its first legislative hurdle, but lawmakers say the...

VT to participate in pilot school supper program
Associated Press - March 15, 2010 1:25 PM ET MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Department of Education says the state has been chosen to be part of a pilot program that will provide supper for...

Springfield Mother Reacts to Anti-Bullying Bill

Sirdeaner Walker of Springfield says the State Senate's approval of an anti-bullying bill is a great first step in dealing with what she calls a national health crisis.

Massachusetts Senate Passes Anti-Bullying Legislation

BOSTON, Mass. (WGGB) -- The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously approved a bill designed to clamp down on school bullies.

Few details about ambitious KC school closing plan

Kansas City school officials promised Thursday to shut down nearly half the district's schools by the start of classes in the fall without offering details of how they intend to implement the complicated plan in just a...

Lesbian teen back at Miss. school after prom flap
An 18-year-old Mississippi lesbian student whose school district canceled her senior prom rather than allow her to escort her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo said she got some unfriendly looks from classmates when she...

DC Catholic schools chief heads to Boston College
Associated Press - March 11, 2010 10:24 AM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - The superintendent of the Archdiocese of Washington's schools says she is leaving the post for a position at Boston...

Mass. Senate to debate anti-bullying legislation
Associated Press - March 11, 2010 5:24 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts Senate is scheduled to debate a bill designed to clamp down on school bullies.

Ed chief: Agency to review equal access at schools
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Monday the federal government will become more vigilant to make sure students have equal access and opportunity to everything ranging from college prep classes to science and engineering...

At universities, is better learning a click away?

The students in Michael Dubson's physics class at the University of Colorado fell silent as a multiple choice question flashed on a screen, sending them scrambling for small white devices on their desks.

Mass. Senate set to vote on school nutrition bill
Associated Press - March 10, 2010 1:44 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts Senate is weighing a bill that would ban the sale of salty and sugary snacks as well as high-calorie sodas in public...

Westfield parents discuss anti-bullying measures with school board

WESTFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- In light of the recent suicide of a South Hadley High School student after she was allegedly bullied, parents in Westfield gathered to discuss a review of their school district's anti-bullying policies.

UMass admits mistake in mishandling of sex assault

AMHERST, Mass. (WGGB) -- A University of Massachusetts official has admitted the school has made a mistake in the way it handled a sexual assault accusation after it came to light the alleged attacker avoided significant penalties and was allowed to remain at the school.

Angry students protest cuts to schools, colleges

Anger over rising tuition and school budget cuts boiled over as students across the country staged rowdy demonstrations that led to clashes with police and the rush-hour shutdown of a major freeway in California.

Fred Swan, Acting Director at Robert Hughes Academy, Resigns

Monday night, the Robert Hughes Academy Charter School Board of Trustees unanimously accepted acting director Fred Swan's resignation, Swan maintaining his stepping down was not the result of three months of parental pressure.

Report: 25 percent of Conn. school buses unsafe
Associated Press - March 8, 2010 6:44 AM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman says the agency is trying to keep pressure on school bus companies with...

Mass. Senate to debate sweeping anti-bullying bill
Associated Press - March 6, 2010 12:34 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts schools would be required to take a tougher stand against classroom bullies under a bill set to be debated by the state...

Racist incidents, protests spread at UC campuses

A firestorm over racially and ethnically charged incidents at several University of California campuses spread Tuesday as UC San Diego announced a KKK-style hood was found on campus and students in Los Angeles and Irvine...

Anti-Bullying Legislation Makes Headway on Beacon Hill

The effort to pass anti-bullying legislation is gaining momentum on Beacon Hill. Proponents of the latest bill gathered in Boston on Thursday to rally for support.

Conn. lawmakers want say on tuition increases
Associated Press - March 4, 2010 12:44 PM ET HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Some Connecticut legislators say the General Assembly needs to know about tuition increases at state universities before...

Mass. identifies 35 underperforming schools
Associated Press - March 4, 2010 12:14 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts is giving 35 underperforming schools an ultimatum: Start making dramatic improvements or face a future takeover by the...

15 states, DC named 'Race to the Top' finalists
Associated Press - March 4, 2010 11:44 AM ET MIAMI (AP) - The U.S. Department of Education has named 16 finalists in the first round of its "Race to the Top" competition, which will deliver...

Efforts Underway to Drop the R-Word

There was an assembly at Westfield Voke on Wednesday. March 3rd was the Day of Awareness, and students bought T-shirts to support the effort.

Election weakens Texas ed board conservatives
The Texas state education board's influential Christian conservative bloc was weakened Wednesday after one of its most prominent members lost his seat to a moderate Republican. Another reliably conservative seat was headed...

Ex-teacher sentenced for Worcester assaults
Associated Press - March 3, 2010 8:24 AM ET WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A former teacher at a Worcester charter school already serving time for assaulting a student has been convicted of assault...

Universities push to get students in Census 2010
It was 5 p.m. in the lobby of the library of Metropolitan State University, and Clara Ware was sitting behind a table covered with pens, notepads and buttons with the Census 2010 logo, calling out like a sideshow barker.

Norovirus-like illness strikes Mass. college
Associated Press - March 2, 2010 8:54 AM ET FITCHBURG, Mass. (AP) - Fitchburg State College officials are trying to determine the cause of a norovirus-like illness that has sent about a dozen...

State Ways and Means Committee hears from locals at UMass on FY2011

AMHERST, Mass. (WGGB) -- Local leaders got a chance to give their input on the state's fiscal 2011 budget Monday at the University of Massachusetts during one of eight such hearings being held in the state.

17 states to fight dismal college completion rates
Associated Press - March 2, 2010 12:54 PM ET BOISE, Idaho (AP) - More than a dozen states have formed an alliance to battle dismal college completion rates and figure out how to get more...

Mass. high school dropout rate below 3 percent
Associated Press - March 2, 2010 11:44 AM ET MALDEN, Mass. (AP) - The high school dropout rate in Massachusetts has dropped below three percent for the first time in a decade.

Obama seeks money, interventions to stem dropouts

President Barack Obama on Monday addressed the nation's school dropout epidemic, proposing $900 million to states and school districts that agree to drastically change or even shutter their worst performing schools.

Head of embattled Springfield school steps down

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A convicted felon has stepped down from a key post at a Springfield charter school that is fighting a state order to shut down in the wake of a cheating scandal.

UMass president to step down in 2011
Associated Press - March 1, 2010 5:44 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - The president of the University of Massachusetts says he plans to step down in June 2011 after about eight years on the job.

First Anti-Bullying Task Force Meeting Draws Hundreds

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- Nearly six weeks after freshman Phoebe Prince took her own life, and one day after learning that her alleged bullies are no longer students at South Hadley High School, the Anti-Bullying Task Force convened for the first time.

South Hadley taking steps toward progress

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) – South Hadley is getting a helping hand as it tries to battle back against the bullies.

Worcester teacher guilty of student assault
Associated Press - February 19, 2010 5:54 AM ET WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A former teacher at a Worcester charter school has been sentenced to serve six months in jail after being found guilty of...

Mass. ed commish recommends 2 new charter schools
Associated Press - February 18, 2010 5:14 PM ET MALDEN, Mass. (AP) - The Massachusetts education chief plans to recommend approving two charters schools proposed in Lynn and Worcester.

UConn raises tuition nearly 6 percent for 2010-11
Associated Press - February 18, 2010 5:04 PM ET STORRS, Conn. (AP) - The University of Connecticut's board of trustees has voted to increase tuition for in-state students by about 5.7 percent...

Springfield charter school seeks to stay open

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - Lawyers for a Springfield charter school ordered closed by the state say they will seek an injunction that will allow the school to keep operating.

Christiane Amanpour to address Harvard grads
Associated Press - February 17, 2010 5:14 PM ET CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Christiane Amanpour is this year's Class Day speaker at Harvard University.

Springfield charter school seeks to stay open
Associated Press - February 17, 2010 9:04 AM ET SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - Lawyers for a Springfield charter school ordered closed by the state say they will seek an injunction that will allow...

South Hadley Selectboard Looks to Form Youth Commission

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- In the wake of a South Hadley High School student taking her own life after allegedly being bullied, the Board of Selectmen discussed Tuesday the formation of a Youth Commission to tackle the issue of bullying in the schools.

Haitian children begin enrolling in US schools

Some of the children arrived with no school records at all, some with only the clothes on their backs. A few still bear scrapes and bruises. All carry terrible memories.

Boston area colleges lag in minority faculty
Associated Press - February 16, 2010 6:04 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - Many prominent Boston area universities trail the nation as a whole when it comes to hiring minority faculty.

State Board of Education Votes to Revoke Charter of Robert Hughes Academy

The days of a controversial Springfield charter school may be numbered.

Vt. bill calls for school services consolidation
Associated Press - February 9, 2010 2:05 PM ET MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont's education commissioner says a bill that would consolidate services and curriculum in each supervisory union is a...

Souter to speak at Harvard's commencement
Associated Press - February 8, 2010 5:24 PM ET CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Harvard University says retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter will be the principal speaker at its spring...

South Hadley Bullies to be Disciplined

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- South Hadley school officials say bullies at the high school will be disciplined.

UMass celebrates expansion of learning space
Associated Press - February 7, 2010 6:44 PM ET AMHERST, Mass. (AP) - UMass is celebrating a major expansion of a high-tech study and research area in the Amherst campus' main library.

Vt., NH schools rank high for Peace Corps grads
Associated Press - February 7, 2010 12:44 PM ET CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Several schools in northern New England are among the colleges and universities that produced a high number of Peace Corps...

South Hadley High School Closes Investigation

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- South Hadley High School has concluded its investigation into allegations that Phoebe Prince was bullied relentlessly prior to her death last month.

Conn. students face $103 fine for swearing
Associated Press - February 5, 2010 11:34 AM ET WINDSOR, Conn. (AP) - The principal of a Connecticut High School is warning that students caught swearing could face $103 tickets issued by...

Latinos blast Boston schools, urge fund withheld
Associated Press - February 5, 2010 10:44 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - Latino groups are pressing U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to withhold possibly millions in funding to Boston schools until...

Expert Advises Parents on School Bullying

There is growing concern over the issue of school bullying following the suicide of South Hadley High School student Phoebe Prince.

GOP Chief Steele to deliver address at Harvard
Associated Press - February 3, 2010 1:44 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - GOP chairman Michael Steele is set to deliver a talk at Harvard University following last month's upset win by Republican Scott...

Patrick: Immigrant tuition bill won't pass in '10
Associated Press - February 3, 2010 11:24 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick says that a proposed bill to grant undocumented students in-state tuition rates "isn't going anywhere" this...

South Hadley Selectboard Fields Bullying Concerns at Meeting

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) – Parents expressed concerns and outrage at times during a Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday over bullying that allegedly resulted in the death of a freshmen at South Hadley High School.

Mass. Board of Higher Ed OKs public law school
Associated Press - February 2, 2010 11:34 AM ET BOSTON (AP) - The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education has approved a plan to create the state's first public law school.

Williams College takes moneysaving measures
Associated Press - February 2, 2010 10:44 AM ET WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. (AP) - Williams College, which two years ago eliminated students loans in financial aid packages, will reintroduce them for...

Parents, students on edge over soaring tuition

As students around the country anxiously wait for college acceptance letters, their parents are sweating the looming tuition bills at public universities.

Patrick to lawmakers: pass immigrant tuition bill
Associated Press - February 1, 2010 4:44 PM ET BOSTON (AP) - Gov. Deval Patrick says the Democratic-led Legislature - nervous going into an election year after Republican Scott Brown's U.S.

South Hadley parents fed up with bullies

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WGGB) -- One-by-one Wednesday night, parents stood up at the microphone. They recounted chilling tales of their children's encounters with bullies.

Public Policy Course Gives Students First-Hand Look at Community Issues

Sometimes the best learning is done outside of the classroom, no matter what level of education. That's why Amherst College offered a public policy course over winter break, that took students around Western Mass.

A new movement in learning comes to Hadley

HADLEY, Mass (WGGB) -- Starting in February, 25 area elementary-aged children will take part in a new learning experience.

Springfield College examining armed police force

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- Springfield College is looking into allowing its police force to carry firearms as the school looks to strengthen public safety on its campus.