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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
In a dramatic conclusion to what has been described as the largest cheating scandal in the nation’s history, a jury here on Wednesday convicted 11 educators for their roles in a standardized test cheating scandal that tarnished a major school district’s reputation and raised broader questions about the role of high-stakes testing in American schools. (NY Times)
Threats against schools don’t just come written on bathroom walls these days. Spread using smartphone apps, social media and Internet phone services, anonymous reports of bombs or other threats of violence are forcing school evacuations and responses by police or other authorities. (The Columbus Dispatch)
The Oregon House of Representatives passed a $7.255 billion K-12 education budget Tuesday on a 35-25 party-line vote, with Republicans strongly opposed to the budget, which they said should be larger. (Statesman Journal)
Community members gathered outside of the Legislative Information Office in Anchorage Wednesday evening to protest proposed cuts to education funding. (Alaska Public Media)
New Jersey
KENILWORTH, N.J.—Gov. Chris Christie was confronted by multiple protesters during a town-hall meeting here Tuesday and undertook a long back-and-forth with a public-school teacher angry about his push to scale back pension and health benefits for state workers. (The Wall Street Journal)
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that this year’s budget was the hardest he’s ever negotiated because of opposition from the teachers union. (WNYC)