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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
The federal government is pumping $245 million into the creation and expansion of public charter schools across the nation with hopes of helping students in low-income communities. (The Wall Street Journal)
Anne Holton, the wife of the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, has been out on the campaign trail in her own right. As the former secretary of education in the Commonwealth (a position that’s different from state education chief, more of an advisor to the governor), she has been an education ambassador of sorts for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign, stopping at child-care centers and chatting up teachers. (Education Week)
U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. today announced the 329 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2016. The award is based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. (U.S. Department of Education)
The share of people not making payments on their federal student loans within three years of them coming due has fallen, the Department of Education reported Wednesday. The national student loan default rate, 11.8 percent a year ago, stands at 11.3 percent. It is one of the most closely watched metrics in higher education because schools with default rates of 30 percent or more run the risk of losing access to federal student aid. (The Washington Post)