U.S. News Releases Latest Rankings of Public Schools

It may be assumed that segregation is no longer a significant problem for public schools throughout the United States. However, a recent study found that segregation is still very much alive and well in Maryland public schools. Despite efforts at the end of the last century to desegregate schools in the state, recent data suggests the efforts have come up short in ensuring an equal education quality for all Maryland students.

Educational Disparity in Maryland

The new research, which was compiled by the Civil Rights Project at UCLA, found that black students in Maryland attend public schools that are nearly as segregated today as they were during the desegregation efforts of the 1980s. Afro reports that during the 2010-2011 school year, more than half of all the African-American students attended schools with a strong majority of minority students. In addition, those schools had a much higher percentage of low-income students than schools that white students in the state primarily attended.

This video describes how over 5,000 teachers and educators signed up to march along with students and community leaders to push for more school funding in Annapolis, Maryland.

This discrepancy can lead to a serious disparity in educational quality. Schools with a high percentage of low-income and minority students tend to receive fewer resources and less experienced teachers than other schools in the area. At the same

New York City Schools: High Opt-Outs For Standardized Tests

Standardized testing has become commonplace in schools nationwide, but not everyone believes in using testing to evaluate school and student performance. This year, several schools nationwide are seeing a higher-than-usual number of students opting out of the test protocol. One area that has been hit hard with opt-outs in recent weeks is New York City Public Schools. How will the higher number of opt-outs impact students choosing not to test and the schools where they are enrolled?

Some Students Say No to Tests

The Village Voice reports that test weeks this year are seeing fewer student participants in New York City. The publication cites reports of opt-outs at 22 schools throughout the boroughs, although the precise number of students opting out at each school is still unknown. It does appear that 33 students at the city’s Earth School have submitted their intentions to opt out of testing, which would comprise a significant percentage of the student body at that small school.

Parents and students are complaining of excessive stress caused by the standardized tests. They also question using valuable classroom time and resources to prepare for tests rather than quality instruction. Teachers are also protesting, stating that using standardized tests to evaluate teachers and schools is inappropriate and inaccurate.

The opt-outs in New York follow a decision by teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington, not to administer the tests

Rigorous High School Gives Underprivileged Students Hope for Future

College is the future dream for many high school students, but that dream is more likely to become a reality for some students than others. Now, high school students in Newark have an option that can help them beat the odds and make that college dream a reality. Bard College has brought its proven track record of success to a Newark high school, offering students the chance to experience the rigors of college academics firsthand within the secure confines of a high school environment.

Bard High School Early College Newark

Bard High School Early College Newark (BHSEC Newark) is the latest in a series of college-based high schools created through Bard College. According to the BHSEC website, this school opened in 2011 as a partnership between the college and Newark Public Schools. BHSEC Newark offers a rigorous, college-level curriculum and traditional high school academics that prepare students for life after high school.

What makes the Newark school unique is its commitment to enrolling students from a diverse range of backgrounds, giving students the chance to excel academically who might not have the opportunity otherwise. Students come from all Newark neighborhoods, including disadvantaged areas like Newark’s West Ward, where drugs and shootings are almost a way of life for the young residents of the community. The New York Times reports that BHSEC Newark is positioned across the street from a tire shop

A new GED examination is coming to states nationwide, promising to better prepare students for the rigors of higher education or the 21st-century workforce. The update marks the largest change to the exam in its 70-year history, and not everyone is on board with the new product – or its higher price tag. Is the new GED a necessity to maintain a competitive workforce in America, or will it price some students right out of high school completion?

Need for Revamping

The Washington Post reports that the new GED examination is scheduled to be introduced on a national level in January 2014. The exam is currently in a pilot phase in select locations and has received positive reviews from many who have taken the new test. The test is designed to assess skills and knowledge that are more relevant to the 21^st century, including critical thinking skills, a deeper knowledge of mathematics, and basic computer literacy.

“The content has been aligned with the Common Core State Standards,” Tiffany Cowie, public information officer for the Florida Department of Education, stated in a report from the Gainesville Sun. “The new test will reflect the knowledge and skills required for current graduates.”

The current GED exam is available in English, French, and Spanish. It covers five test areas: writing, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies. According to the website for GED Testing Service, the new exam will cover four test areas: literacy, mathematics, social studies, and science.