Public schools

April 22, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, released the following statement in response to the new regulations for No Child Left Behind announced by Margaret Spellings, the Secretary of Education.

Abandoned school, Indiana: Photo by Christopher Titzer (CC)

“The regulatory changes announced by Secretary Spellings include important improvements for implementing No Child Left Behind, even as Congress considers further reforms to the law.    » read more »

April 21, 2008 -- JACKSON, Mississippi - Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour today declared a state of emergency exists in the North Panola School District, authorizing the state Department of Education to take immediate corrective action.

“After reviewing documentation provided by the state Department of Education, I am convinced that existing conditions in the North Panola School District jeopardize the educational interests of the children enrolled there. My declaration of an emergency will give the department the authority to take immediate steps so the district can begin to recover from serious leadership and management deficiencies,” Governor Barbour said.    » read more »

April 19, 2008 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter issued the following statement today commemorating the ninth anniversary of the tragedy that occurred at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999:

"It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that we pause this weekend to remember what happened at Columbine High School nine years ago. My thoughts, sympathies and prayers will forever be with the families, victims, students, teachers and others who lost so much that terrible day.

Columbine Memorial, Littleton, Colorado: Photo by David Keyzer (CC)    » read more »

April 15, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today announced Florida’s participation in the American Diploma Project Network, a nationwide movement designed to improve preparation of high school students for the 21st century workforce. The Governor’s announcement came after discussing the benefits of participation with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

“Florida has a proven record of improving student performance across all grade levels,” Governor Crist said.“By working collaboratively with other states, we can maximize our efforts on behalf of our students.”    » read more »

April 14, 2008 -- (AUGUSTA)— Seven Maine school systems are being recognized by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for taking steps towards improved energy efficiency and reducing their carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to climate change. Friday, April 18th at Noon, Lewiston High School, East Avenue    » read more »

April 14, 2008 -- SANTA BARBARA -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced a 74-count felony indictment against a former Santa Maria-Bonita School District official and three executives from TurnKey, a Temecula-based company, for misappropriating $3.6 million in public money for schools.

A school construction site, California: Photo by Dave Piper (CC)    » read more »

More than 90 Lawyers May Have Been Involved in Fraudulent Employment Arrangements in More than 20 Upstate Counties and Long Island

ALBANY, NY (April 10, 2008) – New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that his Office has issued multiple subpoenas to lawyers and law firms in upstate counties as part of his rapidly expanding probe into potentially fraudulent employment arrangements between public school systems and lawyers.    » read more »