Community Conversation on School Choice, Vouchers, & Charters
I. NEW SCHOOL VOUCHERS STIR CONTROVERSY
Education
Private Colleges Opt Out of New Gun Law
On the first day of October, several new laws took effect in North Carolina, one of the most controversial of which loosened some restrictions on gun owners.
Dekle First Female President At An Iraqi University
Dawn Dekle has made a career out of running schools in conflict zones. She is the newest president of the American University of Iraq. Previously, she was provost of the American University of Afghanistan. Renee Montagne talks to Dekle about her unique work.
Diane Ravitch Rebukes Education Activists' 'Reign Of Error'
Former Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch spent years advocating for an overhaul of the American education system. Now she criticizes changes that she used to support, like charter schools and school choice. She explains her reasoning in Reign of Error, her new book on the pitfalls of privatizing education.
College Board 'Concerned' About Low SAT Scores
Roughly 6 in 10 college-bound high school students who took the SAT in 2013 performed poorly. The sponsor of the test wants to work with schools to help students do better, but some say the group is really concerned with trying to keep the test relevant.
In Push For 'Common' Standards, Many Parents Left Uneducated
The Common Core initiative would standardize academic goals nationwide. Forty-five states have signed on, but lawmakers in some states are rethinking their support. While both sides are stepping up their messaging, a poll out this month shows 62 percent of Americans have never heard of Common Core.
The Arts Based School in Winston-Salem Celebrates Expansion
A vacant tobacco warehouse in downtown Winston-Salem has been transformed into a new middle school.
Elon, High Point Universities Highly Rated by U.S. News
Elon University and High Point University have once again been highly rated by US News & World Report.
Just What The Doctor Ordered: Med Students Team With Chefs
Tulane medical students are trading in their scrubs for chefs whites. They've teamed up with culinary students at Johnson & Wales University as part of an innovative new program designed to teach both groups how good nutrition can help stave off lifestyle diseases.
University Of Alabama Moves To Integrate Greek System
White sorority members told the school's student newspaper they wanted to recruit at least two black candidates, but their names were removed before members could vote on them. University President Judy Bonner has ordered sororities to use an open bidding process, which allows them to add new members at any time.