Department of Health and Human Services Encourages States to Apply for Safe Schools/Healthy Students Grants

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for the FY 2013 Safe Schools/Healthy Students State Planning, Local Education Agency, and Local Community Cooperative Agreements. more

Registration Now Open for 2013 CCSSO Summer Institute

CCSSO’s 2013 Summer Institute, Leading toward State Education Agencies of the Future, will provide chiefs and deputies with an exciting opportunity to engage in shared learning. more

State Chiefs: Common Core Requires Flexibility, Not a Pause

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) has said the states have all the power they need to smooth out the transition between No Child Left Behind and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). more

In the U.S., 21st Century Skills Linked to Work Success

A survey of 1,014 young adults ages 18 to 35 who are either employed or students reveals that those who developed 21st century skills in their last year of school are more likely to self-report higher work quality. more

Teachers Gear Up for Science Standards

The Next Generation Science Standards were finalized in April, and teachers across the United States have been working to integrate them into classroom instruction. more

Q&A: NY Education Commissioner on New Curriculum Standards

New York Education Commissioner John King, Jr., stands behind the state's adoption of the Common Core State Standards as a means of improving academic standards and raising graduation requirements. more

State, Local Schools See Increase in State Writing Scores

Data released by the Nebraska Department of Education show that writing test scores for the state's eighth- and 11th-graders improved this year. The department publicly released the writing test scores as part of the Nebraska State Accountability Writing Assessment (NeSA). more

Luna Talks About Core Standards and Its Future

Idaho Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna says, "Our goal is that by 2016 we want 60 percent of our adult population in Idaho to have some form of post high school degree of certification. Today that number is 34 percent." more

California State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Encourages Taking an Early Look at New, Online Smarter Balanced Practice Tests

California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson says students, educators, and parents should check out the Smarter Balanced Practice Tests (available here) to acquaint themselves with the computer-based assessments that will be taken by students in the 2014-15 school year. more