Educators around here are tired of the state telling them what to do—especially when it involves spending $. Municipal and county officials are tired of the same thing. And businesspeople think it’s bad for everyone. So all three groups announced today—at a press conference right here in the building where… Read More →
The polls are open for a few more hours and many school officials are probably biting their nails. LoHud.com will have the results as soon as they’re available. The great majority of school district budgets have been supported by voters in recent years, but this is always a nerve-wracking time… Read More →
U.S. News & World Report has released its most recent list of best high schools in New York. Rockland, Putnam and Westchester high schools account for 15 of the first 100 top schools. Here are the local rankings for the first 100 schools. The full list can be found at… Read More →
Indiana has become the first state to “pause” its implementation of the national Common Core learning standards. On Saturday, Gov. Mike Pence signed legislation that requires public hearings about the Core and an analysis of the costs of implementation—a key concern of educators in New York. Pence says: “I have… Read More →
A high school English teacher from Delaware County had a column this week in the Syracuse Post-Standard about not being allowed to discuss the new state tests. Gretchen Dandrea Blynt writes: “Our country is purporting to be on a mission to reform it public education system. I’ve heard the phrase,... Read More →
The Washington Post’s “Answer Sheet” education blog has an essay today from a 14-year-old Ossining student named Isaiah Schrader. Isaiah, an eighth-grader at Anne M. Dorner Middle School in Ossining, writes about his experience taking the state ELA test a couple of weeks ago. (That’s him last October receiving an… Read More →
Some 28 local high school students have won $2,500 National Merit scholarships based on test scores, academic record, school leadership and contributions, an essay, a recommendation and community activities. The 28 were among 153 statewide and 2,500 students nationwide named National Merit scholarship winners of more than 15,000 finalists. They… Read More →
Daniel Ian Hoffman of Chappaqua, a student at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, has been named one of 141 Presidential Scholars—a high honor for high school seniors. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by executive order of the POTUS. The designation is based on SAT/ACT scores and… Read More →
Don Larkin, student activities coordinator at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, is the first faculty member of the school’s faculty to reach the 50-year mark. The school has created a scholarship in his name to honor him for his commitment to the facility. “Don Larkin is uniquely qualified… Read More →
A half century. That’s how long Don Larkin has been working at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains. He started as a language teacher and later coached basketball and soccer before become athletic director. Today he is student activities coordinator. And the first Stepinac faculty member to reach 50… Read More →
Voting ends today at 3 p.m. for the annual “Top Teacher ” award on Live! with Kelly and Michael, meaning you’re running out of time to support Ann Marie Rooney, a special ed teacher from New Rochelle. You can see a video about her (and the five other finalists) and… Read More →
We just got this in from the Associated Press. In case anybody was wondering if the state would permit Buffalo et al to secretly agree with the unions not to use the new tests for APPR. BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — New York state education officials have declared void an agreement… Read More →
Connecticut is rolling out a new online practice test shortly on Common Core math and ELA as well as a new paper test as part of a pilot program to include Common Core in state testing protocols. The Connecticut educators aren’t happy, according to a news story by Eileen FitzGerald,... Read More →
Seven local students have been awarded corporate scholarships based on their showing in the 58th annual National Merit Scholarship program. This is the first of several award announcements the organization will make, with about 8,000 academic champions winning more than a$35 million in scholarships all told. The students in this… Read More →
There are two spots up for grabs on the Pocantico Hills Board of Education at the May 21 budget vote, and two people running. Incumbents Emily Segal and Fred Rickles were the only candidates to return petitions to the school clerk, so they will be running uncontested for the volunteer… Read More →