Stress test
New standardized tests have parents, educators worried about effects on students
On Tuesday, April 16, students in third to eighth grade across New York will sit down for the first day of standardized tests that adhere to the Common Core Standards. But it has been months now that parents and educators have worried pupils are being pushed too far with the sudden shift to more rigorous standards.
Cracking the Common Core
New York’s students will start taking new standardized tests this year in the name of improving performance. So why are kids expected to fail?
Students in third to eighth grade will face English language arts and math tests adhering to Common Core Standards, national standards that were developed by looking at what students should achieve to be prepared for college.
NYSUT calls out tax cap
Area legislators ask for increased state aid to schools
Public schools are in the budget limelight as local lawmakers call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to modify aid distributions guidelines, while at the same time the state’s largest teachers union is suing to challenge the constitutionality of the state tax cap law.
Saratoga schools updates lunch policy
The Saratoga Springs City School District has adopted a new school lunch policy after years of forgiving the debts of students who charged their lunches.
Elementary equations
Area educators decry lack of state aid, distribution inequality
Around 1,400 people on Thursday, Jan. 31, attended the regional event “Your Public Schools in Fiscal Peril — Running Out of Time and Options” featuring Statewide School Finance Consortium Executive Director Rick Timbs as the keynote speaker.
Panel talks gun safety
About 200 people braved a cold, bitter night on Thursday, Jan. 24, to converge upon Ballston Spa High School with one question in mind: How do we keep our kids safe in school?
Educators skeptical about Cuomo’s reforms
Area school administrators grade governor’s education proposals
Gov. Cuomo linked education to the economic recovery of the state and laid out several proposals to enhance the quality of the state’s public schools. Area school administrators say district funds are tapped and are wondering how initiative will be funded.
Club seeks to heal through music
High schoolers collect iPods to donate to Alzheimer’s patients
In a time when technology makes the generation gap seem larger than ever, a group of high school students are working to leverage modern gadgets to bridge that divide.
Let history take its course
Course will examine the archaeological record of biblical times
On Monday, Jan. 7, Steven Stark-Riemer will begin teaching “Archaeology and History of Ancient Israel.” The eight-session course will dive into the development of biblical archaeology by looking at several time periods and how events later affected the lives of the people who now live in the Middle East.
Voters OK Ballston Spa Projects
$8.9M bond will cover second phase of facilities renovations
An extensive facilities upgrade plan will be going ahead after Ballston Spa School District voters approved an $8.9 million referendum to fund the second phase of renovations to multiple district buildings.
History takes center stage
Home schooling experiment leads to young theater troupe
Ruth Henry was never a big fan of the subject of history. But when she decided to home school her three girls in 2003, she knew avoiding it just wasn’t an option.
Students learn how to save a life
CPR investment rolled out at Sand Creek Middle School
First Niagara invested $10,000 to donate 275 CPR Anytime kits to 20 schools in the Capital Region.
Totally tech
Elementary students visit TEC-SMART for day of hands-on learning
Kids from area schools took part in an Educational and Interactive Nanotechnology activities day at HVCC’s TEC-SMART Malta Campus on Thursday Oct. 4. From magic sand to polymer worms, they were engaged in activities with an educational component.
Planned Parenthood cleared for return to Shen
Group was banned from sex ed last year, abstinence advocates decry decision
On Tuesday, Aug. 28, the board adopted a Comprehensive Sexual Health Curriculum that clears the way for Planned Parenthood representatives to return to the classroom as guest speakers. That was a recommendation returned by the district’s Health Advisory Council.
Back to school for Shen students [photo gallery]
Students embarked on their first day back to schoolwith filled backpacks and smiles to boot at Karigon Elementary School in the Shenendehowa School District. Shen schools started back on Wednesday, September5.
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