NYS passes pension fraud bill to stop double-dipping with one year waiting period

See New School Pension Fraud bill is signed, NYT, 10/15/08, at A30

-school districts and public agencies must wait 1 year before hiring retired worker into same or similar position

-limits 211 waivers

MBA Applications Up in Tough Economic Times

See In tough times, MBA applications may be an economic indicator, NYT, 10/7/08, at 2.

In addition, more potential students are applying to online MBA programs in hopes of fighting the recession.

Federal Judge Restricts Teachers Wearing Obama Campaign Buttons in Classroom

See Judge says no to teachers' Obama campaign buttons, but yes to certain politicking, NYT, 10/18/08, at A20

-wearing political buttons in classroom denied, but could place campaign materials in mailboxes and hang posters on union bulletin boards if offlimits to students

More Schools Faltering Under Strictures of No Child Left Behind Act

Under No Child law, even solid schools falter, NYT, 10/13/08, at A1

-more schools failed to meet federal law's testing targets last year than ever before

Study Finds Cheating on Tests Prevalent Among High School Students

See Digging out roots of cheating in high school, NYT, 10/13/08, at A28

-study finds more than 90 percent cheated in some way as per 25000 HS grads b/w 2001 and 2008

-peer norms appear to be major cause, study finds honor code helps

-copying on tests and use of crib notes common

Rhode Island Passes Law Requiring Public Schools To Teach About Dating Violence

See Rhode Island schools required to teach about dating violence, AP, 10/5/08, at 1

-only Texas also mandates such training for middle and high school students

UFT and NYCDOE in New War over Excessed Teachers

See "UFT, DOE in New Battle over Unused Teachers", The Chief-Leader, 10/3/08, at 1

-DOE wants 1000 teachers in Absent Teacher Reserve removed from payroll after 1 year

NYC Teachers ordered to stop wearing Obama-Biden buttons

See Teachers get hit on the button, NYP, 10/2/08, at 2

NYC Teachers Will be Rated Based on Student Improvement on Standardized Tests

See Teachers to be measured based on students' standardized test scores, NYT, 10/2/08, at B3

-reports will not be a factor in tenure or annual rating process