Education http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1013&ft=1&f=1013 NPR news and commentary on education, schools, colleges and universities, and emerging trends in learning. Listen to audio and subscribe to RSS feeds. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Sat, 25 May 2013 05:55:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Education http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1013&ft=1&f=1013 War Of Words: France Debates Teaching Courses In English The French Parliament is at odds over a measure that allows French universities to teach in English. Those in favor say it will help attract more international students, while opponents fear it will marginalize the French language. Sat, 25 May 2013 05:55:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/25/186540645/war-of-words-france-debates-teaching-courses-in-english?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/25/186540645/war-of-words-france-debates-teaching-courses-in-english?ft=1&f=1013 The French Parliament is at odds over a measure that allows French universities to teach in English. Those in favor say it will help attract more international students, while opponents fear it will marginalize the French language.

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]]> Being Blind To Financial Need: Is It Worth It? Millions of students rely on loans and grants for their studies. But with universities strapped for cash, fewer schools are able to admit students regardless of their financial need. Host Michel Martin asks the President of Iowa's Grinnell College, Dr. Raynard Kington, why his school considered putting a halt to need-blind admissions. Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186262927&ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186262927&ft=1&f=1013 Millions of students rely on loans and grants for their studies. But with universities strapped for cash, fewer schools are able to admit students regardless of their financial need. Host Michel Martin asks the President of Iowa's Grinnell College, Dr. Raynard Kington, why his school considered putting a halt to need-blind admissions.

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]]> HBCU President Asks Dr. Dre, Why Not Us? Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine recently donated $70 million to the University of Southern California. Many people are applauding their generosity, but some aren't so happy. Host Michel Martin speaks with Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University, about why he thinks an HBCU should have gotten the money. Thu, 23 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186262929/hbcu-president-asks-dr-dre-why-not-us?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186262929/hbcu-president-asks-dr-dre-why-not-us?ft=1&f=1013 Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine recently donated $70 million to the University of Southern California. Many people are applauding their generosity, but some aren't so happy. Host Michel Martin speaks with Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University, about why he thinks an HBCU should have gotten the money.

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]]> Losers In Chicago School Closings Target Elected Officials The Chicago school board voted to close dozens of schools, despite community protests that the closings disproportionately affect minority students. Now the teachers union and community activists want to change the system and oust the elected officials who disagreed with them. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195961/disappointed-by-school-closing-vote-union-targets-elected-officials?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195961/disappointed-by-school-closing-vote-union-targets-elected-officials?ft=1&f=1013 The Chicago school board voted to close dozens of schools, despite community protests that the closings disproportionately affect minority students. Now the teachers union and community activists want to change the system and oust the elected officials who disagreed with them.

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]]> College Students Wait To See If Loan Rates Double College students could end up paying a higher interest rate on their government subsidized loans unless Congress steps in. In a replay of last year's battle, Republicans, Democrats and the Obama administration all have competing proposals. A vote is scheduled in the House of Representatives Thursday. But with no consensus in sight, it's not clear if lawmakers can keep interest rates from doubling on July 1. Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195963/college-students-eye-calendar-wait-to-see-if-loan-rates-double?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/23/186195963/college-students-eye-calendar-wait-to-see-if-loan-rates-double?ft=1&f=1013 College students could end up paying a higher interest rate on their government subsidized loans unless Congress steps in. In a replay of last year's battle, Republicans, Democrats and the Obama administration all have competing proposals. A vote is scheduled in the House of Representatives Thursday. But with no consensus in sight, it's not clear if lawmakers can keep interest rates from doubling on July 1.

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]]> Sandy Hook's Future: What's To Become Of The School? It's been over five months since the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. And there have been plenty of opinions about what should be done with the school building. Host Michel Martin speaks with Rich Harwood about the emotional decision-making process. Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186023462&ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=186023462&ft=1&f=1013 It's been over five months since the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. And there have been plenty of opinions about what should be done with the school building. Host Michel Martin speaks with Rich Harwood about the emotional decision-making process.

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]]> Nutrition Group Says Chocolate Milk Is OK, No Need For Aspartame The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools. Tue, 21 May 2013 17:09:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185835001/nutrition-group-says-chocolate-milk-is-ok-no-need-for-aspartame?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/21/185835001/nutrition-group-says-chocolate-milk-is-ok-no-need-for-aspartame?ft=1&f=1013 The nation's largest group of nutritionists is urging the FDA to reject the dairy industry's petition to change the definition of milk. The petition aims to allow aspartame or other alternatives to be used to sweeten milk in an effort to boost consumption in schools.

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]]> Mont. One-Room School House Boasts International Diversity Melissa Block talks to teacher Shelly Hoisington. Hoisington teaches fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade at McCormick Elementary School — a one-room school in Troy, Mont. Hoisington recently convinced Gov. Steve Bullock to speak at the graduation ceremony for the five students in eighth grade. Mon, 20 May 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185596302/mont-one-room-school-house-boasts-international-diversity?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185596302/mont-one-room-school-house-boasts-international-diversity?ft=1&f=1013 Melissa Block talks to teacher Shelly Hoisington. Hoisington teaches fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade at McCormick Elementary School — a one-room school in Troy, Mont. Hoisington recently convinced Gov. Steve Bullock to speak at the graduation ceremony for the five students in eighth grade.

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]]> Growing Vegetables From Seeds Takes Root For Many Gardeners More and more gardeners are bypassing the local nursery and instead starting their veggies from seed. Seeds are often cheaper, and they give growers a bigger choice of varieties. At a community garden in Venice, Calif., students learn the ins and outs of gardening from scratch. Mon, 20 May 2013 04:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185432935/seeds-are-an-economical-choice-for-vegetable-gardeners?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185432935/seeds-are-an-economical-choice-for-vegetable-gardeners?ft=1&f=1013 More and more gardeners are bypassing the local nursery and instead starting their veggies from seed. Seeds are often cheaper, and they give growers a bigger choice of varieties. At a community garden in Venice, Calif., students learn the ins and outs of gardening from scratch.

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]]> Ivy Leaguers Broaden Minds With New Race Center Tricia Rose is known as a hip-hop scholar and professor of Africana studies. She's now taking on a new project at Brown University, and hoping it sparks new questions about race and ethnicity. Host Michel Martin speaks with Rose about her vision. Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184498466&ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=184498466&ft=1&f=1013 Tricia Rose is known as a hip-hop scholar and professor of Africana studies. She's now taking on a new project at Brown University, and hoping it sparks new questions about race and ethnicity. Host Michel Martin speaks with Rose about her vision.

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]]> Hiring Julie Hermann, Rutgers Seeks A New Era In Athletics Rutgers University welcomes the arrival of new athletic director Julie Hermann as the beginning of a new era, weeks after turmoil engulfed its athletics department. The school's basketball coach was fired last month after videos showed that he verbally and physically abused players during practice. Thu, 16 May 2013 09:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/16/184455764/hiring-julie-hermann-rutgers-seeks-a-new-era-in-athletics?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/16/184455764/hiring-julie-hermann-rutgers-seeks-a-new-era-in-athletics?ft=1&f=1013 Rutgers University welcomes the arrival of new athletic director Julie Hermann as the beginning of a new era, weeks after turmoil engulfed its athletics department. The school's basketball coach was fired last month after videos showed that he verbally and physically abused players during practice.

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]]> LA Schools Throw Out Suspensions For 'Willful Defiance' Students deemed "willfully defiant" accounted for nearly half of California's 700,000 suspensions last year. Many educators are cheering the Los Angeles Unified School District's decision to ban such suspensions, arguing the category is too broad and disproportionately targeted black students. Wed, 15 May 2013 17:31:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184195877/l-a-schools-throw-out-suspensions-for-willful-defiance?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/184195877/l-a-schools-throw-out-suspensions-for-willful-defiance?ft=1&f=1013 Students deemed "willfully defiant" accounted for nearly half of California's 700,000 suspensions last year. Many educators are cheering the Los Angeles Unified School District's decision to ban such suspensions, arguing the category is too broad and disproportionately targeted black students.

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]]> Publisher Threatens Librarian With $1 Billion Lawsuit A scholarly publisher has issued a warning to Jeffrey Beall, a Colorado librarian who writes about what he calls "predatory" practices in the journal industry, threatening him with a $1 billion lawsuit for his blog posts about the company. The publisher, based in India, says he could also face jail time. Wed, 15 May 2013 14:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/15/184233141/publisher-threatens-librarian-with-1-billion-lawsuit?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/15/184233141/publisher-threatens-librarian-with-1-billion-lawsuit?ft=1&f=1013 A scholarly publisher has issued a warning to Jeffrey Beall, a Colorado librarian who writes about what he calls "predatory" practices in the journal industry, threatening him with a $1 billion lawsuit for his blog posts about the company. The publisher, based in India, says he could also face jail time.

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]]> Utah Charter School Nurtures Entrepreneurial Spirit A new charter school in Utah wants to equip students in kindergarten through ninth grade with a solid foundation in business. The principal insists it's not just a pint-sized business school. The goal is to give kids a well-rounded education that is also applicable in the real world. Wed, 15 May 2013 03:35:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/183914596/utah-charter-school-nurtures-entrepreneurial-spirit?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/15/183914596/utah-charter-school-nurtures-entrepreneurial-spirit?ft=1&f=1013 A new charter school in Utah wants to equip students in kindergarten through ninth grade with a solid foundation in business. The principal insists it's not just a pint-sized business school. The goal is to give kids a well-rounded education that is also applicable in the real world.

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]]> Latino High School Grads Enter College At Record Rate Latinos are entering colleges and universities at higher rates than whites and blacks but still lower than Asian-Americans. This is an all-time high for Latinos, according to a recent Pew Hispanic Center report. It's the result, in part, of a dramatic rise in the graduation rate among Hispanic high school students. Tue, 14 May 2013 04:44:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/05/14/183813129/Latino-High-School-Grads-Enter-College-At-Record-Rate?ft=1&f=1013 http://www.npr.org/blogs/codeswitch/2013/05/14/183813129/Latino-High-School-Grads-Enter-College-At-Record-Rate?ft=1&f=1013 Latinos are entering colleges and universities at higher rates than whites and blacks but still lower than Asian-Americans. This is an all-time high for Latinos, according to a recent Pew Hispanic Center report. It's the result, in part, of a dramatic rise in the graduation rate among Hispanic high school students.

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