Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Police to use social media to thwart flash mobs
Law enforcement officials plan to use a combination of tried-and-true tactics such as curfews and newer techniques such as monitoring social media websites to fight the latest criminal phenomenon: flash mobs. Published August 17, 2011
Scores show students aren’t ready for college
Three out of four high school graduates aren't fully prepared for college and likely need to take at least one remedial class, according to the latest annual survey from the nonprofit testing organization ACT. Published August 17, 2011
Lenders’ fears could raise interest on student loans
As if rising tuition costs weren't enough, many college students could soon face higher interest rates on their student loans, another potential aftershock of last week's U.S. credit downgrade by Standard & Poor's. Published August 11, 2011
Schools mislead parents by dumbing down meaning of ‘proficient’
"Proficient" is relative. Under current law, states set their own benchmarks for student proficiency, but those bars are often far below the standards used by the federal government. Published August 10, 2011
Feds fault state education guidelines
Across the country, student performance on standardized reading and math tests is worse than most states lead parents to believe, according to a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics, an arm of the federal Education Department. Published August 10, 2011
States rush to leave No Child law behind
States are rushing for the No Child Left Behind exit door. Published August 9, 2011
Duncan ready to use waivers to evade NCLB
Education Secretary Arne Duncan had harsh words for Congress on Monday, calling it "dysfunctional" as he announced plans to bypass lawmakers and implement sweeping education reform through a waiver system for states. Published August 8, 2011
Duncan scolds Congress, announces bypass plan
Education Secretary Arne Duncan had harsh words for Congress on Monday, calling it "dysfunctional" and announcing plans to bypass lawmakers and institute sweeping education reform through a waiver system for states. Published August 8, 2011
Democrats seek to pin credit downgrade on tea party
While continuing to cast doubt on the credibility of Standard & Poor's, several Democrats on Sunday said there is an even greater culprit in the downgrade of the nation's credit rating: the tea party. Published August 7, 2011
Kerry blames the tea party for credit downgrade
Sen. John Kerry on Sunday laid the blame for the recent downgrade of the nation's credit rating at the feet of conservative House Republicans. Published August 7, 2011
Budget chairman dubious of ‘supercommittee’
Rep. Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, expressed skepticism Sunday morning that the so-called "supercommittee" charged with finding trillions of dollars in debt reduction will accomplish its goal. Published August 7, 2011
Teachers can’t ‘friend’ students in Missouri
Missouri students will soon be unfriended by their teachers. Under a new law that takes effect Aug. 28, teachers in the Show-Me State will no longer be able to "friend" students on popular social networking sites like Facebook. Instructors can still set up public pages or groups to post homework assignments or share resources, but individual friendships or communication will be illegal. Published August 4, 2011
UNVA students fear worst after raid
Students at the University of Northern Virginia say they are increasingly worried the school will close its doors forever after a raid by federal officials last week, but university officials said Wednesday they're open for business and cooperating with investigators. Published August 3, 2011
Schools scramble to stop cheating scandals
In the wake of school cheating scandals across the country, several states are racing to implement new testing protocols before classes resume. Published August 2, 2011
Dropout grants raise issue of college’s value
Christopher Rueth blew off college for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a $100,000 grant to work on wireless Internet technology. Published August 1, 2011
Maine studies 5-year high school program
High school may seem like the longest four years of a teenager's life. For students in Maine, it soon could be even longer. Published August 1, 2011
Duncan cites Pell Grants in 13.3% budget rise
With the attention of lawmakers focused squarely on reducing the nation's debt, Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Wednesday defended his department's request for a budget increase in fiscal 2012. Published July 27, 2011
Duncan seeks more education money in a belt-tightening time
With the attention of the lawmakers focused squarely on reducing the nation's debt, Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Wednesday defended his department's request for a budget increase in fiscal year 2012. Published July 27, 2011
14 states slow to ask for federal rewards for pre-K upgrades
Fourteen states are still undecided about applying for the Obama administration's $500 million Early Learning Challenge, a grant program that will reward states for improvements to prekindergarten education. Published July 24, 2011
Colleges raise tuition as much as 22 percent
Parents and students are bracing for a new round of sticker shock this fall as public colleges and universities are hiking prices again, this time to make up for massive cuts in state budgets. Published July 20, 2011