Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
S. Korea leads way for paperless classroom
By 2015, the nation's schools will abandon traditional textbooks in favor of digital learning. Over the next four years, the nation's government will spend more than $2 billion to provide every student with a tablet and, in the process, become the first country in the world to go paperless in its schools. Published July 18, 2011
Durbin wants wider hacking probe
The No. 2 Democrat in the Senate on Sunday called for a congressional investigation into the phone-hacking scandal that has rocked Rupert Murdoch's media behemoth News Corp. Published July 17, 2011
Many states celebrate surpluses as Congress struggles with debt
As Washington stares at rising national debt and projected deficits for years to come, many states are faced with the opposite problem: whether to spend their budget surpluses and, if so, on what. Published July 17, 2011
Markets watcher: ‘Starting to get spooked’ over delay in debt deal
While Congress and the White House still have more than two weeks to raise the debt ceiling before the Treasury Department's early August deadline, the financial markets are getting jittery, fearing they won't reach a deal in time. Published July 17, 2011
GOP wants amendment for balanced budget
With the debt-limit deadline only 16 days away, congressional Republicans on Sunday reiterated their support for a balanced-budget amendment as the answer to the nation's fiscal woes. Published July 17, 2011
Culture of cheating breeding in schools across U.S.
Those sneaky students in the back of the classroom aren't the only cheaters. Teachers and school leaders are getting in on the scams by boosting test scores not through better instruction, but by erasing wrong answers, replacing them with the right ones and hoodwinking parents in the process. Published July 14, 2011
Schools bill advances over Democrats’ objections
Over fierce objections from Democrats, a key House panel Wednesday passed the third in a series of five reform bills aiming to lift restrictions on how school districts and states can use federal money. Published July 13, 2011
Rhee calls technology ‘equalizer’ for students
Shortly after taking the helm of D.C. Public Schools, Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee, as part of her efforts to modernize classrooms and incorporate digital learning, enacted a plan to put thousands of computers into schools across the District. Published July 12, 2011
Romney leads GOP hopefuls in fundraising
As expected, Mitt Romney is steamrolling all other GOP presidential hopefuls in the dash for cash, according to second-quarter fundraising reports trickling in. But the entire Republican field is pulling in less than it did in 2008, and the eventual nominee will almost certainly be left in the dust financially by President Obama, whose campaign is shooting to raise $1 billion or more. Published July 4, 2011
Future bright to NASA chief
Some fear this week's final space shuttle launch means the end of American dominance in space, but NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden thinks the future is bright and is promising that one day humans will set foot on Mars. Published July 3, 2011
GOP reaffirms stand against tax increase
Two top congressional Republicans reiterated Sunday that tax increases would not be a part of any debt-ceiling deal with President Obama. Published July 3, 2011
NASA head: U.S. will still lead despite shuttle’s end
Pushing back at the notion that next week's final space shuttle launch means the end of American dominance in space, NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden said Friday that the future is bright and promised that one day humans will land on Mars. Published July 1, 2011
Feds’ website enables college-tuition comparisons
Can't decide between that prestigious culinary school or the community college down the street? A new online tool created by the Department of Education could help students make that decision, with detailed price comparisons for colleges and universities of all types across the country. Published June 30, 2011
Studies: Diet soda may not be helping you keep weight down
Diet soda could ruin your diet. Published June 29, 2011
White House revives push for Dream Act
Administration officials are beginning to ratchet up the pressure on Congress to pass controversial immigration-reform measures, but critics fear the changes are already being made without lawmakers' consent. Published June 27, 2011
Bills outline game plan for education overhaul
Brushing off criticism that Congress is moving too slowly on education reform, a key House committee chairman said Thursday that he believes he can push a package of five reform bills through the House this year and end the "draconian" approach of the expiring No Child Left Behind Act. Published June 23, 2011
D.C. Hispanics trail U.S. peers in math, reading
Hispanic students are struggling to catch up to their white counterparts in reading and math proficiency, and Hispanic students in the District of Columbia suffer from the largest performance gap in the nation, according to a major new study being released Thursday. Published June 23, 2011
GOP rips plan for climate office
House Republicans charged Wednesday that the Obama administration is aiming to establish a "propaganda office" for Democratic initiatives on global warming through a proposal to consolidate operations in a new "climate service" office within the Commerce Department Published June 22, 2011
Young scientists highlight need
Across the country, teachers and scientists are facing a test tougher than any in the laboratory: How do they keep young students interested in science and engineering, especially at a time when many fear the nation is losing ground to China and other countries in cutting-edge technology and innovation? Published June 19, 2011
Gates confirms talks with Taliban
Outgoing Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates confirmed Sunday that the U.S. State Department is talking directly with the Taliban, but he poured cold water on the possibility that the talks would lead to a quick end to the war in Afghanistan. Published June 19, 2011
