Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Lawmakers, educators lament lack of interest in science
Claudia Cooper is the exception, not the rule. Published June 17, 2011
Obama proposes ‘Plan B’ for education reform
Some congressional leaders on Tuesday said they fear the Obama administration's "Plan B" education-reform proposal could be seen not as a call to action on Capitol Hill, but instead as an excuse for lawmakers to take the summer off. Published June 14, 2011
History still a mystery for 12th-graders
Younger students have made significant gains in their knowledge of history in recent years, but American high school seniors' grasp of the nation's past has shown virtually no improvement in the past two decades, according to a major new national survey. Published June 14, 2011
Duncan eyes waivers on NCLB rules
If Arne Duncan wants it done, he may have to do it himself. Published June 13, 2011
A year later, CUA chief Garvey settles in
A year after being tapped for one of the highest-profile posts in Catholic education, John Garvey isn't surprised by the political pressures and criticisms that have come with the job. In fact, the Catholic University of America president said some of that criticism is a welcome change from the type he's used to. Published June 9, 2011
GOP senators cut class on Hill hearing
Republicans made good on their threat to boycott Tuesday's Senate committee hearing on for-profit colleges, while Democrats appear intent on introducing legislation to rein in a sector of higher education they say leaves students heavily in debt but with very limited job prospects to show for it. Published June 7, 2011
GOP senators noncommittal on inquiry into college funds
Senate Republicans still haven't decided whether they will show up for Tuesday's hearing on for-profit colleges, the primary target of the Education Department's controversial "gainful employment" rule released last week. Published June 6, 2011
For-profit college regulation softer than anticipated
The Obama administration Thursday released its highly anticipated regulation for tougher oversight of private, for-profit colleges, saying the new rules were needed to protect students who were running up big tuition bills but getting few practical job skills. Published June 2, 2011
D.C. charter schools up by 1
Three of the District's charter schools will not reopen in the fall, yet when the new school year begins, D.C. still will have more than it does now — a point that advocates for charter schools say proves their worth. Published June 1, 2011
Twister-ravaged Joplin gets promise of aid
President Obama on Sunday visited the site of a "national tragedy" in Joplin, Mo., where residents continue picking up the pieces after the devastating May 22 tornado that left more than 130 people dead and dozens more unaccounted for. Published May 29, 2011
McConnell puts Medicare changes ‘on the table’
The GOP Senate leader says the Ryan Medicare plan is "on the table," but Democrats will have to agree to at least some cuts if there is going to be an agreement on controlling the country's staggering debt. Published May 29, 2011
Schumer tells GOP to forget Ryan budget plan
Sen. Charles E. Schumer on Sunday had some political advice for his Republican counterparts: Throw Rep. Paul D. Ryan overboard. Published May 29, 2011
McCain: Lack of full U.S. military commitment hurts Libyans
Sen. John McCain on Sunday said Libyan civilians are dying in large part because the Obama administration has refused to commit the full weight of the nation's military to the fight to overthrow strongman Col. Moammar Gadhafi. Published May 29, 2011
Report slams heavy focus on school testing
As Congress and the Obama administration weigh a major reform of education policy, the government should overhaul testing methods that have handcuffed teacher creativity and done little to boost student achievement, according to a new report from the National Research Council. Published May 26, 2011
Charter schools and for-profit colleges on rise
From grade school to college, nontraditional education is growing in popularity, according to a new study from the National Center for Education Statistics. Published May 26, 2011
Feds ready 3rd round of ‘Race to Top’ for schools
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is expected to announce Wednesday morning the third round of Race to the Top, which will include new rewards for states that improve their pre-kindergarten education programs. Published May 24, 2011
Locals cash in on natural gas boom in Pa.
Paul Battista opened his industrial supply store in the small town of Slovan, Pa., 31 years ago in the hopes of doing big business with the infant solar-power industry. Times have changed — and so has his customer base. Published May 23, 2011
‘Don’t frack with our water,’ say foes
"Don't frack with our water!" For those who see a darker side to the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling industry transforming these parts, that has become the new local rallying cry. Published May 22, 2011
Shale motherlode brings world of change
Big energy companies have set up shop to tap the Marcellus Shale, a massive chunk of marine sedimentary rock stretching from the Finger Lakes region of New York as far south as Kentucky and Tennessee, holding within its subterranean grip vast deposits of natural gas. Published May 22, 2011
Pa. intends ‘clear message’ with fine
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday levied the largest fine in state history against an oil or gas company, sending what it called a "clear message" to Chesapeake Energy after several recent violations. Published May 17, 2011
