Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
‘Healthier’ school lunch at what cost?
If the federal government gets its way, critics are warning, school lunches will be more expensive and less appetizing and ultimately will leave school districts footing the bill for costly food going down the garbage disposal. Published May 16, 2011
Uniform education standards seen timely
The push by states to implement a "common core" of standards by 2014 presents an opportunity to revamp student assessment methods and correct problems that have plagued the system for the past decade, according to researchers. Published May 16, 2011
Schools struggle to teach 9/11 to students too young to remember
The death of Osama bin Laden was the ultimate teachable moment, but it has left teachers, parents and educators scrambling to tell the story of Sept. 11 and the career of the world's most wanted terrorist to a new generation of schoolchildren — many of whom were not even born when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Published May 10, 2011
For-profit colleges defend their stature
These aren't your parents' colleges. There are typically no sprawling campuses, no fraternities or sororities, no students reading books under trees and no sports teams. Published May 4, 2011
Chamber pushes GOP-backed reforms for nation’s schools
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday called on Congress to speed up its efforts to reform federal education policy and released a broad outline of priorities it says are crucial to student success across the country. Published May 4, 2011
Spellings: Politics, lack of knowledge hurt school reform
Ten years ago, former President George W. Bush's signature education initiative, the No Child Left Behind Act, garnered strong bipartisan support and passed the Senate on an 87-10 vote. As Congress now starts work on a policy overhaul, that "planetary alignment" between the parties is nowhere to be found. Published May 2, 2011
States leaving feds behind on school reforms
A growing number of states are not waiting for the federal government's lead in overhauling education. This year alone, 36 states have either passed or are considering comprehensive legislation on school vouchers, tax credits and other reform measures. Published April 28, 2011
Report: States’ funding for pre-K taking hit
Preschool programs have become the victims of budget shortfalls across the nation, and the Obama administration's education point man said Monday he fears it's only going to get worse for the 1.3 million youngsters who benefit from them. Published April 26, 2011
‘Moribund’ Senate frustrates members of both parties
A few days after 10 of his colleagues wrapped up a trip to the Asian gambling hub Macau, Sen. Mark Kirk warned that the Senate has become "moribund" and is not doing enough to address the nation's many challenges. Published April 24, 2011
Preacher Franklin Graham warming to Trump
Donald Trump could be winning over a key constituency in the Republican Party: the religious right. Published April 24, 2011
Bloomberg: ‘I’m not running for president’
New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg vowed Sunday that he will not run for president next year. Published April 24, 2011
CEOs warn of subpar school standards
A group of top business leaders warned in a new report Thursday that U.S. schools have set a standard for their students that's too low and that subpar expectations put the country in danger of falling even further behind other nations in reading and math proficiency. Published April 21, 2011
Report: For-profit colleges ‘defraud’ students
For-profit colleges, already the target of Senate Democrats, took another beating in a report released Wednesday by an education trade publication that says such institutions "defraud" young people. Published April 20, 2011
Budget fight clouds science, tech research plans
With Democrats and Republicans still far apart on how to deal with the nation's debt and fiscal woes, a cloud of uncertainty has settled over the nation's scientific and technology research sectors over the size of their own budgets in the years to come. Published April 19, 2011
GOP senators may boycott hearing on for-profit schools
Next month's Senate hearing on for-profit colleges could be a one-party affair. Published April 18, 2011
Sales surge in specialty foods a sign of economic recovery
One more sign that the economy is picking up steam is coming from an aisle at the local grocery story. Published April 17, 2011
Walker defends budget decisions
Giving as well as he got, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Thursday traveled to Capitol Hill to defend his efforts to balance his state's budget by renegotiating public-worker contracts and eliminating most collective bargaining rights for many state employees. Published April 14, 2011
Students earning more credits; grades stagnate
The nation's high school students are earning more college credits on their path to graduation, but steady improvements in grade-point average have slowed in recent years, according to a major new survey from the National Center for Education Statistics. Published April 13, 2011
Education cuts coming, but fewer than GOP wanted
The final spending deal struck by the White House and congressional leaders spares the Education Department the deeper cuts sought by House Republicans, according to the agreement reached Friday. = Published April 12, 2011
Tony Blair: Do not underestimate Gadhafi
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair cautioned the international community against taking Col. Moammar Gadhafi lightly, as a delegation of African leaders arrived in Tripoli to try to start peace talks between the Libyan dictator and anti-government rebels. Published April 10, 2011
