Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Educators urge reduced federal role in schools
The federal government must reduce its footprint in education and give local school systems more flexibility to craft curricula and measure student performance, school leaders from across the country told a House committee hearing Thursday. Published April 7, 2011
Black bows out abruptly as NYC schools chief
Amid plummeting approval ratings, former publishing executive Cathie Black resigned Thursday as chancellor of New York City schools, one of the most high-profile posts in American education, after fewer than 100 days on the job. Published April 7, 2011
GAO hits programs for making teachers better
Shoddy oversight and a lack of reliable testing methods make it difficult to know which federal programs geared to improve teacher quality are working, U.S. Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro told a House hearing Wednesday. Published April 6, 2011
FDA approves safety of Pacific Ocean imports
Local restaurants and national food companies are feeling little effect from the ongoing crisis in Japan, and the Food and Drug Administration is assuring Americans that food imported from the Pacific Ocean is safe, though increased safety inspections have been put in place. Published April 5, 2011
GOP budget eyes Pell cuts
The popular federal Pell Grant tuition program, vastly expanded under President Obama, would take a big hit under the far-reaching fiscal 2012 Republican budget blueprint released Tuesday by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan. Published April 5, 2011
Democrats promise to fight Pell Grant cuts
Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, say they will fight any cuts in the federal Pell Grant program, for which spending has ballooned to the point that the Obama administration admits it can't be maintained. Published April 4, 2011
Bipartisan effort will revise the No Child Act
The clock is ticking on former President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. Published April 4, 2011
Chu stands by nuclear power despite Japan’s ongoing woes
Energy Secretary Steven Chu told reporters Friday that the United States cannot reject nuclear power because of the ongoing crisis in Japan, where workers are still fighting to keep reactors from melting down three weeks after the country was devastated by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Published April 1, 2011
In new survey, half say public schools worsen
Half of all Americans now say that the nation's public schools are getting worse, according to a new study released Thursday by United Way Worldwide. Published March 31, 2011
Report supports federal funding to train principals
More investment from the federal government into internship programs is critical to getting better principals in schools across the country, according to a new report released Wednesday by the nonprofit Wallace Foundation. Published March 30, 2011
