Today’s Tennessean reports that Tennessee “has a higher-than-average number of children who grow up in single-parent homes and spend their teen years not working or attending school.” This information (based on a report card from the non-profit organization, Kid’s Count) illustrates the mistake we made in earmarking lottery funds for college scholarships. Only when Pre-K, Primary & Secondary schools are palaces and GOOD teachers are paid six-figure salaries (merit-based performance evaluation is a must but should include an appeals process), should we begin funding college scholarships.

As part of his platform for next’s year election, Harold Ford is touting a new national education policy based on the idea that the “best long-term predictor of student achievement is the quality of education the kid gets from birth to five.” It’s something to keep an eye on.

House Republicans are cooking up a bill to expand opportunities in higher education — for student loan companies (TomPaine.com) - Last week, the House Education Committee passed a new version of the Higher Education Act, which sets the rules for college financial aid. The committee also passed up an opportunity to give students struggling to pay for college a helping hand. Read more…

This post was written by Mary Mancini