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Education

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Politico: Senate No Child Left Behind Amendments ‘Hashed Out Behind Closed Doors By Democrats’ Over Civil Rights Issue

It’s worth noting that in the half-century since the ESEA was passed as part of Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” billions of dollars have been spent – by both Democrat and Republican administrations – on education and so-called “helpful” programs for “disadvantaged” children, and yet Democrats are still fighting for more federal control and federal programs and subsidies in order to “close the achievement gap.”

AP Photo/Jessie L. Bonner

No Child Left Behind Rewrites in House and Senate Draw Intense Criticism From Grassroots

The House’s version of the redo, known as the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), was pulled from the House floor by GOP leadership in late February after it was determined the measure lacked sufficient support. Grassroots parents’ groups – many that have been fighting against the Common Core standards in their states – voiced their concerns that the Student Success Act still required excessive federal intrusion into the right of states to set their own education policies.

UCBERK

Sexual Assault Survivors Sue UC Berkeley

Three victims of sexual assault are suing the University of California Berkeley and the University of California Board of Regents for allegedly failing to properly prevent, investigate and handle sexual assaults that reportedly took place while they were taking classes at the school.

Common Core

Walker Defunds Smarter Balanced Test, But Replacement Exam Also Aligned With Common Core

Walker, a likely 2016 contender, has recently affirmed what has been true of Wisconsin school districts all along – that they can choose their own standards. To his credit, he has also proposed defunding the Smarter Balanced test, a product of one of the federally funded, interstate Common Core test consortia. Grassroots parents groups, however, say Walker’s proposed new state exam – called the “Badger Exam,” is also aligned with the Common Core standards.

Vaccine (Joe Raedle / Getty)

Vaccine Mandate, SB 277, Passes California Assembly

On Thursday, the California State Assembly passed the SB 277, which mandates child vaccinations as a condition of private and public school enrollment, by a vote of 46-30. Democrats and Republicans were divided within their own parties over the bill, which ultimately passed with bipartisan support. Due to amendments, however, the bill was immediately ordered back to the State Senate, where it previously passed.

AP Photo/Dave Martin

Southern Universities Attack Their Own Heritage

Debate over Confederate symbols continues to intensify in Southern states, with public universities in the middle of the controversy in South Carolina, Texas and Mississippi. University leaders are speaking out against the use of Confederate symbols — although not always fast enough to satisfy some students and civil rights leaders.