on the pension problem that Michigan has. The report says that the pension program is riddled with loopholes and crappy policies.

The article says Michigan is the only state in the USA that puts the burden of funding of pensions and health care on the schools itself. The bill per student this year is 1,015 bucks per student which comes to 17.74% of school district payroll. By 2020 it is supposed to grow to 30% of school district payroll.

Taxpayers whip out 2 million a year for some retired people that get lifetime health care.

The article includes graphics, audio, and a great interactive tool that showcases the rising costs of pensions for every school district.

This special report only showcases more reasons why the whole educational system in the state is in shambles. A massive, not cheap overhaul is going to have to take place.

have announced they want to gut the core of the NCLB which is the AYP goals.

been created with help from the Education Week people on the high school dropout problem.

The Washing Post looks at the local area and the article states that Margret Spellings says that half of the high school dropouts come from a small group of largely urban schools.

Prince George’s County schools reported a 90 percent graduation rate for 2003, but the new database only lists them at 67%. Montgomery schools on the other list a 93% graduation rate while the database lists an 82% graduation rate.

To help get to the database go here: http://maps.edweek.org/

IMO I hope this database has a much better calculation of the high school graduation rate. We do need one national way to calculate this number badly.

to report on college debt being racked up. The mainly look at students from North Dakota and Minnesota.

in California is supposed to make a decision today on weather to make disabled students have to take an exam in order to graduate from high school.

The Sacramento Bee reports on this high school student that sent out 13 college application and got accepted to all of them. He picked Harvard.