Education News

Governor Mitt Romney yesterday proposed taking advantage of newly developed $100 laptops and giving one to every student in public middle and high schools.

"It may look expensive, but, very frankly, it looks expensive because the state’s share of funding for schools has dropped 17 percent behind inflation over the past 10 years," he said. "That’s part of the problem. We need to act now."

I want to share with you my thoughts on several school related matters:

For the second consecutive year, the Journal also ranked BYU second for recruiting students with integrity. BYU finished behind Yale both times. The accounting school also moved up a spot from fifth last year to fourth this year.

"When we talk about the digital age and preparing kids for 21st Century skills, there are all types of skills, but by and large it’s the use of technology," Echols said. "Kids need that edge now. That doesn’t mean we throw all books away; it means we begin integrating."

The magazine notes that UM has one of the largest percentages of alumni who volunteer for the Peace Corps. It also spotlights "UM’s intriguing course" — the Wilderness and Civilization Studies Program, saying "Dig the outdoors? You’ll love this class, where students go on a 10-day backpacking and canoeing trip along the Missouri River!"

Americans strongly support public schools—69 percent of survey participants gave their local school an A or B rating.

King said that as governor, he envisioned Maine gaining an economic edge by becoming the most digitally literate state in the nation. He said his new foundation will work to promote that goal and encourage the state Legislature to continue funding technology in schools.

Becky Sweat drives 200 miles roundtrip several days a week from her home southeast of Broadus to Miles City, where she is a sophomore nursing student at Miles Community College.

A survey by Metropolitan Life found that 70 percent of employees above the age of 55 had some interest in starting a second career, Litow said. Other corporations are watching the pilot program with an eye toward offering similar programs for their employees, he added.