Maryland Schools Insider - The latest on learning.

Posted at 12:19 PM ET, 11/05/2011

Volunteer in Africa? One cool way to study abroad in high school

By Michael Alison Chandler

Increasingly, high schoolers are going overseas to learn about a new culture or language, and shape their future goals.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 12:19 PM ET, 11/05/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:26 PM ET, 10/30/2011

Parent responds to freaking at the homecoming dance

By Michael Alison Chandler

Alison Edwards suggests that change is not futile and it’s not just “old fogies” unhappy with the status quo. Many students, too, were turned off by the overheated moves on the dance floor, she said.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 02:26 PM ET, 10/30/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:44 PM ET, 10/28/2011

New capital plan introduced for Montgomery Schools

By Michael Alison Chandler

The $1.5 billion building plan details renovations, maintenance and new construction through fiscal year 2018.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 06:44 PM ET, 10/28/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:10 PM ET, 10/27/2011

Anne Arundel elementary school closing early

By Maggie Fazeli Fard

Fort Smallwood Elementary School in Anne Arundel County will close at 12:30 p.m. due to a power outage.

By Maggie Fazeli Fard | 12:10 PM ET, 10/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 10/27/2011

The fine print of the Prince George’s Wallace foundation grant

By Robert Samuels

The $12.5 million given to Maryland’s second-largest school system by the Wallace Foundation is not guaranteed.

By Robert Samuels | 09:17 AM ET, 10/27/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:01 PM ET, 10/26/2011

First-time parent learns long term complaints of school system

By Robert Samuels

A Prince George’s County mother begins the journey of pushing for better public schools.

By Robert Samuels | 12:01 PM ET, 10/26/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:27 PM ET, 10/24/2011

Color Day cancelled next year for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

By Michael Alison Chandler

Principal Karen Lockard announced Monday that Color Day will be cancelled next year following an outbreak of hazing and drinking.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 05:27 PM ET, 10/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:49 PM ET, 10/24/2011

STEM education gaining steam

By Robert Samuels

President Obama has said that students must be inspired to be more innovative and declared that STEM education should be a priority, particularly for minority students. So now comes a deluge of events throughout Maryland.

By Robert Samuels | 12:49 PM ET, 10/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 10/24/2011

Teens getting too freaky at the homecoming dance?

By Michael Alison Chandler

Freaking. Grinding. Bumping. The Nasty. Whatever you call it, it can be an uncomfortable thing to witness at a school-sanctioned event.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 08:00 AM ET, 10/24/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:11 PM ET, 10/23/2011

Student with Down syndrome crowned homecoming king

By Michael Alison Chandler

Kevin Schombert, a student with Down Syndrome, was crowned homecoming king this weekend at Urbana High School in Frederick County.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 12:11 PM ET, 10/23/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:06 PM ET, 10/20/2011

Maryland seeks Race to the Top funds for early childhood education

By Michael Alison Chandler

The state’s education department applied for a piece of a competitive $500 million federal grant program to improve early learning opportunities for more children.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 02:06 PM ET, 10/20/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:39 PM ET, 10/19/2011

Amateur nitpickers send advice on lice

By Michael Alison Chandler

Lice remedies suggested by parents.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 01:39 PM ET, 10/19/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:40 PM ET, 10/18/2011

Maryland teachers to discuss new evaluations

By Michael Alison Chandler

Maryland teachers will have a chance to talk to top state education officials this weekend about controversial new evaluations under development.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 04:40 PM ET, 10/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:40 AM ET, 10/18/2011

Montgomery Co. teacher accused of choking students heads to court

By Washington Post staff

The Montgomery County teacher is accused of hitting and choking half of the students in her first-grade class.

By Washington Post staff | 08:40 AM ET, 10/18/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:00 PM ET, 10/17/2011

The most crowded schools in Prince George’s

By Robert Samuels

Here are the 10 most crowded schools in the Maryland county, based on what is called “state-rated capacity.”

By Robert Samuels | 02:00 PM ET, 10/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:12 AM ET, 10/17/2011

Question for Nitpickers: What’s the best way to eradicate lice?

By Michael Alison Chandler

We ask some Montgomery County professional nitpickers for advice on getting rid of -- or avoiding -- lice

By Michael Alison Chandler | 11:12 AM ET, 10/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:25 AM ET, 10/17/2011

Bank opens at Parkdale High

By

Nearly 125 students have opened accounts this month at the school’s Capital One branch.

By | 10:25 AM ET, 10/17/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:00 AM ET, 10/15/2011

Montgomery teens hear from new superintendent

By Michael Alison Chandler

By Michael Alison Chandler | 07:00 AM ET, 10/15/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:56 PM ET, 10/14/2011

Starr recommends boundary changes in Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Silver Spring

By Michael Alison Chandler

There are some proposals on the table in Montgomery County to mix around students and schools in a process commonly known as Dreaded Boundary Changes.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 07:56 PM ET, 10/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 10/14/2011

How to define middle schools

By Robert Samuels

County officials wonder whether more schools should include grade 6.

By Robert Samuels | 01:14 PM ET, 10/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:00 AM ET, 10/14/2011

SAT scores at most Montgomery County high schools above national average

By Michael Alison Chandler

Our school-by-school list shows 18 high schools above the national average and seven schools below.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 11:00 AM ET, 10/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 10/14/2011

Maryland superintendent search needs your help

By Michael Alison Chandler

Let the state Board of Education know what kind of schools chief Maryland needs.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 08:00 AM ET, 10/14/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 10/13/2011

Starr’s tweets highlight generational divide in school leadership

By Michael Alison Chandler

New Montgomery schools chief dives into social networking and a fresh way of communicating from the top.

By Michael Alison Chandler | 12:13 PM ET, 10/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:08 AM ET, 10/13/2011

Three things to watch on Prince George’s school budget

By Robert Samuels

Maryland’s second-largest school system confronts one of the toughest fiscal situations in the Washington area.

By Robert Samuels | 12:08 AM ET, 10/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:06 AM ET, 10/13/2011

Maryland Schools Insider: An intro

By Robert Samuels and Michael Alison Chandler

This blog is for you: frustrated student and involved parent, political honcho and local activist, education maven and unsuspecting Web surfer.

By Robert Samuels and Michael Alison Chandler | 12:06 AM ET, 10/13/2011 | Permalink | Comments ( 0)

Maryland Schools Insider: November, 2011