Education

Illinois is getting almost $35 million of federal aid for early childhood education. The Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant is funding a website informing parents of the quality of school programs in an effort to help them find the best place that matches their children’s needs. The money is also going toward professional development for early-childhood teachers, investments in efficiency, streamlining program administration and data systems and program evaluations.

The state Board of Education has approved its legislative priorities for the 2013 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, and among the issues that will go before lawmakers is raising the school dropout age to 18.

The Webster County Board of Education has delayed the construction timeline for its new junior high school by one year. The school was set to open for the 2013-2014 school year. But Superintendent James Kemp says the pre-construction paperwork is taking longer than anticipated.

Some Kentucky board of education members are asking if the state's new assessments set goals high enough to lift up low-performing schools. Since test scores were released last month, critics have questioned why low-performing schools only have to move up one point next year to be considered improving.

Murray State University President Dr. Randy Dunn is one of three finalists for the Florida Education Commissioner position. Department of Education spokesperson Kassandra Elekes says Dunn submitted his application last Friday and interviews for the position on December 11th.