High school graduations are happening all across the valley. It's a big night for teens and their families. But it was extra special for a grad in Gilbert who received a special surprise.
High school graduations are happening all across the valley. It's a big night for teens and their families. But it was extra special for a grad in Gilbert who received a special surprise.
Three students almost finished the year with good grades -- but not because they earned them -- because they purchased a device that allowed them to hack into their teachers' computers and change their grades.
Three students almost finished the year with good grades -- but not because they earned them -- because they purchased a device that allowed them to hack into their teachers' computers and change their grades.
Last week's accident sent four students from Queen Creek High School to the hospital. Now, we're hearing from an off-duty officer who helped to save the teens' lives.
Last week's accident sent four students from Queen Creek High School to the hospital. Now, we're hearing from an off-duty officer who helped to save the teens' lives.
Thursday, May 16 2013 5:25 PM EDT2013-05-16 21:25:36 GMT
They're barely old enough to see over the seats but that doesn't stop these kids from targeting a bus aid with profanity-laced insults, FOX 29's Bruce Gordon reports.
They're barely old enough to see over the seats but that doesn't stop these kids from targeting a bus aid with profanity-laced insults, FOX 29's Bruce Gordon reports.
Although students who get free or discounted lunches through federal programs are more likely to be obese than students who don't, kids in states that set higher standards for these meals are less likely to suffer that fate.
Although students who get free or discounted lunches through federal programs are more likely to be obese than students who don't, kids in states that set higher standards for these meals are less likely to suffer that fate.
Illinois will assess only reading and arithmetic now that high school juniors will no longer be tested on their writing skills during standardized exams every spring, according to a published report.
Cutting the writing exams will save about $2.4 million amid the state's budgetary shortfalls. Writing tests for elementary and middle school students were dropped last year.
"We're trying to minimize the damage" of the cuts, Schools Superintendent Christopher Koch told the Chicago Tribune for a story published Wednesday. "Writing is one of the most expensive things to assess."
Federal law doesn't require or fund writing tests. Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, public schools are evaluated based on their reading and math test results.
Illinois isn't alone in struggling with how to offer an effective education for less money. Oregon and Missouri also recently made money-saving cuts to their writing exams.
Illinois education officials expect to restore the writing assessments in 2014 when a new state testing plan will require students to periodically take online tests, Koch said.
And the end of the writing section on state standardized exams for now doesn't mean students won't be tested on their writing at all. Many Advanced Placement exams given in May require writing, and the SAT college entrance exam has a writing requirement.
While some teachers and advocates lamented that the changes may take attention away from writing instruction, others said it may open some doors.
Without having to focus on the tests, "I think it offers some freedom," said teacher Heather Schwartz of Pfc. Omar Torres Charter School in Chicago.
