ACT scores dip slightly as record numbers take test, but more students college-ready

ACT scores dip, but more students college-ready

Average scores on the ACT college entrance exam inched downward this year, yet slightly more students who took the test proved to be prepared for college, according to a report released Wednesday.
The findings sound contradictory. But the exam’s authors point to a growing and more diverse group of test-takers … Original source on Gaea Times at : ACT scores dip slightly as record numbers take test, but more students college-ready.

Punjab Technical University targets Asia, Africa

CHANDIGARH – After launching its centres across India, Punjab Technical University (PTU) is all set to take the education world by storm by foraying into South Asian and African countries.

To start with, PTU will launch its management and technical courses through distance learning programmes in SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries and then …. Read the original article  : Punjab Technical University targets Asia, Africa.

Ark. officials worked with wrong figure; additional $5.9M available for lottery scholarships

$5.9M more available for Ark. scholarships

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – About 1,400 more students will be awarded scholarships with money from the Arkansas lottery, Gov. Mike Beebe announced Tuesday after he learned an additional $5.9 million is available from lottery proceeds.
Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said an “unintentional miscommunication” led the Higher Education Department to base its …. Original source  : Ark. officials worked with wrong figure; additional $5.9M available for lottery scholarships.

Mich. governor to lay out revised 2010-11 budget plan Weds. for lawmakers dealing with deficit

Granholm to lay out revised 2010-11 budget plan

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Jennifer Granholm plans to lay out a revised spending plan for lawmakers Wednesday and said she hopes they work quickly to get the budget in place.
“We have to get it resolved,” she told reporters Tuesday.
Michigan faces a deficit in the budget year that starts … Read : Mich. governor to lay out revised 2010-11 budget plan Weds. for lawmakers dealing with deficit.

MCI mulls new training facilities

NEW DELHI – As the faculty crunch in medical colleges becomes a major issue of concern, the Medical Council of India (MCI) is now mulling conducting tele-classes for students.

An All India Medical College Tele-Medicine Network is under the consideration of the health ministry, Sita Naik, a member of the MCI’s board of governors, said Tuesday. …. Source article  : MCI mulls new training facilities.

Atlanta schools latest in string of test cheating scandals across nation

Atlanta latest in string of cheating scandals

ATLANTA – A cheating scandal is roiling Atlanta Public Schools, casting into doubt the work of hundreds of students in at least 12 of the mostly poor, mostly minority district’s elementary and middle schools.
At one elementary school, a student said his teacher whispered in his ear the correct answers …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pa. school district settles with teacher suspended over Facebook photo of her with stripper

Pa. school settles Facebook stripper-photo case

PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania school district has agreed to pay $10,000 to the American Civil Liberties Union and a teacher who was suspended after someone posted a Facebook photo of her with a male stripper.
Thirty-seven-year-old Ginger D’Amico also will get more than $4,000 in back pay.
D’Amico is a Spanish teacher …. Original article  : Pa. school district settles with teacher suspended over Facebook photo of her with stripper.

Community college campus shut down near Dallas after reports of gunfire

Reports of gunfire at campus near Dallas
McKINNEY, Texas – A community college about 30 miles north of Dallas has been put on lockdown after reports of gunfire.

An e-mail alert, sent shortly after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to students and staff of the Collin County Community College District, warned that shots had been fired and that the … Read more >>.

Common medical entrance test from next year: MCI

NEW DELHI – A common entrance test for students aspiring to study medicine is likely to be introduced from the next year, the Medical Council of India (MCI) said Tuesday.

“The common entrance test for undergraduate and postgraduate students will soon be a reality. The health minister has approved (it). We are awaiting the notification to …. Original source  : Common medical entrance test from next year: MCI.

State-run insurers not to withdraw cashless reimbursement

NEW DELHI – State-run general insurance companies will not withdraw cashless health or accidental insurance products and customers can avail such services from the network of hospitals approved by the insurer, the government said Tuesday.

“The public sector general insurance companies have not withdrawn the facility of cashless treatment,” said Minister of State for Finance Namo …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chinese varsities ban extra-marital affairs

SHANGHAI – Having an extra-marital affair or “wrecking” other people’s marriages can now lead to expulsion from universities in China.

“Those who maintain ’special relationships’ with married people will be kicked out from the campus,” Guangzhou-based South China Normal University said in a statement.
The Chongqing Normal University issued a similar warning, but in a more … Read : Chinese varsities ban extra-marital affairs.

Colleges should prepare students for jobs: President

NEW DELHI – President Pratibha Patil Tuesday urged educational institutions to prepare students as skilled workers as there was often a mismatch between the talents that graduates possess and the needs of employers.

Inaugurating the golden jubilee celebration of Delhi University’s Sri Venkateswara College, Patil said: “The mismatch of skills leads to low employability ratio of …. Read the original article  : Colleges should prepare students for jobs: President.

Jamia: Sports Authority of India’s new extension centre

NEW DELHI – The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) university has been adopted as an extension centre by the Sports Authority of India, an official said Tuesday.

“The varsity will be used as ‘Special Training Centre’ and ‘Special Area Games’ for junior level trainees,” JMI media coordinator Simi Malhotra said.
She said schools and colleges, which are … Read more »».

Shortage of one million elementary school teachers: Sibal

NEW DELHI – Underlining a shortage of 1.2 million teachers at the elementary school level, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal Tuesday called for improvement in their standards and also in salaries and facilities for them.

“The availability of good teachers is the biggest challenge for the education system,” Sibal said addressing the 15th foundation [..] Read the original article: here.

WBUT Student Ragged By Seniors

SILIGURI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- In a condemnable incident that has sent shock waves among the students of engineering and their parents, a student of Siliguri Institute of Technology was forced to return to his home after the commencement of the new academic session. The student named Riju Ghosh was severely tortured by two senior students [..] Read the original article: here.

Harvard regains spot atop U.S. News college rankings, focus on grad rates spurs movement

Harvard regains spot atop U.S. News rankings

Harvard pulled ahead of Ivy League rival Princeton in the latest edition of the influential U.S. News & World Report university rankings, while a stronger emphasis on graduation rates drove other changes in the Top 10.
The nation’s oldest university and traditionally one of its most selective, Harvard has topped … Read more : Harvard regains spot atop U.S. News college rankings, focus on grad rates spurs movement.

Want to earn a professional degree to advance your career? Read this first

Is that for-profit certificate worth the debt?

NEW YORK – One sign a degree from a for-profit school may not be worth pursuing? You won’t be able to repay your student loans after graduating.
New data from the Department of Education reveals low repayment rates among recent graduates of for-profit schools, which usually offer certificate programs or …. Read the original article  : Want to earn a professional degree to advance your career? Read this first.

Stores recognize that school shoppers aren’t looking for cookie-cutters

School shoppers giving a lesson in individualism

NEW YORK – Stores and manufacturers always try to court kids during the all-important back-to-school season, but now that engagement means interactivity, not a flier with coupons or a catalog full of smiling children clutching notebooks.
Kids want shopping to be fun, and they want clothes and shopping experiences with … Original source on Gaea Times at : Stores recognize that school shoppers aren’t looking for cookie-cutters.

Lightening strike kills 7 children at religious school in Sudan’s Darfur region

Lightening kills 7 school children in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sudan’s state news agency says lightening has struck a religious school in the country’s western Darfur region, killing seven children.
The report quoted a local official as saying the children, between the ages of 10 and 13, were attending a Quranic school in the remote village of …. Read the original article  : Lightening strike kills 7 children at religious school in Sudan’s Darfur region.

Anti-war protesters call for removal of former Bush attorney who teaches law at UC Berkeley

Protesters call for UC Berkeley law prof’s removal

BERKELEY, Calif. – Anti-war activists are protesting at the University of California, Berkeley to demand the removal of a law professor who used to craft legal theories for the Bush administration on waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques.
Monday is the first day of classes at UC Berkeley’s School …. Source article  : Anti-war protesters call for removal of former Bush attorney who teaches law at UC Berkeley.