Recess round-up: July 20, 2010

A daily dose of education news around the nation – just in time for a little mid-day break!

Virtual schools: The Massachusetts State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is set to vote on proposed regulations that would limit the growth of virtual schools tomorrow. (Boston Globe)

Standardized tests: The New York Board of Regents has agreed to changes to the state standardized tests that will “cut down on the high number of students who earn ‘proficient’ scores” without mastering basic skills. (Albany Times Union)

Graduation rates: Dan Freund, incoming superintendent of the Mansfield City Schools in Ohio, says his district has “got to do a lot better” than its current 79.4 percent graduation rate. (Mansfield News Journal)

Technology: Nanakuli and Waianae high schools in Hawaii this year will take part in a “one-to-one” laptop program as part of an initiative to help turn around low-performing schools through the New Tech Network model. (Honolulu Star Advertiser)

Financial aid: The number of federally funded work-study college jobs will decrease by 162,000 this coming year. (U.S. News & World Report)

School funding: Rhode Island’s school funding formula — the first such formula the state has had in over 15 years — might be an improvement but it doesn’t fix all the problems, critics say. (Education Week)

Sarah Butrymowicz