Recess round-up: August 20, 2010

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

Federal funding: Opting not to make a statement about state sovereignty, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert “broke with conservatives” in the state legislature and plans to apply for $101 million in stimulus funds for teacher and staff salaries. (Examiner.com)

Adequate yearly progress: Virginia’s Franklin County School Superintendent Charles Lackey criticized federal requirements for “adequate yearly progress” (AYP) as being “unrealistic and unreasonable.” (The Franklin News-Post)

School choice: The San Francisco Chronicle takes a look at the confusion and problems that arise when trying to navigate the city’s school choice system.

Turnaround grants: Kevin Gordon takes on the task of turning around one of Florida’s lowest-performing high school. (St. Petersburg Times)

Business and education: At the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s annual State of the Schools luncheon, speakers stressed the need for business and community leaders to work to improve education. (The Oklahoman)

Budgets: Higher education leaders in Nevada are preparing to ask the governor for more money in the face of demands two of the last three years for budget cuts. This time, they’ll request an increase in funding of nearly 25 percent. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)