Education  

 

 

FRONTLINE

Frontline: Dropout Nation


WATCH ONLINE
At Houston’s Sharpstown High, once a notorious “dropout factory,” a high-stakes experiment is underway to rescue students from the edge.

WGBH Local News

Boston Volunteers Help Vietnamese with HIV


By Phillip Martin
In Ho Chi Minh City, two Boston College professors are leading a group of students to volunteer at a clinic for HIV patients who are at the end of their lives.
Education

Want to Go to UMass? Get in the Lab


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts high school students will soon be required to take at least 3 years of lab-based science classes to get into the state's 4-year public universities. 
Education

New Mass. Lawyers Feel the Squeeze


By Abbie Ruzicka
Congratulations, new law school grads! You have massive debt and you're entering a field with heavy competition for jobs. But the Massachusetts Bar Association is trying to improve your prospects.
Innovation Hub

Inside MIT's $100K Entrepreneurship Challenge


MORE INNOVATION HUB
By Kara Miller
Innovation Hub meets the winners of this year's MIT 100K Entrepreneurship Challenge.
Education

Unearthing History in Waltham


By Ibby Caputo
When you hear "archaeological dig," maybe you conjure up thoughts of Indiana Jones. But students are uncovering a 200-year-old greenhouse at a site so close to Boston you can take the bus there.
Education

College Is Still Worth It, Says MIT President


MORE FROM THE TAKEAWAY
By Cristina Quinn & John Hockenberry
Despite shaky employment figures, MIT's Susan Hockfield says the chances of finding employment with a college degree are significantly greater than with only a high school diploma.
Education

Governor Objects to UMass Tuition Increase


By Sarah Birnbaum
University of Massachusetts trustees have approved a nearly 5 percent tuition and fee increase for undergraduates. Says the governor, "It's a crummy time to ask students to pay more."
Xconomy

Xconomy Report: Counting on 'Big Data'


By Gregory T. Huang, Editor, Xconomy Boston
The emerging field of "big data" could help revitalize the state’s tech economy — as long as it doesn’t collapse under the weight of its own hype. Also: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, GreenBytes and MassChallenge.
Education

Teacher of the Year Questions School Funding


By Anne Mostue
Kathleen Turner, who teaches French at Sharon High School, said she'd like to see new funding models for public schools. Turner will spend the next 12 months traveling around the state.
Folk Music

Local School for the Blind Celebrates Doc Watson's Life


LISTEN TO HIS MUSIC
By Cristina Quinn
An administrator says students at Perkins School for the Blind take particular inspiration from blind musicians such as folk guitarist Doc Watson, who died May 29.
Innovation Hub

Powering Innovation With Education


MORE INNOVATION HUB
By Kara Miller
Is our education system training young Americans for an innovative future? We ask innovators and teachers about the future of math and science education.
Religion

Presentation School Opens to Community


THE SCHOOL IN 2010
By Toni Waterman
Shuttered in 2005 by the Boston Archdiocese, a beloved parochial school has reopened its doors as a community center. Volunteers talk about the journey.
Research News

Invest in Higher Ed for Jobs, Study Says


By Bob Seay
April saw 2,500 new jobs in the state. If we want even more, a UMass economist says we should fund state colleges and universities — to the tune of $800 mil.
Education

New MIT President Leads in Online Ed


By Danielle Dreilinger
MIT provost L. Rafael Reif received a Tribeca Disruptive Innovation award for his role in the institution's online learning platforms. He talked about the MITx and edX projects with WGBH News.
Government

Lawmakers Support Universities and Infrastructure


By Sarah Birnbaum
Mass. House leaders unveiled plans on Monday to boost the budget for universities and local infrastructure programs as part of an omnibus economic development bill. 
INNOVATION HUB

Inner-City Programs For The Next Big Thinkers


MORE INNOVATION HUB
By Kara Miller
A look at the innovative programs that are helping inner-city students get the connections, resources and knowledge that it takes to be the next great entrepreneur, scientist or thinker.
Election 2012

Member of Appointments Board Defends Elizabeth Warren


By Jordan Weinstein
A Harvard Law School professor and former Reagan administration official is calling "false" and "complete nonsense" any suggestion that Elizabeth Warren enjoyed an affirmative action advantage in her hiring as a full professor.
Education

What's the Best Fix for Community Colleges?


By Abbie Ruzicka
Community college advocates say the system's been neglected in the face of booming enrollment. But they differ about what the colleges need in order to provide a strong education and job training in the 21st century.
Xconomy

Xconomy Report: E Pioneers!


By Gregory T. Huang, Editor, Xconomy Boston
Everyone's waiting for Facebook's IPO. But sometimes it's good to remember our country's first social network. ...
Education

The Changing Landscape of Online Ed


By WGBH News
edX is making a splash this month -- another example of the academic marketplace filling the space between for-profit schools like the University of Phoenix and the traditional ivy-covered halls.
Education

Harvard, MIT Leaders Discuss Online Initiative


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Jared Bowen
The provosts of Harvard and MIT joined Emily Rooney to discuss their joint online education initiative — one they think will be a game-changer. Watch Greater Boston on-demand.
Education

An Innovative Approach to Help Troubled Teens


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY
By WGBH News
Kelsey Carroll faced homelessness, disability and abuse, and was at risk for dropping out. Now she's the subject of a documentary about her turnaround and the educational approach that helped her.
Economy

MIT Aerospace Center Could Save Hanscom Jobs


By Sarah Birnbaum
MIT is proposing a multi-million-dollar new research facility at Hanscom Air Force Base at a time when state officials are worried Pentagon cutbacks could mean steep job losses.
Innovation Hub

Swapping Blackboards for iPads: Tech in the Classroom


MORE INNOVATION HUB
By Kara Miller
Children spend more and more time punching out text messages, playing online games, and updating their Facebook pages. Is a tech takeover of the classroom inevitable?
WGBH Local News

Franco Garcia 'A Remarkable Young Man'


By Cristina Quinn
Family and friends of a Boston College student who went missing on Feb. 22 mourned after a body found in Chestnut Hill Reservoir was preliminarily identified as that of Franco Garcia. 
WGBH NEWS FOCUS: Health Care on Trial

Changing the Face of Medicine


FOLLOW THE TOUR FOR DIVERSITY IN MEDICINE
By Ibby Caputo
Local doctors are making unique efforts to improve the quality of medical treatment, especially in populations of color — in part by recruiting members of those communities to join the M.D. ranks.
Innovation Hub

Catching Up With Young Mass. Innovators

By Kara Miller
We meet two of the state's most promising high-school students; and hear from a promising Boston entrepreneur on his decision to decamp for San Francisco. MORE INNOVATION HUB
Education

Raid FUELs Banker's Support for Immigrants


By Michelle Figueroa
Five years ago this month, federal agents stormed the Bianco textile factory in New Bedford, arresting 350 undocumented workers. The experience led Bob HIldreth to create Families United in Educational Leadership to help low-income immigrants.
People & Profiles

Two Mass. High School Students Named Intel Finalists


By Kara Miller
Xiaoyu He and David Ding are among the 40 Intel STS finalists who have spent the week in Washington D.C. and will come home with cash prizes for their pre-college research.
Education

Lawmakers Consider Raising Dropout Age


By Sarah Birnbaum
The Legislature's Joint Education Committee is set to vote on a bill today to change the high school dropout age from 16 to 18. However, questions about funding remain unanswered.
U.S.

'Hope and Change,' and a New Center at Tufts


By WGBH News
At Tufts, a conference studying Barack Obama has grown into a center examining the role of race in democracy worldwide.
Education

Digging into BU's 'Hockey Culture'


By Toni Waterman & Danielle Dreilinger
Do hockey players really get special treatment at Boston University? Some students and experts say the reputation is deserved.
WGBH Local News

Revisiting School Desegregation in Charlestown


By Phillip Martin
In Kevin White's era, Charlestown made headlines for its opposition to court-ordered school desegregation. Today's high school looks very different. With exclusive archival footage.
WGBH Local News

Studying Libraries, Part 2: The E-Book Battle


STUDYING LIBRARIES, PT. 1
By Sean Corcoran
Librarians are reporting dramatic increases in the numbers of people looking to borrow e-books. But some publishing houses are rethinking whether they want libraries loaning out e-books at all.
Education

Studying Libraries, Part 1: More with Less


WCAI
By Sean Corcoran
People are looking to libraries to respond to technology and make up for cuts in their own household budgets — and libraries are answering the call.
Education

Boston's University Leader Sisterhood


By Cristina Quinn
The president of Bentley University said that departing MIT president Susan Hockfield was a mentor and an inspiration.
Education

Kerry Town Hall Promotes College Affordability


By Frannie Carr
As college becomes ever more a necessity for economic success — it's also getting ever more expensive. Sen. John Kerry held a public meeting on Feb. 6 to learn how to keep costs down.
WGBH Local News

Gov. Patrick On Community Colleges, Jobs And Income Inequality


WATCH THE INTERVIEW
Governor Patrick talks on WGBH's "Basic Black" about his vision for unifying community colleges and the impact on people of color.
Xconomy

Xconomy Report: Finding The Next Facebook


By Xconomy.com
While most of the tech world is analyzing Facebook’s impending IPO, a new effort at Harvard University is trying to find the next Facebook — and keep it in Cambridge.
Education

Going To Community College, Or Not


By Cristina Quinn
Gov. Deval Patrick is advocating community college for those out of work ... but sometimes it's not that easy. 
Xconomy

Xconomy Report: Get Stupid, Student


By Xconomy.com
How can students prepare for the world they'll face in 10 years? Xconomy asked 22 innovators as part of a new national report on the future of education.
Education

State Names Receiver For Lawrence Schools


WHERE WE LIVE: LAWRENCE
By Linda Polach
As receiver of the Lawrence school system, Boston administrator Jeff Riley will have extensive authority to make changes in the troubled district.
Innovation Hub

New Ideas For The Job Hunt

By Kara Miller
We take a look at the role of innovation in the job hunt -- from new, growing industries to new tools job seekers can use to land that job. 
Local Politics

2012 State House Priorities: Special Ed, Health Care, Budget


MORE STATE HOUSE COVERAGE BY SARAH BIRNBAUM
By Sarah Birnbaum
Senate President Therese Murray said one of the first items on the Senate’s to-do list is a crackdown on the state’s special education collaboratives.
Innovation Hub

Encore: Innovations In Urban And Digital Learning


By Kara Miller
On this encore edition of Innovation Hub, we look at new ideas in urban education and explore the expanding horizons of educational video games.
Innovation Hub

Encore: Rethinking Higher Education

By Kara Miller
As students grapple with the high costs of college, and universities work to cope with increasing demand, how can online learning play a bigger role in the landscape of higher education?
Education

Wilson's UMass Perks Not Unusual, Observers Say


By Sarah Birnbaum
UMass is launching a probe into the former president's sabbatical pay. However, this kind of benefit has become the norm in public higher ed.
Education

X Marks The Spot For MIT Online Ed


By Jordan Weinstein
The new MITx online learning platform will offer students interactive labs, discussions and the opportunity to earn MIT credentials, provost Rafael Reif said.
Education

Harvard's Vampires 101


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY
By Will Roseliep
No, not sleepless freshmen. A new Harvard Extension course has attracted hundreds of people thirsting for knowledge about the vampire in literature and film.
LOCAL NEWS

Administration Absent From Occupy Harvard Forum


By Ibby Caputo
Attendees at an Occupy Harvard forum dissected the absence of key administrators — and a letter from university president Drew Faust that said Harvard locked its gates after students assaulted a police officer.
Innovation Hub

Four Years, Four Walls: Innovating Beyond The Classroom


By Kara Miller
As students grapple with the high costs of college, and universities work to cope with increasing demand, could a new model for higher education be on the way? Or is it already here?
Innovation Hub

Rethinking Higher Education

Education

Teachers Protest Controversial Ex-Chancellor


By Phillip Martin
Educator Michelle Rhea drew a packed house of supporters to a Boston talk — and hundreds of local teachers protesting her tactics.
Education

Emerson Goes Hollywood But Rooted In Beantown


By Jordan Weinstein
Does the Hollywood sign outshine the lights of the Cutler Majestic? Emerson leader Lee Pelton said a new LA campus is an expansion — and not the start of a wholesale move west.
Greater Boston

President Obama Pledges Debt Relief For College Students


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Jaclyn Cashman
This week President Obama offered some much-needed relief to college graduates faced with crushing student loan debt. What could Obama’s plan mean for current college students? Here's a breakdown of the President’s latest move to fix the economy.
Education

Too Many Mass. Students Unprepared For College, Officials Say


By Sarah Birnbaum
They say the problems is that too many students pass the MCAS test, graduate from high school but still can’t do basic college level reading, writing and math.
TECHNOLOGY

Experts Warn Against Digital 'Babysitters'


THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW: CHILDREN IN A TOUCH-SCREEN WORLD
GREATER BOSTON: MANDATORY IPADS IN THE CLASSROOM
By WGBH News
Touch-screen devices and tablets can be educational for children, experts said — but parents have to be in charge.
THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW

First Generation To College


MORE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By WGBH News
If no one in your family has gone to college, higher education may seem like an impossible goal. Three prominent Bostonians—the first in their families to attend college— talk about their road to success.
INNOVATION

MIT Helps Build the Silicon Valley of Russia

By Phillip Martin
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is about to sign a historic agreement to help establish a major university in Russia—that will anchor a planned $6.6 billion town of technology, innovation and business success. SKOLKOVO INSTITUTE: A TIMELINE
MIT, FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION
Greater Boston

Harvard University's 'Kindness Pledge'


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Toni Waterman
There's a new and controversial philosophy at Harvard University this year. All incoming students have been asked to take what has been dubbed "The Kindness Pledge." It sounds innocent enough, but the pledge is sparking debate.
Boston

Harvard Reveals Plans For Allston Development


By Jordan Weinstein
In an open letter to Allston residents on Wednesday, leaders at Harvard University revealed the institution's vision for its vast Allston holdings whose development, stalled in 2009 following the economic downturn.
Greater Boston

Making iPads Mandatory In The Classroom


MORE GREATER BOSTON
By Jared Bowen
At the private Bancroft School in Worcester, Mass., iPads have been woven into the school's curriculum. It's a new policy this year. Students at this K-12 school are strongly encouraged to attend classes with an iPad. Next year, they'll be mandatory.
Boston

An Entrepreneur, A Soldier, A Refugee: Millennials And Sept. 11



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Jess Bidgood
It may be too early to say how Sept. 11 affected the millennial generation, who came of age in its aftermath. But it did bring change, one person at a time. Here are three stories of youths whose lives were altered because of that day.
A DECADE OF STORIES

'The Biggest Danger Is Overreacting'



SEPT. 11: A DAY OF REFLECTION, A DECADE OF STORIES
By Gary Mott
On Sept. 11, Prof. Joe Nye was the dean of the Kennedy School. Nye reflects on how he led his students that day — and the implications of the attack for the country.
Boston

Mass. May Apply To Waive NCLB Requirements


EARLIER: OBAMA ADMIN. TO OVERRIDE KEY PARTS OF NCLB
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts may ask the federal government for a waiver of some of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind education law. Without the waiver, officials say a large number of Bay State schools would face sanctions.
Science

Boston Astronauts, Scientists Reflect On NASA Shuttle


By Luke Boelitz and Jess Bidgood
Cosmic as it was, NASA's space shuttle program hit close to home for members of the Boston area’s academic and private aerospace communities.
Boston

Westport Officials Work To Cleanup Toxins Found In Middle School

By Jordan Weinstein
Officials in Westport, Mass., are working to deal with unsafe levels of toxins discovered in a middle school there this week.
Local Politics

Patrick Pushes In-State Tuition For Undocumented Immigrants

By Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick is emphasizing his support for legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants living in Massachusetts to pay in-state tuition attend the state's public colleges and universities.
Classical

Supreme Court Takes Up Small Orchestras' Dilemma


LISTEN TO THE DISCUSSION
MORE FROM THE CALLIE CROSSLEY SHOW
By WGBH News
A 1994 U.S. copyright law shifted many foreign artworks out of the public domain, and many musical staples became too expensive for small orchestras to perform. But now their case is before the Supreme Court.
Education

New Rules Ban Fried Snacks, Sugary Drinks In Mass. Schools


By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts school children will no longer be able to buy soda or chips from the vending machine. The state's Public Health Council passed new regulations banning fried food, sugary drinks and artifical sweeteners from public schools.
Education

Among Teachers, Qualified Support For Use Of MCAS In Evaluations


NEW TEACHER EVALUATIONS INCLUDE MCAS SCORES
By Andrea Smardon
The state's Education Board has approved new regulations that use students' MCAS scores as one of criteria to evaluate teachers. It's a change many teachers welcome — but they want to make sure it's implemented alongside a series of other changes.
Education

Among Teachers, Qualified Support For Use Of MCAS In Evaluations

By Andrea Smardon
The state's Education Board has approved new regulations that use students' MCAS scores as one of criteria to evaluate teachers. It's a change many teachers welcome — but they want to make sure it's implemented alongside a series of other changes. NEW TEACHER EVALUATIONS INCLUDE MCAS SCORES
Education

Three Views On English Immersion


WEIGH IN: YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH IMMERSION
By WGBH
An education expert, a guidance counselor and a former student offer their views on English immersion. What's yours?
U.S.

Did Conan O'Brien Give 'The Greatest Commencement Speech Ever?'



MORE NEWS
By Mark Memmott
"Whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come," he told Dartmouth College graduates. "The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity; and with clarity comes conviction and true originality." He's winning raves.

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