Photo by stephanski on Flickr.

Test results every year?: With ongoing debate over whether new curriculum standards should justify a “testing holiday,” Jay Mathews asks parents to weigh in on whether they would be willing to go for a year without getting test results. (Post)

No change in school boundaries?: Jonetta Rose Barras acknowledges anxiety among parents about the re-examination of DCPS boundaries and feeder patterns but is cautiously optimistic about the process. (Post)

Not becoming grandparents too early?: DC students correctly answered almost two-thirds of the questions on last year’s health and physical education tests, which include sex ed for some grades. But health activists say there’s still a long way to go, citing the case of one teenager who had no idea why she was pregnant. (Post)

How to choose the right school: An education consultant provides some tips on what to look for. (Hill Rag)

Special ed case progresses, slowly: Families of children with disabilities can move forward with a lawsuit against the District that began in 2005. The plaintiffs claim DC has violated federal law in the way it identifies children for special ed services and then provides them. (Legal Times)

Vouchers lack oversight: The agency overseeing a program that gives DC students federal aid to attend private schools hasn’t been doing its job well, according to the GAO. Students are attending unaccredited schools, some of which have 90% of their students paying with vouchers. (Post)

Pros and cons of college scholarship plan: DC residents expressed support for a proposal that would award families up to $100,000 in tuition aid. But others see room for improvement. (Post, DC Fiscal Policy Institute)

Free classes for charter trustees: In an effort to improve governance, a DC agency is funding a free course for charter school board members that covers topics like overseeing finances and monitoring academics. (Examiner)

Let’s put those classes to use: DC Prep, a highly regarded charter school, will begin a search for a new CEO … Charter applicant Harmony Public Schools replaced one member of its founding group who had some blemishes on his record … And a former Nia Community PCS executive director plead guilty to embezzling $29,000 from the school and nearly $12,000 from an Army daycare in Virginia. (Examiner, Post)

Upcoming Events

DC Public Charter School Board: The PCSB will hold a vote on approving charter operators Harmony Public Schools and Democracy Prep at its monthly meeting. Monday, November 18th from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm at 3333 14th Street NW, 2nd Floor conference room.

Ward 5 Education Council: The organization will address the Next Generation Science Standards at its monthly meeting. Tuesday, November 19th from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Lamond-Riggs Library, 5401 S. Dakota Ave NE.

Is Hybrid Schooling for Your Family? The Capitol Hill Learning Group is hosting a panel for parents to learn more about their program, which combines classroom and home-based learning. Tuesday, November 19th from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm at The Hybrid Academy, 433 9th St NE.