Photo by AFGE on Flickr.

Mayor Gray’s record on education questioned: Vincent Gray touts a rise in scores, but critics point to problems: the state of middle schools and special education, and the persistent gap in achievement between wealthier and lower-income students. (Post)

Not to mention OSSE: The Office of the State Superintendent, which oversees standardized testing and special education compliance, has long been plagued by management problems. Critics say it hasn’t gotten any better under Gray. (Post)

Will Gray revelations affect education reform?: Will the recent allegations that the mayor knew about illegal fundraising lead to a change of course for DC schools? (Ed Week)

Improving middle schools: DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson has promised to invest millions next year and has issued a set of non-negotiable course offerings that will apply to all schools serving the middle grades. (Post)

Boundary-change anxiety: Deputy Mayor for Education Abigail Smith fielded questions and outlined the timetable for revising school boundaries and feeder patterns at a meeting in Chevy Chase DC. (Current)

Parents protest withdrawal of funds for charter building: The Gray administration says it would be illegal to help renovate a new language-immersion middle- and high-school, but some are urging officials to reverse that decision. (Post)

At-large candidate wants more access to higher education: Nate Bennett-Fleming wants to give DC residents free tuition at UDC’s community college and a pipeline to 4-year colleges from there. (Current)

Takeover of Alexandria school in doubt: Alexandria’s Jefferson-Houston School was set to become part of a special state-run district for low-performing schools, but the Virginia legislature has cut funding for the initiative. (WAMU)

What makes pre-K work?: A privately financed study in New York is trying to determine what preschool programs succeed in closing the achievement gap between poor and more affluent children, and it could have implications for programs around the country. (NY Times)

Bill Gates urges teachers to defend the Common Core: Speaking to several hundred educators at a conference in DC, Gates said some people are making false claims about the new academic standards. (Post)

Another study of time spent on testing: Last month there was one study, and now there’s another. This one says one unnamed school district could add an entire class period to the day if testing were abandoned. (Post)