Photo by Dawn Huczek on Flickr.

Federal aid to DC schools on hold: The Education Department said it had concerns about DC officials’ management of money targeted at improving 8 DCPS schools. (Post)

Testing irregularities: Two charter schools and two DCPS schools had their standardized test scores thrown out because of serious violations of testing procedures. Less serious violations were found at 13 other schools. (Post)

Special education reforms: DC Councilmember David Catania has proposed legislation intended to speed up the delivery of services, strengthen parents’ rights, and improve charter school services. (Post)

Praise for DC TAG: DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton convened a discussion about the federally funded college aid program on Capitol Hill, amid fears that a new DC scholarship initiative could jeopardize it. (Post)

Snow, and more snow: Here’s a round-up of area school closures so far this school year, and how each jurisdiction expects to make up the lost time. (Post)

And free meals for poor kids on snow days: DC Councilmember Mary Cheh introduced a bill that would require the District to distribute meals at recreation centers in low-income neighborhoods. (Post)

SAT loses ground to ACT: Many fewer high school students took the SAT last year than in 2006, while more and more are turning to the ACT. (Post)

Disparities in discipline: Suspension rates for some groups, including black and LGBT students, are disproportionately high. (Post)

The divide over charters: Richard Cohen is puzzled by attacks on wealthy supporters of charter schools, and an observer of the charter wars in New York City says both sides should tone down the rhetoric. (Post, NY Daily News)

School as community hub: A new public school in one of Baltimore’s poorest neighborhoods is designed to function as the centerpiece of a major redevelopment project. (NY Times)

Got grit?: Some schools are teaching kids to learn from mistakes and try again rather than give up, and to believe that they can increase their own intelligence. (NPR)