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Truancy still a major problem in DCPS: With 32% of students missing more than 10 days of classes without a valid excuse, some schools are trying tactics like holding raffles for students who show up on time. (Post)

Private philanthropy and DC charters: The Walton Family Foundation has played a key role in the growth of charter schools in DC and elsewhere. (NY Times)

Catania looks to public school parents: A new group has formed to support the DC Councilmember’s bid for mayor. (Post)

Neighborhood schools and other issues: Parents who responded to proposals for a new school assignment system overwhelmingly favored keeping neighborhood schools, but the vast majority of the responses came from affluent neighborhoods. (Post)

More voices on boundary changes: Councilmember Jim Graham and others criticized the proposed changes in student assignment policies at a State Board of Education hearing. (WTOP)

Henderson on schools budget: In advance of her testimony before the DC Council today on the budget, the DCPS Chancellor said “it’s a great day for DCPS on the financial front,” with a proposed increase in funding of $58 million. (Fox DC)

Home visits for new parents: The mayor’s proposed budget includes money to continue home visits that give new parents guidance on their children’s health and cognitive development. There’s also money to improve child care. (DCFPI)

No reversal on school merger: DCPS has no plans to undo the merger between the application-only School Without Walls high school and a neighborhood K-8 school, as some Walls parents have urged. (Current)

School choice has a double edge: Sam Chaltain ponders whether choice is strengthening our communities or tearing them apart. (Of, By, For)

Inequities in Montgomery schools: Hundreds of students marched to call attention to the achievement gap between higher-income students in the county and lower-income black and Hispanic students. And one education analyst says the county is well positioned to be a leader in fostering socioeconomic integration. (Post)

Prince George’s parents push for Spanish immersion: Thanks to the efforts of two mothers of preschoolers, the proposed budget includes funds for programs at 3 schools. (Post)

Testing improvements lack funds in Virginia: A move to decrease the number of state standardized tests is jeopardizing funding for developing adaptive tests, which provide a more accurate picture of students achievement. (Post)

Few classes in computer science: Few high schools in the DC area, and in the country as a whole, offer courses in a subject that can open a lot of opportunities. (Post)

Federal effort to improve teacher prep: The Obama administration is planning to use federal financial aid to promote teacher education programs whose graduates are able to find jobs, stay in the profession, and raise student test scores. (Politico)