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How DC’s growth is changing schools: No surprises, but a lot of interesting data and cool interactives on changing demographics and the growth of charters. The City Paper’s Aaron Wiener hits the highlights. (Urban Institute)

Can DC lead the way to a better future?: The District may be able to model a way forward in reimagining education, says blogger Sam Chaltain, citing (among other things) the CityBridge Foundation’s investments in schools that are coming up with innovative programs. (Of, By, For)

Charter wait lists: The good news is that there are more than 2,000 slots still available at charter schools for next year, after the first round of the school lottery. The not-so-good news is that only 350 of those are in top-performing charters. (Post)

More on DCPS truancy: National data shows DC students are absent from school more than students in almost all other large US cities, and the Washington Post editorial board says we need to establish “a culture of school attendance.” (Post)

Charter schools get less funding than traditional public schools: That’s the conclusion of a report that looked at funding in 30 states and DC, with DC having the largest disparity between sectors. But some say the reason is that charters server fewer students with special needs. (Huffington Post)

More separation for two merged schools?: The editors of the Current side with parents at the application-only School Without Walls high school, who say that a merger with a neighborhood K-8 school should be at least partially undone.

Catania advocates a uniform curriculum: The Current’s editors also endorse, sort of, Councilmember and mayoral candidate David Catania’s idea that DCPS should increase standardization across the system.

Bias in NY Times story on philanthropy and DC charters?: One writer finds an unduly negative tone in a recent article on the Walton Family Foundation’s funding of the charter movement here. (New York Magazine)

More Catholic schools are becoming charters: In DC, that has meant more money in tuition assistance for remaining parochial schools, because the newly converted charters pay rent to the archdiocese. (Friedman Foundation)

Maryland to require 4 years of high school math: The new policy is premised on the idea that if you don’t use math, you lose it. (Post)

Don’t take notes on laptops: A study shows that students who take lecture notes in longhand absorb more than those who type. (Post)

Common Core opposition continues: Although Indiana is the only state that has rejected the new curriculum standards, about 15 states are considering legislation that would repeal or replace them. Some celebrities are making fun of the Common Core. Others say the real problem lies in the testing. (Ed Week, Politico, New Yorker)

New York City teachers consider bonus plan: Under a proposed contract, highly rated teachers would get extra pay, as they do in DC. (NY Times)

Upcoming events:

Bike to School Day: Capitol Hill students will gather at Lincoln Park, 13th and East Capitol Streets SE, at 7:30 am on Wednesday, May 7. Snacks will be available, and bike trains to schools will depart at 8 and 8:15.

Proof Point Day: First-generation college graduates and those who aspire to join their ranks will be wearing green on May 30 in an effort to encourage other students to follow in their footsteps.