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More charter seats: The DC Public Charter School Board approved 3 new charter schools and is considering the expansion of two others, prompting some to ask if the Board should coordinate its planning with DCPS. (Post)

Principals consider contract: DCPS has reached a tentative agreement with the union that represents school administrators, and it contains 3% annual raises for most members. (Post)

More time at the beach for Maryland students?: A task force has recommended that public schools in the state delay opening until after Labor Day, a proposal that is supported by the tourism industry. (Post)

Recyclable lunch trays: Montgomery County will abandon polystyrene for a more environmentally friendly alternative, cardboard. (Post)

Prince George’s school may close: The school system wants to close under-enrolled and under-performing Thomas Claggett Elementary in District Heights. (Post)

Common standards, fragmented tests: With only 27 states still planning to use one of two assessments aligned to the Common Core standards, the idea that the standards would lead to a common system of measurement may be fading. (Ed Week)

Evaluating preschools: Echoing a recent debate in DC, Louisiana is now trying to hold state-funded early childhood programs accountable on the basis of student tests. (Hechinger Report)

Teachers need more time to plan: Schools that use extended hours not just for instruction but also for more collaborative planning get excellent results. (Post)

Can technology take the place of tutoring?: Using technology along with traditional instruction can personalize learning, ensure competence in one skill before a student moves on, and perhaps provide the same kind of boost to achievement that one-on-one instruction does. (Ed Next)

Michelle Obama fights for healthy school food: The first lady is vigorously opposing efforts to roll back nutritional standards. (Post)

Student reps for DC State Board of Education: The Board is seeking two students who are juniors or seniors at either a DCPS or charter school and have a GPA of 3.5 or above. (SBOE)