Education & Schools - baltimoresun.com

Mount Hebron teacher nominated for NAACP Image Award

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 15:56:59 EST

Her novel is in outstanding literacy work category

Children's book author Jerdine Nolen's latest work, a novel titled "Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary," is one of five books nominated for an NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Literary Work -- Youth/Teens. The Mount Hebron High special education teacher says, "I didn't know they had a children's literature [award], but I'm glad they do, because it shows how important literature is and how important children are." "Eliza's Freedom Road," published last year by Simon and Schuster, is Nolen's first chapter book.

College students rally to encourage education spending

By Michael Dresser , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 16:19:11 EST

Event backs spending at community, private colleges

Students from two dozen schools urge lawmakers to avoid cuts

Large number of city teachers receive unsatisfactory evaluations

By Erica L. Green, The Baltimore Sun — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 21:16:00 EST

Teachers believe it is attempt to avoid pay raises, but system says it is effort to help them become more effective

Teachers believe it is attempt to avoid pay raises, but system says it is effort to help them become more effective

Chesapeake High wrestling coach says he hasn't been told why he was removed

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 20:57:00 EST

He says he has not been contacted by school board, which is investigating overnight tournament trip

Former Chesapeake High School wrestling coach Paul Tolle says the Anne Arundel County school system has not given him a full explanation for his removal from his post last month.

Md. is No. 1 in number of graduates who pass AP exams

By Liz Bowie , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:45:57 EST

But poor and black students don't have same access to tests

For the fourth year in a row, Maryland ranked No. 1 in the nation in the percentage of its graduating seniors who successfully passed the rigorous Advanced Placement exams, leaping further ahead of other top states.

Howard County Red Cross chapter resells prom dresses

By Joe Burris , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 18:01:06 EST

Donated dresses sold for low prices; proceeds go to Red Cross

One lucky girl looking for a prom dress could end up with a pageant gown worn by a reigning Miss Maryland, who has donated her pink, fluffy, beaded dress to Project Prom Dress.

MD students fight Keystone pipeline

Tim Wheeler — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Meet with Obama administration officials to press environmental concerns

Some of those environmental activists campaigning against the Keystone XL pipeline are on the young side.

Mitchell would create school construction authority

By Michael Dresser , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 20:43:00 EST

If voters approve, agency would handle funding, issue bonds

A Baltimore delegate plans to introduce legislation to create an authority to oversee a new stream of school construction money that the city would get under a plan envisioned by schools CEO Andrés Alonso.

Nora Roberts makes 2nd gift to McDaniel College

The Associated Press — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 21:23:00 EST

Romance novelist Nora Roberts has given a second $100,000 grant to McDaniel College in Westminster in less than a year.

Fifth-graders take to the dance floor

By Mary Gail Hare , The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 22:58:00 EST

Dance mania spreads to 26 Baltimore County elementary schools

About 90 fifth-graders at Gunpowder Elementary donned their best dancing duds for a recital, capping off a week of lessons in cha-cha, merengue, tango and swing at the Perry Hall school. Since the ballroom course was introduced six years ago at two Baltimore County schools, it has caught on, said Suzanne Henneman, dance resource teacher. The county has hired additional teachers to handle requests this year from 26 elementary schools that each paid $550 for five one-hour lessons. Student Samantha Jones said: "I thought it would be too weird being so close to boys. But it's really fun and I can't wait to show off for my family."