Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
Alabama law takes bite out of pupil’s apple for teacher
That apple for the teacher is likely history in Alabama, where broad new ethics laws ban virtually all gifts for instructors and other public employees. Published November 23, 2011
Teachers union leader says battle’s just begun
The head of the nation's largest labor union says Republican efforts to restrain the power of unions has produced a middle-class backlash across the country that could cost Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and other GOP politicians their jobs. Published November 21, 2011
Ron Paul: U.S. military bases create enemies
Despite his recent surge in the polls, presidential hopeful Rep. Ron Paul won't back away from controversial positions that have in the past caused pundits and many Republicans to dismiss him as an unelectable fringe candidate. Published November 20, 2011
New Hampshire governor vows to veto any gaming legislation
As Massachusetts prepares for the legalization of casinos, the state's neighbor to the north, New Hampshire, is headed in the opposite direction. Published November 16, 2011
Budgeting woes could derail U.S. role in space exploration
The days of U.S. leadership in space exploration could be coming to an end, as lawmakers expressed growing fears at a Capitol hearing Tuesday that the nation's fiscal mess could derail two highly anticipated Mars missions. Published November 15, 2011
Education chief says Penn State might have ‘price to pay’
Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Monday said Penn State University will have "a price to pay" if a federal investigation concludes the school covered up allegations that former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted young boys on campus. Published November 14, 2011
China increases pace in foreign student contingent
More foreign students are studying at U.S. colleges and universities than ever before, as global competitors such as China export an increasing number of their young people for degrees. Published November 14, 2011
No cuts left behind as schools squeeze most out of budgets
For cash-strapped states and school districts, budget items that once seemed immune to cuts — including bus service and American flags — have become fair game. Published November 14, 2011
Federal inquiry spells more grief for Penn State
As federal investigators launch a probe of Penn State University, the school could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for its handling of alleged sexual abuse scandal involving former coach Jerry Sandusky. Published November 10, 2011
Obama again sidesteps Congress with Head Start order
President Obama unveiled the latest installment of his "we can't wait" campaign against Congress Tuesday, this time issuing new rules governing the early childhood education program Head Start. Published November 8, 2011
Overhaul of school policy in jeopardy
Key lawmakers and educators are growing increasingly pessimistic that a massive overhaul of federal school policy can get through Congress before the 2012 election-year battles could doom the hopes for major bipartisan legislation. Published November 6, 2011
New bill to target treatment of circus animals in traveling shows
Lions, tigers and elephants — staples of the American circus for more than a century — would be banned from the big top under new legislation proposed by House Democrats. Published November 2, 2011
U.S. students’ scores go up, but racial gaps persist
U.S. students are making progress in reading and math, but the advances continue to be clouded by stubbornly high gaps between scores for white children and their black and Hispanic counterparts, according to a major new survey Tuesday from the National Center for Education Statistics. Published November 1, 2011
‘Voucher’ a red-flag word for school-choice advocates
Lawmakers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and elsewhere are still proposing expanded voucher programs. They're just calling them something else. Published October 31, 2011
Democrats target Romney as GOP nominee
The first Republican presidential primary may be more than two months away, but some Democrats are convinced that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be the eventual GOP nominee — and they already are rolling out their general election attack strategy. Published October 30, 2011
Perry confident of faring well in an Obama debate
Gov. Rick Perry believes he would have no trouble holding his own against the president. Published October 30, 2011
Obama unveils student debt-relief plan
Continuing his recent tack of bypassing Congress and enacting reforms "without them," President Obama on Wednesday announced a package of student loan reforms designed to lower college graduates' monthly payments, arguing his plan will redirect some of that borrowed money into the economy to promote job growth. Published October 26, 2011
Bullying add-ons make No Child reform less certain
Democrats plan to introduce two anti-bullying amendments when a major education reform proposal hits the Senate floor later this year - but the measures could put bipartisan support for the bill in serious jeopardy. Published October 25, 2011
Pa. governor takes fiscal reins of debt-strapped capital
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett on Monday declared a fiscal emergency in the state capital of Harrisburg, removing much of the authority over police, firefighting, trash collection and other services from city officials and placing it in the hands of his administration. Published October 24, 2011
Debt incinerates pride in Pa. capital
Harrisburg, a proud city of almost 50,000, now stands on the edge of bankruptcy and likely will turn over its troubled checkbook soon to state lawmakers, the last resort after years of poor investment and political infighting. Published October 23, 2011
