Ben Wolfgang
Articles by Ben Wolfgang
For-profit college regulation softer than anticipated
The Obama administration Thursday released its highly anticipated regulation for tougher oversight of private, for-profit colleges, saying the new rules were needed to protect students who were running up big tuition bills but getting few practical job skills. Published June 2, 2011
D.C. charter schools up by 1
Three of the District's charter schools will not reopen in the fall, yet when the new school year begins, D.C. still will have more than it does now — a point that advocates for charter schools say proves their worth. Published June 1, 2011
Twister-ravaged Joplin gets promise of aid
President Obama on Sunday visited the site of a "national tragedy" in Joplin, Mo., where residents continue picking up the pieces after the devastating May 22 tornado that left more than 130 people dead and dozens more unaccounted for. Published May 29, 2011
McConnell puts Medicare changes ‘on the table’
The GOP Senate leader says the Ryan Medicare plan is "on the table," but Democrats will have to agree to at least some cuts if there is going to be an agreement on controlling the country's staggering debt. Published May 29, 2011
Schumer tells GOP to forget Ryan budget plan
Sen. Charles E. Schumer on Sunday had some political advice for his Republican counterparts: Throw Rep. Paul D. Ryan overboard. Published May 29, 2011
McCain: Lack of full U.S. military commitment hurts Libyans
Sen. John McCain on Sunday said Libyan civilians are dying in large part because the Obama administration has refused to commit the full weight of the nation's military to the fight to overthrow strongman Col. Moammar Gadhafi. Published May 29, 2011
Report slams heavy focus on school testing
As Congress and the Obama administration weigh a major reform of education policy, the government should overhaul testing methods that have handcuffed teacher creativity and done little to boost student achievement, according to a new report from the National Research Council. Published May 26, 2011
Charter schools and for-profit colleges on rise
From grade school to college, nontraditional education is growing in popularity, according to a new study from the National Center for Education Statistics. Published May 26, 2011
Feds ready 3rd round of ‘Race to Top’ for schools
Education Secretary Arne Duncan is expected to announce Wednesday morning the third round of Race to the Top, which will include new rewards for states that improve their pre-kindergarten education programs. Published May 24, 2011
Locals cash in on natural gas boom in Pa.
Paul Battista opened his industrial supply store in the small town of Slovan, Pa., 31 years ago in the hopes of doing big business with the infant solar-power industry. Times have changed — and so has his customer base. Published May 23, 2011
‘Don’t frack with our water,’ say foes
"Don't frack with our water!" For those who see a darker side to the Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling industry transforming these parts, that has become the new local rallying cry. Published May 22, 2011
Shale motherlode brings world of change
Big energy companies have set up shop to tap the Marcellus Shale, a massive chunk of marine sedimentary rock stretching from the Finger Lakes region of New York as far south as Kentucky and Tennessee, holding within its subterranean grip vast deposits of natural gas. Published May 22, 2011
Pa. intends ‘clear message’ with fine
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday levied the largest fine in state history against an oil or gas company, sending what it called a "clear message" to Chesapeake Energy after several recent violations. Published May 17, 2011
‘Healthier’ school lunch at what cost?
If the federal government gets its way, critics are warning, school lunches will be more expensive and less appetizing and ultimately will leave school districts footing the bill for costly food going down the garbage disposal. Published May 16, 2011
Uniform education standards seen timely
The push by states to implement a "common core" of standards by 2014 presents an opportunity to revamp student assessment methods and correct problems that have plagued the system for the past decade, according to researchers. Published May 16, 2011
Schools struggle to teach 9/11 to students too young to remember
The death of Osama bin Laden was the ultimate teachable moment, but it has left teachers, parents and educators scrambling to tell the story of Sept. 11 and the career of the world's most wanted terrorist to a new generation of schoolchildren — many of whom were not even born when the planes crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Published May 10, 2011
For-profit colleges defend their stature
These aren't your parents' colleges. There are typically no sprawling campuses, no fraternities or sororities, no students reading books under trees and no sports teams. Published May 4, 2011
Chamber pushes GOP-backed reforms for nation’s schools
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday called on Congress to speed up its efforts to reform federal education policy and released a broad outline of priorities it says are crucial to student success across the country. Published May 4, 2011
Spellings: Politics, lack of knowledge hurt school reform
Ten years ago, former President George W. Bush's signature education initiative, the No Child Left Behind Act, garnered strong bipartisan support and passed the Senate on an 87-10 vote. As Congress now starts work on a policy overhaul, that "planetary alignment" between the parties is nowhere to be found. Published May 2, 2011
States leaving feds behind on school reforms
A growing number of states are not waiting for the federal government's lead in overhauling education. This year alone, 36 states have either passed or are considering comprehensive legislation on school vouchers, tax credits and other reform measures. Published April 28, 2011
