Quick Hits

Redouble High School Improvement Push, States Told: More attention is needed on college and career readiness, according to groups representing governors, state superintendents, legislatures, and school boards. (Education Week)

Senate hearing Tuesday spotlights school reform: Barack Obama's choice for education secretary, Arne Duncan, faces questions about his commitment to school reform at a Senate confirmation hearing. (Yahoo)

Pa. Cyber Charter Schools Feeling Economy: (Ed Week)
Early-Literacy Findings Unveiled: Teaching small children about letters and sounds before they begin formal schooling helps them develop a broad range of literacy skills, a new report says. (Ed Week)

2 groups merge to focus on education: Two nationally recognized Kentucky non-profit organizations have merged in an initiative to improve the performance of schools across the state.The NewCities Institute, created in 2001 by the Kentucky League of Cities, and the Partnership for Successful Schools, launched by state business leaders in 1991, announced Monday that they have merged to form the Partnership at NewCities. (H-L)

Educators call for school funding as key stimulus ingredient: The American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and American Association of School Administrators are urging Congress and President-elect Obama to ensure education funding is part of the 2009 stimulus package. (PPW.org)

Private Schools Pinched as Aid Requests Rise: (Ed Week)

Historically Black College fights for survival: Atlanta's Morris Brown college struggles to survive in the midst of a financial crisis and a six-year struggle to regain lost accreditation. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

NCES data show 1 in 7 American adults lack Basic Reading Skills: ... the National Center for Education Statistics released State by State estimates and projections of Adult Literacy. The data shows that 1 in 7 American adults lack basic reading skills. [2003 report] (The Wichita NAACP blog)