Quick Hits

California's oldest principal says children haven't changed much: After 64 years as an educator, Sacramento Principal Virginia Grabbe, 84, is retiring this summer after receiving a preliminary layoff notice and deciding to retire instead. "I fell in love with it," Grabbe said of teaching her first class in 1945. "It's been that way ever since." (The Sacramento Bee)

Student-tracking system may become national model: Montgomery County, Md., high-school senior Duane Wilson credits an automatic tracking system that sent his mother notes when he started getting D's with ensuring he got into college. The high-tech data system and others like it could be coming soon to schools around the country as states pledge to implement such technology to become eligible for education stimulus funds. (The Wall Street Journal)

Dallas schools to borrow $100 million to make ends meet: Dangerously low reserves will require Dallas school officials to borrow $100 million -- at a cost of about $1 million in interest -- until it receives its next round of state funding. Budget-saving measures begun this school year should prevent a similar problem from developing next year, said the district's executive chief financial officer. (The Dallas Morning News)

Philadelphia school privatization said to be ineffective: An effort that placed 28 Philadelphia schools in the hands of private managers at a cost of $100 million has produced mixed results. The private providers may be retained to offer supportive student services rather than manage the schools, a district administrator said. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

New Jersey to study personalized learning plans: The New Jersey Department of Education is testing individual student-learning plans at 16 middle and high schools. Starting in the fall, every sixth- and ninth-grader will get a personalized plan with academic, career and personal goals. The results at the schools will help educators determine whether to implement the program statewide beginning in the sixth grade. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Web site allows students to anonymously report bullying: Hillsborough County, Fla., officials will soon launch a Web site that allows students who are afraid to bring up bullying to anonymously report incidents. A school board member said the goal is to bring these incidents to the forefront to help students. (The Tampa Tribune)

Schools scramble to keep up with demand for free lunches: With record numbers of students getting free and reduced-price lunches, many U.S. districts are struggling to keep up with demand. While the cost to districts averages $2.92 per free lunch, schools receive just $2.57 in federal reimbursement, according to the School Nutrition Association. Some states pitch in extra, but many schools are stretching budgets to make up the difference. (USA TODAY)

Personal-finance class prepares teens for life after graduation: A New York high school is teaching its juniors and seniors about college loans, buying a car and other personal-finance topics as part of a semester-long course required for graduation. The course's teachers incorporate student input into lesson plans and try to focus on issues that teens will encounter soon after graduation. (Newsday)