Quick Hits

Third-graders take science learning into the field: Students from one Massachusetts elementary school are taking traditional classroom science lessons into the field, thanks to a program sponsored by the South Shore Natural Science Center. The outreach program takes third-grade students on fall and spring hikes through a local nature preserve, where they receive firsthand lessons in such concepts as the food chain, the water cycle and adaptation. The students record changes from season to season. (The Boston Globe)

Teachers seek collaboration, parental involvement, study shows: Schools should work to involve parents more in education and allow enough time for professional development, teacher collaboration and planning, according to the results of a recent survey of teachers in Vermont. Teachers also reported that they want more input in education policy -- one goal of the survey, according to the Vermont-National Education Association, which conducted the research. (The Burlington Free Press)

Fifth-graders become investors with stock-market program: A group of fifth-graders from one Maryland elementary school are part of the beta-testing team for an Internet-based platform for stock trading being developed by Kapitall.com. The students worked with the development team on the program, which uses game-based technology and allows users to create "practice portfolios." Many of the students were able realize virtual financial gains with the program, which is aimed at encouraging more young people, video-game enthusiasts and women to invest in the stock market. (USA TODAY)

Legislators question key aspects of Obama's education reform: Lawmakers are questioning aspects of two key programs in the Obama adminstration's efforts to reform the nation's schools. Some legislators involved in the rewrite of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act argue that the four school-turnaround strategies approved under the federal School Improvement Grant program are unproven and may not be feasible for many rural schools. A proposal to expand the federal Race to the Top program is also under fire, with legislators questioning the program's scoring criteria. (Education Week)

First batch of graduates from Mass. school is headed to college: Every member of the first class of 77 graduates from the Springfield, Mass., Renaissance School has been accepted to college, earning $2.1 million in scholarships combined. The school, which opened in 2006 and primarily serves students from low-income households, is the first public school in the city to achieve a 100% college-bound rate. (MassLive.com)

Memphis, Tenn., program aims to teach students how to be smart: Fifteen middle-school students from Memphis, Tenn., are participating in a program to become "envoys" to teach their fellow students that academic success is not for the elite few, but instead can be attained by anyone willing to work hard enough. The district hopes to have student envoys in at least 50 city schools by this fall with the goal of instilling confidence, self-esteem and improving the overall learning culture. The program is being funded as part of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (The Commercial Appeal)

Cincinnati will place top teachers in struggling schools: Ohio's Cincinnati Public Schools district will begin placing its best teachers in its worst schools through a career-training program. Eight teachers will participate next school year, but the program could eventually expand to 426 teachers. District officials say the move will save money and help students, but one teacher being reassigned says it is a violation of her contract. "I'm not saying I wouldn't want to work at a [lower-performing] school, but I feel I would want to have a choice to work there," she said. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

More schools are embracing social media despite concerns: Social-networking tools such as Facebook, Skype and Twitter -- once widely scorned by schools because of concerns over student conduct and privacy -- have become popular vehicles for engaging students in innovative lessons, promoting schools and spurring collaboration and professional development among teachers. Many hurdles remain, however, as schools work to develop policies on safe and appropriate use of the tools by students and teachers alike. (Education Week)

Special-needs kindergartners to use iPads for literacy learning: Kindergarten students with special needs at one Connecticut elementary school will have access to literacy software on iPad devices in the classroom next year, thanks to a $500 mini-grant from the Southington Education Foundation. The iPad was chosen for its large screen and display projector, teacher Patrice Clynes said. (The Bristol Press)