Digital Curriculum Results in Greater Success for At-Risk Students (Digital Journal) – Boston Public Schools has reported its lowest dropout rate ever this year, and has given some of the credit to its unique use of online courses. Working with Apex Learning since 2007, Boston provides online courses that are targeted to at risk students to help get them more engaged with their education and staying in school. So far the program appears to be helping.
World Bank to finance advanced STEM education in Africa (Htxt) – The World Bank has granted $150 million to the African Centers of Excellence (a group of 19 African universities) to help improve STEM education in Africa. The goal is to help Africans gain the skills needed to research and address the problems that are unique to their specific country or region.
Warmer temperatures lift U.S. economy (Philly.com) – After months of steady but slow growth, held back in part by the harsh and prolonged winter, the U.S. economy finally appears to growing at a faster rate. March saw many states, and the nation as a whole, reach their lowest unemployment rates in six years.
Searching The Planet To Find Power For The Cloud (NPR) – Given the vast amount of energy required to power a cloud computing data center, some companies such as Facebook are looking for ways to improve their efficiency. In one example Facebook has built a data center just outside the Arctic Circle in Sweden to take advantage of the naturally cool air to save energy.
NAEP Crafts Plans to Deploy Tablets for Testing (Education Week) – Federal administrators of the National Assessment of Education Progress are planning to use tablets to administer the test phasing them in by 2017. Due to short time frame of the test officials are planning to rent tablets so that students have a standardized platform for taking the tests.
