Americans Blame Parents and Elected Officials for Poor Student and School Performance. Civil Rights Groups Take Action Against Texas Board Curriculum.

In an AP-Stanford University poll, 78 percent of respondents think it should be easier to fire bad teachers, 57 percent say teachers are paid too little, and more than half are more critical of parents and federal, state, and local education officials.  Fewer than 1 in 5 say salaries should be based only on how well students do on statewide testing.

From the "It's about time" department:

From e-School: Two civil-rights groups are seeking a federal review of public school education in Texas, accusing state administrators of violating federal civil-rights laws as a result of social studies curriculum changes approved last year by the Texas Board of Education.  The request asked that implementation of the social studies curriculum changes and new standardized tests be stopped for being racially or ethnically offensive or historically inaccurate. They accused the board of mis-education of minority students and rules leading to underrepresentation of minorities in gifted and talented school programs. Also for using accountability standards to impose sanctions on schools with high numbers of minority students.

NAACP President Gary Bledsoe said "this is like in your face, like showing the ultimate in disrespect...to suggest the positive aspects of slavery or to exalt Jefferson Davis of the Confederacy is just an abomination."