V-Word Gets Teens Suspended

System rewards as much as $50 for A's—and half depends on graduation

(NEWSER) - Chicago public high schools are paying students for good grades under a program funded partly by Harvard University, the Tribune reports. Freshmen get $50 for A’s, $35 for B’s and $20 for C’s, with half their earnings held until they graduate. Some 20 other Chicago-area schools, encompassing about 1,650 students, are participating in the program, which also relies on private donations. More»

Parents outraged, rebellious kids keep embracing in protest

(NEWSER) - The Brooklyn Prospect Charter School is cracking down on that most deviant of tween behaviors: hugging. The school has instituted a rule banning hugs in the hallways, outraging many students and teachers, the Brooklyn Paper reports. Though the rule was purportedly instituted after a sixth-grader said a hug from an older student had made her uncomfortable, students say the real reason is because some students were blocking the hallways with big group hugs. More»

Want a job? Avoid fine art, according to 'Daily Beast' list

(NEWSER) - Hey, college students: If your life plans include getting an actual job, you may want to avoid the stars of the Daily Beast 's "most useless" majors list. Majors are ranked in terms of employment, taking into account unemployment rates among recent and experienced grads, earnings, and likely job growth this decade. The list contains a few surprises—sure, fine arts won't get you far, but neither will hospitality management:

1. Fine arts (12.6% unemployment among recent grads; recent grads earn an average $30,000)
2. Drama and theater arts (7.8%, $26,000)

Bizarre story befuddles New York students, teachers

(NEWSER) - No amount of studying could prepare students to assess the wisdom of a talking pineapple, but that's what New York kids were asked to do on a state test. The eighth-grade reading exam offered a fable-like story about a pineapple challenging a hare to a race. Other animals weigh in, and finally, the pineapple gets eaten. Eighth-graders were asked to pick the wisest character—then explain why the pineapple met its gruesome fate. Students' success on the test will be used, in part, to review staff performance, the New York Daily News reports. More»

Massachusetts measure would include counseling

(NEWSER) - In a 5-1 preliminary vote, a school committee for a Massachusetts town has approved providing free condoms to students ages 12 and older. The service, which requires a second vote for final approval, would provide the condoms through Springfield school nurses and clinics. Those given the contraceptives would receive counseling in abstinence and how to use the condoms safely. Parents would be allowed to opt out of the service for their children, the Republican reports. "We can’t stick our heads in the sand any more," said the committee's vice-chair. More»