Kids Pick Their Own Books in Classroom Revolution

City sets new Facebook rules

(NEWSER) - Facing growing controversy over teachers contacting students online, New York City is taking matters into its own hands: The city has created its first set of rules regarding how teachers should operate on Facebook and beyond. Teachers are forbidden from "friending" students on Facebook and following them on Twitter, NPR reports. They are, however, allowed to have professional Facebook pages that the kids can follow. More»

No. 1 is Alexandria, Virginia

(NEWSER) - If you think America's bookworms live in New York or San Francisco, think again. Amazon has released its list of the country's 20 most well-read cities, and they hail from such states as Michigan and Florida, reports Reuters . Top honors goes to Virginia's Alexandria, and though Berkeley and Cambridge do indeed make the top five, they're joined by Ann Arbor and Boulder. Wait til you see who's sixth: More»

...said student is 18

(AP) - Arkansas 18-year-olds can now freely engage in sex with their teachers. The state's Supreme Court yesterday struck down the state's law banning sexual contact between teachers and students, finding that people 18 or older have a constitutional right to engage in a consensual sexual relationship. The court sided with 38-year-old David Paschal, an Elkins High School history and psychology teacher who admitted having a five-month consensual sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student. More»

But some teachers worry it will halt new forms of teaching

(NEWSER) - Teachers Facebooking students: Usually not a good idea . And soon, in Virginia, it may not be allowed. The state's Board of Education is voting on a policy this week that would restrict teacher-student interaction via social networks, online games, and text messages, unless such interaction is through a platform provided by the school. If the guidelines are approved, the Board says they will not be forced on schools—simply encouraged—but some educators are concerned such a recommended policy will make it more difficult to use social learning or technology in class. More»

California group trying to force school to become charter

(NEWSER) - Two dispatches from the education front, both speaking to underperforming students and angry parents:

• In Compton, California: Parents are trying to take advantage of a new state law to force their chronically awful school to be taken over by a charter operation. Advocates easily got the necessary 51% support of parents. The case is being closely watched because it essentially creates a "union for parents" to go up against teachers, explains the New York Times. It would be the first such action in the nation, and education chief Arne Duncan is in favor. Full story here .