According to an article in the April 8 issue of Time, A new study suggests kids might do better on standardized tests if they
were paid for some school tasks. Harvard economist and educational researcher Roland Fryer created a scientific study in 4 US cities. The results are surprising teachers and politicians alike.

Ready for the next stage of scientism and technopoly in education? The new techno-savior is (drumroll) the iPhone (and other smartphone-like devices). This month's Fast Company contains a starry-eyed paean to the new solution for all our educational ills."American children now spend 7.5 hours a day absorbing and creating media
-- as much time as they spend in school. Even more remarkably, they
multitask across screens to cram 11 hours of content into those 7.5

The Illinois House has passed a bill to allow school districts to have four-day weeks in their schools. It's a move predicated on budget shortfalls in school districts, and the transportation savings alone would be in the millions. It means, however, an even greater emphasis on "clock-hours." Students would be required to have 880 hours of school per year.