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| Live from London: Experience Real British English on Mercari - Easy & Safe Shopp |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (20 reads) | |
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For language learners and enthusiasts of british culture, accessing authentic, colloquial english often requires resources that move beyond standard textbook dialogues. Publications like live from london: ?????????????! (Enjoying raw british english) have long served as a bridge for japanese speakers seeking to grasp the nuances of the united kingdom’s linguistic landscape. These materials focus on the rhythmic, idiomatic, and sometimes regional variations of the language as it is actually spoken in london, rather than the idealized versions found in traditional academic curricula.
marketplaces such as mercari provide a secondary life for these educational resources, allowing students to acquire specific study guides and language media at a fraction of their original retail price. As the demand for practical, real-world english proficiency grows, the secondary market for specialized language learning books remains a consistent hub for consumers looking to supplement their studies with cost-effective, peer-vetted materials.
the evolution of language learning materials the pedagogical shift toward “raw” or “natural” english—often referred to as authentic input—has changed how learners approach the british dialect. According to the british council , exposure to diverse accents and idiomatic expressions is essential for developing functional fluency. Books that capture the informal, rapid-fire nature of london speech allow students to better understand the social cues and cultural contexts that define communication in the capital.
unlike standard grammar guides, these niche publications often break down common contractions, slang, and phrasal verbs that are ubiquitous in daily british life but frequently omitted from formal instruction. By utilizing secondary marketplaces, learners can access a wider variety of these specific titles, including those that may have gone out of print or are no longer distributed through major commercial retailers. This accessibility ensures that specialized learning content remains available to a global community of students.
secondary market dynamics for educational media the secondary market for educational books operates on the principle of circular economy, where the value of a textbook or language guide persists long after its initial purchase. Platforms like mercari facilitate this by connecting current students with former learners who have already completed their courses. For the buyer, this provides an opportunity to purchase high-demand linguistic guides at significantly reduced rates, often with the added benefit of user reviews that attest to the book’s effectiveness.
data from the statista research department indicates that the second-hand market in japan continues to see robust activity, driven by a combination of sustainability consciousness and fiscal pragmatism. When applied to the niche sector of english language learning, this trend allows for a more democratic distribution of knowledge. Students can curate a library of diverse resources—ranging from phonetic guides to cultural commentaries—without the financial burden typically associated with importing specialized educational imports.
practical tips for sourcing language guides when searching for titles like live from london on digital marketplaces, prospective buyers should prioritize listings that provide clear photographs of the book’s condition, particularly the state of any accompanying audio media. Many language guides rely on cd or digital download codes for listening practice; verifying the inclusion of these assets is critical before completing a purchase.
learn real-life british english – in london! | English comprehensible input furthermore, checking the publication date is essential for language learners. While the core tenets of british english remain relatively stable, slang and cultural references evolve rapidly. For those seeking the most relevant linguistic experience, identifying editions that offer contemporary insights into london life will provide the greatest utility. By cross-referencing titles with current academic recommendations from institutions such as the university college london centre for languages & international education , students can ensure their chosen materials align with modern usage.
strategic use of authentic english content to maximize the utility of these books, learners are encouraged to pair their reading with active listening. The goal is to bridge the gap between written text and the spoken reality of the uk. Experts in second language acquisition often highlight that consistent, low-stakes exposure—such as listening to regional radio or podcasts alongside reading localized guides—significantly improves auditory comprehension.
as these books circulate through the secondary market, they continue to serve as vital tools for those unable to immerse themselves physically in the uk. By integrating these resources into a structured study plan, learners can effectively simulate a london-based linguistic environment from anywhere in the world. Whether you are preparing for an academic exchange or simply aiming to refine your conversational skills, the availability of these specific guides remains a significant asset in the global pursuit of english proficiency.
for further updates on language learning methodologies and resource availability, readers are encouraged to monitor announcements from educational publishers and language research institutions. Feel free to share your own experiences with authentic british english resources in the comments section below. |
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| With energy and purpose, Ian Kelly takes the helm at Escondido High |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (9 reads) | |
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When you talk to ian kelly, it’s hard not to think that escondido high made a sage decision when it named him the school’s new head football coach in late january.
how it all will turn out remains to be seen. Will kelly be able to produce solid results on the field? Will he prove effective in player development? Can he establish a meaningful culture as the incoming leader of the cougars?
on the surface the 31-year-old kelly checks a lot of the boxes.
for starters, he expresses a genuine love for the local community, his school, and the young men he will be guiding on the gridiron.
as for his exploits on the field, kelly has showed he had what it takes. At chaparral high in temecula, he shined as an all-cif defensive lineman. Kelly continued his football journey as a player at palomar college before moving onto colorado state university at pueblo, a highly regarded division 2 squad.
turning to coaching experience: a one-time defensive coach at palomar, for the last six seasons he has toiled as an assistant at esco under three different head coaches, including the respected stephen dixon, kelly’s immediate predecessor. If anyone has seen and observed the program up close and personal, it’s kelly.
his youth is an asset, too. There is a palpable passion, enthusiasm and energy about him that should work to both his and the team’s advantage.
moreover, kelly has some definite ideas about what will be the points of emphasis under his direction.
weight lifting will have a major impact in kelly’s plans. He is a firm believer that a team’s culture and actual bonding can be fostered in the weight room.
developing consistent and stout offensive and defensive line play will also be paramount. These are areas that must prove to be strengths. “Games are won and lost in the trenches,” says kelly. “We have to get good upfront.”
another way this young coach will demonstrate an old school mentality is to make sure his squad competes with a tangible physicality. Practices will be geared toward ruggedness and competitiveness. He wants playing hard to become second nature.
as for specifics: the cougs will operate out of a pro set offense with heavy focus on the running game. Look for the athletic jj bejar to get plenty of work toting the rock.
meanwhile, esco will feature a stack 3-3 deployment with multiple fronts on defense. Given his background, it comes as no surprise that kelly has chosen to run the show on that side of the ball. Kelly knows exactly what he ultimately envisions: “i want us to be fast, smart and playing with a high iq.”
a defender to keep an eye on will be 6-3, 230-pound cainen whitaker, a real standout at end.
as a special education teacher at esco, kelly feels it’s a plus that he’s visible to the general student body and not just his players. This deepens his connection and affinity for the school itself and all those present there.
right now, it appears 50 to 60 candidates will turn out when the cougars commence with preseason practice, scheduled to start july 31. And though the cougars are coming off a tough 2-9 season – in large part because of the loss of star players who elected to transfer out – kelly doesn’t underestimate his team’s current personnel. “I definitely feel we will be able to compete this year,” he says.
though kelly will demand attention to detail and earnest effort, he also wants his players to enjoy the ride. “Hey, i want them to have fun, too,” he explains. “I want them to get excited, let loose and express themselves as long as it’s done in the right way.”
to date, the coach is pleased with the way things have gone and how the players have embraced his program. “I just love the way the kids have bought in,” says kelly. “That has been very rewarding to see.”
kelly and his staff, including holdovers from last season, realize they have a great responsibility in mentoring esco’s gridders. They don’t take the job lightly. Not only are they tasked with getting their charges to grow as football players but at such a formative age, kelly and his lieutenants want to ensure character development is also a vital piece of the puzzle. “We need to put the kids first,” says kelly, “so that they know we care about them as people as well.”
the work won’t be easy but kelly embraces it with the conviction of a coach who believes culture can change everything. Cougars bruised by last season but buoyed by fresh energy have already begun to mirror kelly’s urgency and intent.
if kelly’s vision takes root – tough in the trenches, unity in the weight room, joy in the grind – esco won’t just be competing, they’ll be climbing.
as a new chapter begins, the story of ian kelly and the cougars is about to get very interesting. |
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| Analysis: 398 of 511 students at Woodland Hills Elementary School not on "c |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (8 reads) | |
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Analysis: 398 of 511 students at woodland hills elementary school not on college track in 2023-24 school year
of the 511 students at woodland hills elementary school in kingwood, 398 (78%) weren’t on track for college in the 2023-24 school year, according to houston republics analysis of staar scores from the texas education agency (tea).
the tea considers students to be on track for college if they demonstrate mastery of the course content through the state of texas assessments of academic readiness (staar). Students who meet, but do not master their grade level are prepared to progress to the next grade, but not yet on college track.
in the 2023-24 school year, woodland hills elementary schools student population was made up of 511 students, of which 248 were white, 205 hispanic, 30 african american, 17 multiracial, six asian, and five pacific islander students.
data shows that 16.7% of woodland hills elementary school’s asian students (1), 22.9% of its hispanic students (47), 23% of its white students (57), 17.6% of its multiracial students (3) and 13.3% of its african american students (4) had mastered their grade level that year and were on track for college and career readiness, as measured by state academic standards.
in the 2022-23 school year, the tea noted that 432 woodland hills elementary school students - equivalent to 79% of the student population - were not on the academic path to college eligibility. This contrasts with 2023-24, when the percentage stood at 78%, marking a 1% decrease from the previous year.
a recent study by wallethub classified texas as one of the least-educated states in the u.S., Ranking it 41st out of 50 in educational quality and student outcomes.
underfunding is a frequently cited challenge facing the states school district. According to a 2024 report from the texas education agency, per-pupil funding has not increased since 2019, despite inflation rates rising by more than 20% since then.
“as a result, many districts in our very own central texas region are being forced to cut back on essential programs, services, consider school closures, and adopt deficit budgets just to provide students with the education that they deserve,” hutto isd trustee james matlock stated in an interview.
| school | total students | % on college track |
|---|---|---|
| atascocita high school | 3,748 | 18% |
| atascocita middle school | 985 | 15% |
| atascocita springs elementary school | 914 | 21% |
| autumn creek elementary school | 866 | 14% |
| bear branch elementary school | 656 | 30% |
| centennial elementary school | 957 | 16% |
| creekwood middle school | 1,081 | 30% |
| deerwood elementary school | 643 | 22% |
| eagle springs elementary school | 651 | 19% |
| elm grove elementary school | 620 | 15% |
| fall creek elementary school | 816 | 26% |
| foster elementary school | 567 | 13% |
| greentree elementary school | 663 | 18% |
| groves elementary school | 1,030 | 31% |
| guy m. Sconzo early college high school | 474 | 24% |
| hidden hollow elementary school | 466 | 24% |
| humble elementary school | 644 | 15% |
| humble high school | 2,908 | 9% |
| humble middle school | 1,312 | 8% |
| jack m. Fields senior elementary school | 642 | 7% |
| kingwood high school | 2,889 | 35% |
| kingwood middle school | 994 | 19% |
| kingwood park high school | 1,890 | 22% |
| lakeland elementary school | 858 | 10% |
| lakeshore elementary school | 864 | 12% |
| maplebrook elementary school | 550 | 12% |
| middle #10 | 1,169 | 10% |
| north belt elementary school | 699 | 10% |
| oak forest elementary school | 736 | 10% |
| oaks elementary school | 558 | 8% |
| park lakes elementary school | 717 | 7% |
| pineforest elementary school | 600 | 19% |
| ridge creek elementary school | 1,196 | 9% |
| river pines elementary school | 717 | 8% |
| riverwood middle school | 1,142 | 42% |
| ross sterling middle school | 894 | 9% |
| shadow forest elementary school | 631 | 25% |
| summer creek high school | 3,748 | 16% |
| summerwood elementary school | 625 | 23% |
| timbers elementary school | 596 | 8% |
| timberwood middle school | 1,051 | 15% |
| westlake middle school | 1,496 | 18% |
| whispering pines elementary school | 650 | 10% |
| willow creek elementary school | 570 | 38% |
| woodcreek middle school | 1,122 | 25% |
| woodland hills elementary school | 511 | 22% | |
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| Top science research jobs lack diversity. A California college program aims to c |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (8 reads) | |
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By brittany oceguera
for tré willingham, pursuing a doctorate degree at uc irvine has felt isolating at times. Often the only black student in his science classes, he recalls being the last one to be chosen when activities required a lab partner. He also has never had a black professor. “It’s very disheartening to never see anyone that looks like you,” said willingham, who studies applied physics. “It makes it hard to believe that you can get there and especially get there and actually be yourself.”
for willingham and students like him, the state-funded cal-bridge program is helping them pursue their dreams of landing a doctorate in the sciences and joining the next generation of stem professors. The program provides financial support, research opportunities and diverse mentors of similar backgrounds. Such mentors make “it much easier to start to navigate these spaces and also believe that you can get to the other end,” willingham said.
cal-bridge was founded in 2014 to help undergraduates at cal state campuses pursue a doctorate in stem in partnership with the university of california, helping to close the diversity gap in science fields. About 70% of the program’s 406 students have been admitted to doctorate programs. Three quarters of the program’s students are of color, almost half are women, and nearly two-thirds are first generation.
studies have noted that the climate of stem higher education programs is often unwelcoming for some minority populations. Women make up over half of the undergraduate student population at cal state campuses, yet account for only 36% of the system’s stem students. At uc campuses, only 24% of stem undergraduates are latino or hispanic, 4% are african american and 1% are american indian.
from cal-bridge’s first cohort of five undergraduate students, the program has grown to support about 60 each year. It has expanded from astronomy and physics to now include computer science and math. Students in the program can receive stipends, tuition assistance, mentorship and professional development.
but the journey to diversifying the stem teaching field is very long.
so far, 15 cal-bridge participants have earned a doctorate. It takes students about eight years after joining cal-bridge, usually done during their junior year, to complete a doctorate — two years as an undergraduate and six years to complete their doctorate education.
democratic assemblymember david alvarez of chula vista introduced assembly bill 2660 in april to codify cal-bridge as a coordinated partnership between community colleges, cal state universities and university of california campuses. Rudolph hopes that will help secure annual or multi-year funding for cal-bridge in lieu of making requests each year.
alvarez told calmatters that as the federal administration cut back on student loans and grants for hispanic-serving institutions, california should do more to support its students.
“the lack of representation from first-generation students in the ph.D. Level of education speaks for itself,” said alvarez. “We need to do something in california to demonstrate that we still believe that we have strength in diversity of our ph.Ds, of our academia, and this (assembly bill) is one way to try.”
financial assistance allows students to prioritize academics
willingham, the uc irvine student, hadn’t considered pursuing a doctorate earlier in his life. Now 31, the first-generation scholar is pursuing his doctorate with the goal of one day becoming a professor.
“no one around me was a doctor of anything,” said willingham about his family and friends growing up.
willingham grew up in littleton, colorado where he attended columbine high school. After high school, his father, who had served in the air force, and willingham moved to atlanta. In 2017, he moved to california where he began his higher education journey. He is now the father of two children, ages 12 and two, balancing family time with his studies.
today, willingham’s research focuses on creating new quantum materials and exploring how they could be used in future sensors and electronic devices.
cal-bridge has four programs: undergraduate, summer research, doctoral and postdoctoral. The undergraduate program is open to stem students at cal state campuses and community college students who plan to transfer to a cal state. It receives up to 100 applications per year; about 60 students were accepted this past year.
willingham attended el camino college and compton college simultaneously to finish his associate degree quickly, then joined cal-bridge’s undergraduate program after transferring to cal poly pomona. There, the program gave him $10,000 during each of his junior and senior years, which helped him get a car to commute to school from los angeles and stay focused by working fewer hours as a tutor.
“i was able to just sort of focus my attention a little better, not having to always think about how i’m going to pay the next bill,” said willingham.
later in cal-bridge’s doctoral program, willingham received $40,000 in financial support for his first year of graduate school at uc irvine. He used $16,000 to pay his tuition and the rest for living expenses.
mentorship helps students find their place in stem
it took dr. Katy rodriguez wimberly, a cal-bridge alum, 13 years to become a research faculty member. She is now an astrophysics assistant professor at cal state san bernardino. Wimberly researches near-field cosmology, studying neighboring galaxies that may be some of the first ever formed.
“it’s almost like galactic archaeology, like i’m looking at these little almost-fossil galaxies to learn more about the early universe and where everything came from,” said wimberly. She is also now the director of mentorship for cal-bridge. During her junior year as an undergraduate, she joined cal-bridge’s first cohort, helping her imagine what being an astronomer would be like.
the mentors and the program’s monthly workshops showed her that while she didn’t see many latina women like her teaching stem on her campus, she could do it. When she was an undergraduate at cal state long beach, she said, there were only two women professors from about 20 faculty in her department, and none of them black or latino.
cal-bridge provided latino mentors she wasn’t finding anywhere else.
“it wasn’t like they were teaching me in a classroom, but they did kind of provide that cultural and kind of identity support,” said wimberly.
wimberly had applied to 11 doctorate programs as a senior undergraduate and was denied by all of them. Next, she applied and was accepted to cal state long beach to pursue a master’s in physics. There, she raised her gpa, reapplied to doctorate programs and was accepted to uc irvine. She graduated in 2021 with her doctorate in physics.
at uc irvine, wimberly created a peer mentorship program for cal-bridge students as a way for alumni and graduate students of the program to support the undergraduate students. Mentors and mentees meet in small groups once a month, as well as have one-on-one meetings.
“i structured it in a way to be more like, this is just your older cousin that’s telling you how to get through things,” wimberly said.
after she finished her doctorate, she had a three-year, full-time fellowship with the national science foundation. She served at uc riverside with her former mentor, laura sales, an astronomer from argentina and associate professor at the university.
learning from sales made her feel more comfortable embracing her identity as a latina. Sales taught her that she didn’t have to be an expert in all areas of astronomy, but that she would work alongside experts in different areas.
now as a professor herself for the last three years at cal state san bernardino, wimberly offers the same mentorship to her students. Anytime she sees a latina student who doesn’t have support from someone with a similar background, she tries to provide that support.
“just because i know it can be so difficult,” said wimberly.
claire rogers, a student at uc irvine pursuing a doctorate in physics, knew she wanted to attend graduate school, but she didn’t realize how isolating the experience would be as the only woman in the room. She is a cal-bridge doctorate scholar researching observational astrophysics, looking for planets outside of the solar system to determine if there is life on those planets. She also focuses on how stellar astrophysics affects measurements when looking for planets.
rogers was an undergraduate at cal poly humboldt and joined cal-bridge during the first year the program expanded to her campus.
“cal-bridge was really helpful for providing a network of students at the same phase of their career at different csu campuses but still working towards similar goals,” said rogers.
she said that since the department on her campus was small, cal-bridge allowed her to connect with students at other campuses who were in similar positions.
the program provided her two mentors, a professor at her campus and a professor at uc berkeley. The program also offered her guidance in applying for graduate school.
“i’m sure it made a huge difference in my grad school essays, getting that feedback,” rogers said.
rogers participated in an undergraduate summer research program at the university of wyoming through cal-bridge, where she dabbled in astrophysics research for the first time. Cal-bridge’s summer program is open to community college and cal state undergraduate students and allows students to participate in research projects at partner institutions. Out of around 200 applications, only 50 to 60 students get accepted to the summer program.
“i really like spending time at a telescope … and dealing with all of the problems that come up when you are running a telescope overnight,” she said.
she was usually the only woman in her undergraduate classes, and in graduate school there were only three women in her cohort of 22 students.
“i got very accustomed to being the only woman in a room,” said rogers.
she mentioned feeling isolated during her first year at uc irvine, noticing that her classmates rarely showed up when she organized study groups and that the men in her lab would change the conversation when she entered the room.
“i had a really hard time my first year with reconciling that i felt very unwelcome,” said rogers.
she eventually found a support network outside of her original cohort, getting closer to other doctoral scholars in cal-bridge and having monthly movie nights together.
“cal-bridge has made a huge difference to my career and my, sort of, finding my space in this field,” said rogers.
rogers hopes to one day become a professor and be able to teach while continuing her research in observational astrophysics.
“when i was new to physics it made a big difference for me to have women professors,” said rogers. “I think it’s important for future students to also have that resource and that support, and i would like to be able to provide that.” |
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| Court denies reopening lawsuit that ended Texas Dream Act |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (10 reads) | |
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Texas — a federal appeals court on thursday struck down a school- and student-led attempt at reopening a 2025 lawsuit that declared the texas dream act unconstitutional.
students for affordable tuition (sat), la union del pueblo entero (lupe), austin community college (acc) and former university of north texas student oscar silva made “motions to intervene” in last year’s decision on the texas dream act, according to the ruling from the court of appeals for the fifth circuit.
the act, established in 2001, provided in-state tuition to undocumented students if they’d lived in texas for three years before graduating high school. Last year, the u.S. Justice department sued texas over the law on the grounds that the state act violated federal law. Then-attorney general ken paxton repealed it through an agreement with the department.
a 2-1 ruling denied the appeal for intervention from sat, lupe, acc and silva. Judge jerry smith, writing for the majority opinion, agreed with last year’s action, stating “federal law preempts provisions of texas law authorizing” in-state tuition rates for undocumented students.
that federal law also states that undocumented students cannot receive tuition benefits unless “out-of-state u.S. Citizens” are also eligible.
“texas and the trump doj just secured another major victory for the rule of law,” gov. Greg abbott said in an x post thursday evening. “The fifth circuit upheld the end of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in texas.”
rochelle garza, president of the texas civil rights project, said in a statement that her organization “is extremely disappointed” in the denial and “will continue working diligently to fight” for undocumented students.
“for nearly 25 years, the republican-led state legislature understood that investing in all students was an investment in the state’s economic future,” garza said. “Texas students and their opportunity to access a more affordable higher education have propelled our economy forward for the last two decades, and they are pivotal to our shared future. Our state should continue to prioritize economic prosperity and access to higher education for all, regardless of citizenship status.” |
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| Censorship and Unlearning Liberty at College: Q&A with FIREs Greg Lukianoff |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (9 reads) | |
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The...Idea that if you just let people talk, it will be this pit of racist pandemonium...Is sort of childish and it oversimplifies. But it is a great justification for having a lot of power over speech, says greg lukianoff, the president of the foundation for individual rights in education (fire).
lukianoff spoke with reason tvs nick gillespie about his new book unlearning liberty: campus censorship and the end of american debate, where he details the slow and steady withering of free expression on americas college campuses.
in some ways, the modern on-campus free-speech movement dates back to 1993s water buffalo incident at the university of pennsylvania, where a student was brought up on racial harassment charges for using the term water buffalo as an insult. That case led directly to the founding of fire, which defends free speech, due process and basic rights on campus.
a stanford law-trained liberal who blogs at the huffington post, lukianoff insists that by restricting controversial or potentially offensive speech, youre putting people into echo chambers where they only interact with people with whom they already agree. That sort of groupthink is dangerous to a free society, says lukianoff, but its particularly appalling to see it instituted at the nations colleges and universities, where the free exchange of ideas is supposed to be the whole point of higher education.
runs about 16 minutes.
produced by anthony l. Fisher. Camera by jim epstein and fisher.
subscribe to reason tvs youtube channel to get automatic notifications when new material goes live. |
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| NPS Annual Report: Strong academic and extracurricular performance, racial dispa |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (8 reads) | |
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Newton public schools showed consistently strong performance across test scores, attendance and other academic indicators — despite continued racial disparities amongst minority student groups — in an annual report published for the 2025-2026 school year.
the report has been released near the end of the academic year for the past few years as a way to highlight growth in the district as well as point out areas for improvement. The report was officially announced at a school committee meeting on april 29.
“i am acutely aware that many in our community are asking hard and fair questions: are newton public schools delivering results that justify the investment we make? Are we improving student outcomes in ways that are measurable, meaningful, and equitable? This report is designed to answer those questions clearly and honestly,” superintendent anna nolin said in the report’s introduction.
the report is structured around the district’s thrive 2030 plan, a roadmap with the goal of supporting and educating each student academically and socially.
newton has roughly 11,800 students enrolled in its public schools. According to the report, the district predicts that elementary school enrollment will increase slightly in the next few years, middle school enrollment will remain stable and high school enrollment will drop slightly. The average class size across grade levels was between 19 to 21 students — a slight decrease from the past two years.
the nps student body has become slightly more diverse in recent years. Five years ago, 58% of students identified as white. In the 2025-2026 school year, this value had dropped to 52%. The percentage of students identifying as hispanic/latino, asian or two or more races has grown slightly over the last few years, but the black student population has remained at 5% for the last five years. The report notes that across the student body, 82 languages are spoken.
the staff population at nps is less diverse, with nearly 85% identifying as white. The report noted that the percentage of staff who identify as black and latino increased from four to 6% and from three to 4%, respectively, between 2021and 2025. Discrimination based on race, national origin and religion decreased for the second year, following a peak in the 2023-2024 school year.
nps boasts a four-year graduation rate of 96.6% and a dropout rate of about 0.3%, similar to peer districts including needham, wellesley and brookline. Nearly 90% of graduating seniors planned to attend a four-year college, with the rest attending a two-year college, beginning military service or entering the workforce. In an end-of-year email newsletter, newton north high school noted that 85% of its graduating class this year reported acceptance into one of their top three choices for college.
nearly 75% of students from kindergarten to grade nine received proficient scores on star math and star reading tests. The report noted that 41% of students exceeded score expectations in math, compared to 29% in reading. Many newton families enroll their children in extracurricular math tutoring programs such as at the russian school of mathematics in order to help their kids get ahead in school and to supplement classroom instruction.
however, broken down by race, the report showed that black and latino students scored significantly lower than their asian, white and mixed-race peers on star math and reading assessments last year. Only 37% of black students and 48% of latino students received proficient scores on the star math assessment. Black and latino students also trailed behind in completion of advanced courses at the high school level.
in the last five years, more than 18% of nps students have had individualized education programs (iep) and about 7% have been english language learners. Students eligible for free or reduced price lunches have fluctuated between 15-18%. Recent star testing scores for students in the first two categories were also significantly lower than those of the rest of the student body.
the report includes a section highlighting the district’s new math pathways program, which aims to offer more advanced math beginning at the middle school level and flexibility for students looking to switch between standard and accelerated math courses at any point in their academic career. The program became the subject of parent criticism in may after only one student at bigelow middle school qualified for the accelerated eighth grade math course.
the recent school year marked the sixtieth anniversary of newton’s metco program, a state-funded program that buses disadvantaged students from boston and springfield to public school systems in surrounding suburban metropolitan communities. Newton’s program is the largest, with more than 431 students or 3.1% of the student population enrolled across all 21 schools.
the report also highlighted a number of awards won by the district. Student journalists at both newton north and newton south high school were named top high school journalists in new england. Nnhs won the state gymnastics championship for the first time since 1972. The nshs mock trial team won this year’s state championship.
at the april school committee meeting, nolin said putting together the report was a collaborative effort at the district’s central office, and thanked the previous and current school committee for their support.
“we look forward to the community celebrating with us the results that we have gained in the past year — an overview of all the artifacts of our strategic plan and the intense progress of our students under our new mtss implementation,” she said. “It’s now our job to get this in the hands of absolutely everyone in the city of newton.”
multi-tiered systems of support (mtss) refers to the district’s framework for providing additional academic support to students who demonstrate a need for it.
read the full report here. |
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| Bay Area student accused of raping 12-year-old has hearing delayed |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (9 reads) | |
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A court hearing for a bay area college student accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl in his dorm room was postponed this week while police investigate whether there may be another victim, prosecutors said.
andres manuel aguilar, 19, had been scheduled for a preliminary hearing wednesday. The hearing was continued to aug. 27, according to san mateo county district attorney steve wagstaffe.
the alleged assault happened may 5 at menlo college, a small private college in atherton that specializes in business education.
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prosecutors said aguilar met the girl at a menlo park bus stop before the two exchanged messages and arranged to meet again. The girl had sneaked out of her home before meeting him, authorities said.
aguilar allegedly told investigators he believed the girl, who has not been identified, was 17 — but knew she was still underage, prosecutors said.
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he is accused of taking the girl to a store, buying alcohol, bringing her back to his dorm room and giving her alcohol and marijuana before sexually assaulting her.
“they drank the alcohol and vaped marijuana,” the district attorney’s office wrote. “Defendant removed her pants and victim repeatedly told him ‘no.”
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afterward, prosecutors said, he ordered a plan b emergency contraceptive pill through doordash because he was worried about a possible pregnancy.
the girl later told her mother what happened, and atherton police were called after she was taken to stanford hospital. Aguilar was arrested may 12 at his dorm.
wagstaffe said the hearing was delayed because police are investigating a possible second victim. Prosecutors and the defense agreed to continue the hearing so the district attorney’s office could determine whether additional charges may be filed.
aguilar had not entered a plea as of thursday to charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child and providing a minor with marijuana, prosecutors said. He remains in custody with no bail.
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menlo college said in a statement that it takes allegations of criminal conduct and misconduct involving its community seriously, but privacy laws prevent the school from confirming identities or discussing details of ongoing investigations.
the preliminary hearing is scheduled for aug. 27. |
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| $400M later: A new FL education commissioner inherits old questions about school |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (9 reads) | |
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$400m later: a new fl education commissioner inherits old questions about school choice
tallahassee, fla. — Floridas school choice programs have expanded at a remarkable pace over the past few years, giving hundreds of thousands of families access to state-funded scholarships for private schools, homeschooling and other educational options.
but nearly eight months after a state audit warned the department of education was struggling to keep up with that growth, questions remain about whether the states oversight has caught up.
the auditor generals november 2025 report concluded floridas rapidly expanding school choice system had created a system where funding did not follow the child. Auditors found the state spent nearly $400 million more on family empowerment scholarships than lawmakers had budgeted during the 2024-25 school year and cited delays in student tracking, funding calculations and oversight that contributed to a statewide funding shortfall.
for shannon ash, those findings hit close to home.
the st. Marks grandmother of three comes from a family of educators. Her mother, father-in-law and mother-in-law all spent their careers working in floridas public schools as teachers and administrators.
they have all worked very hard in their career to make it better, ash told fox49. So its disappointing that were backsliding instead of moving forward.
the audit did not criticize school choice itself. Instead, it concluded the states administrative systems had failed to keep pace with the explosive growth of scholarship programs.
among its findings, auditors said scholarship spending exceeded legislative projections by nearly $400 million, funding calculations were delayed, and weaknesses in student tracking contributed to a system in which education funding did not always follow students as intended.
the report recommended a series of changes, including restructuring how family empowerment scholarships are funded, improving student tracking, speeding up funding calculations and strengthening oversight of duplicate enrollment checks and improper payments.
state sen. Don gaetz, r-niceville, said the audit confirmed concerns he already had about how florida administers its school choice system.
the auditor generals report was a scathing description of the scholarship program and the way it is being operated, gaetz said. As the auditor general said, his words not mine, whatever could go wrong with this program has gone wrong with it.
gaetz stressed that he supports school choice and believes florida has built one of the nations strongest parental choice systems. His concern, he said, is making sure the states management keeps pace with the programs growth.
earlier this year, gaetz sponsored educational scholarship programs, legislation designed to implement several of the auditor generals recommendations.
among other changes, the bill would have created a separate funding category for family empowerment scholarships instead of combining scholarship funding with traditional public school funding, a change gaetz argues would make it easier to ensure education dollars reach the correct destination.
we have all the money mixed up together, and then we are subsequently trying to chase students with the money to find out and ensure that the right money is going to the right place to benefit the right student, gaetz said.
the measure passed the florida senate unanimously but was never taken up by the house before the 2026 legislative session ended.
gaetz said he plans to file the legislation again next year.
meanwhile, floridas education leadership has changed.
in june, the state board of education appointed paul burns as interim commissioner after former commissioner anastasios kamoutsas left to become president of polk state college.
fox49 requested an interview with burns to ask three questions, but the department of education said burns was unavailable for an interview.
ash said she understands why many parents support scholarship programs but believes accountability should remain a priority regardless of where students attend school.
i think the practical answer for that problem might be to reevaluate the voucher system, she said. I understand its very popular, but it does take funding away from the public schools. And i just think that were spreading the money out a little too thin.
the auditor generals report also recommended improving how the department of education tracks student enrollment, processes funding calculations and recovers improper payments.
whether those recommendations ultimately become law may depend on next years legislative session.
gaetz says he believes the discussion is far from over.
the questions raised by the auditor general, he said, still need to be answered. |
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| LaHood tours Illinois Central Colleges health facilities |
| Posted on Friday, July 10 @ 00:01:11 PDT (8 reads) | |
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Lahood tours illinois central college’s health facilities
peoria (25news now) - for u.S. Rep. Darin lahood, (r-dunlap), the health department is key to meeting workforce needs in the peoria area.
thursday, lahood got a chance to see the various health careers facilities that illinois central college has to offer and learn about how to support the healthcare field in central illinois.
the full tour, alongside icc’s president jamonica rolle, highlighted what students are studying, careers around the area they may end up at, equipment needed to simulate real-life scenarios, and funding for students studying healthcare the best education.
“healthcare is really, in many ways, the future of our area when you think about the expansion of osf, you think about carle [health], you think about proctor [hospital]. Being here today to see what goes on at icc and the level of innovation and sophistication is important,” said lahood.
icc staffers declined an interview, but lahood said the next step is to make sure that local hospitals and medical facilities team up with schools like icc.
lahood also advocated for the expansion of the taxpayer funded pell grants, which he said many students at icc qualify for and used to help pay for their higher education.
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