Afternoon Announcements: August 2, 2012

The Alliance is racking up medals. Gold in “Afternoon Announcement Provision,” gold in “Keeping People Aware of Education Policy News and Events,” and, wait, what’s this? A tin medal in “Pithiness and Snark in an Online Publication”? Scandal brewing…

Good news for low-income students interested in taking Advanced Placement exams that can earn them college credit. Deseret News reports that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded $21.5 million in grants to 43 states to pay for AP tests for these students.

USA Today reports on the “persistent gender gap” that exists in the math and science (as well as the technology and engineering) fields. The article notes, “research shows that girls who enjoy — and excel at — math and science in high school are less likely than boys to pursue a college major in those fields. And even if they start college majoring in a STEM field, women are more likely than men to change majors, federal data show.”

Education Week checks in on schools in Denver and Los Angeles that are giving their students a longer school day this year. For more on extended learning time (ELT), be sure to check out the Time to Succeed Coalition.

That’s it from us for today! See you tomorrow!