Afternoon announcements: New Jersey teachers union sues charter school over blended learning

Merit Prep is a charter school in New Jersey with the mission of improving the academic achievement of low-income minority students. It utilizes technology, combined with traditional classroom teaching, or blended learning. A teachers union in the state is suing to shut the school down. Hechinger Report

A new Texas state law that goes into effect this year mandates a financial literacy program for high school students, that will teach them how to apply for and pay for higher education. One of the program’s goals is to ensure every high school senior completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Star-Telegram

Admissions decisions just got tougher for M.B.A. candidates. Some programs are bringing in career-services staff to analyze prospective candidates in terms of their job potential and set expectations for what the school can offer. Wall Street Journal

A new face will lead the House Education subcommittee on K-12 policy in Congress this term. Representative Todd Rokita, a republican from Indiana, will take on the powerful position in education policy. Politics K-12