Homeless in college: Can it work?

Although college expenses are increasing and 69 percent more youths are homeless compared two years ago, students are still trying to achieve an education. A law was passed to ease their financial burden, but could more be done?

Roundtable: A question of teacher incentives

(Jahi Chikwendiu)

Using the corporate world as an example, Duke University’s Dan Ariely explains how a single measure of success, in this case a standardized test, provides little defense against cheating and answer erasures.

Study unmasks myths about school discipline

(Xiaomei Chen / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST)

Punishment is not always a reflection of the students at a school. A new study that followed seventh-graders in Texas for more than six years finds degrees of discipline depends more on those in charge.

Local Education News

Upheaval at DCPS family engagement office

While the dismissal of more than 200 than teachers claimed much of the attention last week, there was a bloodletting at DCPS’ Office of Family and Public Engagement

More D.C. education news

Study unmasks myths about school discipline

Study unmasks myths about school discipline

Punishment is not always a reflection of the students at a school. A new study that followed seventh-graders in Texas for more than six years finds degrees of discipline depends more on those in charge.

More Va. education news

A Montgomery mistake, twice

One parent faces the same trouble with math class placement with two of her children.

More Md. education news

National education

Chicago mayor chooses private school

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who supports standardized test-based accountability, has decided to send his children to a private school with a different approach.

Advice to Education Dept. on newest Race to the Top

The latest Race to the Top program – the Early Childhood Challenge could result in a slew of tests for young kids. Here’s some advice for the Education Department on how to make sure this doesn’t happen.

Why giving standardized tests to young children is ‘really dumb’

Testing young children may be cruel, has not worked out well in the past, often provides unreliable scores and therefore invalid inferences about the abilities of children are made too often, David Berliner writes. So why are we doing it?

Testing pressure in schools

Blogs, columns and official statements say cheating on standardized tests was caused by too much pressure on schools to raise achievement.

More education news

Ranking D.C.’s schools

Ranking D.C.’s schools

H-B Woodlawn tops the list of D.C. schools best preparing students for college. Where does your school rank?

Building school ties

Building school ties

A Howard County teacher volunteers as an English instructor for the Burmese refu­gee community.

Auditioning for teachers

Auditioning for teachers

D.C. school officials aim for selectivity by requiring prospective teachers to give tryout lessons.

Spotlight on school discipline

Arlington offers students ‘Second Chance’

Arlington offers students ‘Second Chance’

The program offers a substance abuse session for teens caught using marijuana or alcohol.

Fairfax scales back discipline policy following suicide

Fairfax scales back discipline policy following suicide

Nick Stuban’s suicide prompts the School Board to veer away from forced transfers.

Suspension over Rx acne drug

Suspension over Rx acne drug

Fairfax’s disciplinary measures are under scrutiny after a teen is suspended for bringing meds to school.

Recent Videos

Mall Rats: Ashley Baker

Video: Mall Rats: Ashley Baker

Ashley Baker spends her weekday afternoons "field sitting" so that she and her co-workers in the House Softball League can play ball on the Mall.
'Top Chef' vet packs knives for DC

'Top Chef' vet packs knives for DC

Chef Mike Isabella takes Kaylee Hartung discusses his new Italian-inspired eatery, Graffiato. The "Top Chef All-Stars" finalist says that D.C. may be the fastest growing culinary city in America. (July 19)
Gray campaign money orders raise questions

Gray campaign money orders raise questions

The Washington Post's Anqoinette Crosby sits down with reporter Nikita Stewart to discuss the latest controversy facing D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray.
Tour bus from Washington, D.C. crashes in New York

Tour bus from Washington, D.C. crashes in New York

New York state police say a tour bus heading from Washington, D.C., to Niagara Falls crashed in a wooded median in western New York, killing two people and injuring 35. (July 18)
Obama family walks to church from White House

Obama family walks to church from White House

The first family walked from the White House to attend services at St. John's Church Sunday morning. (July 17)
The city's sauce

The city's sauce

Mumbo sauce, also known as mambo sauce, can be found in carryout restaurants throughout Washington. It is a staple for many residents in D.C. and part of a completely unknown subculture to others.
Racing for the cure

Racing for the cure

Nancy Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, shares the personal tragedy that launched the world's largest breast cancer foundation.
Final 'Harry Potter' premieres in Georgetown

Final 'Harry Potter' premieres in Georgetown

Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" movie series, attends the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2" in Georgetown. (July 14)
Post Sports Live, July 12

Post Sports Live, July 12

The Washington Post's Jason Reid joins LaVar Arrington, Dan Steinberg and host Jonathan Forsythe to discuss the next Redskins quarterback, the Nationals at the All-Star break and the Capitals' goalies.
'Potter' cast bids bittersweet farewell in New York

'Potter' cast bids bittersweet farewell in New York

The stars of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" walk the red carpet for the film's U.S. premiere in New York. (July 11)
A look at Metro's new Foggy Bottom escalator

A look at Metro's new Foggy Bottom escalator

The new escalator, on the far left, is part of a larger plan to repair and rehab 140 escalators in the Metro system at a cost of roughly $150 million over the next five to six years.
Phoenix light rail a preview of Purple Line

Phoenix light rail a preview of Purple Line

The Phoenix area's 2-year-old light rail system gives Washington-area residents a feel for how a proposed 16-mile Purple Line would operate, look and sound in the Maryland suburbs. A Purple Line would run light rail trains between Bethesda and New Carollton, with about 20 stations in North Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Langley Park, College Park and Riverdale.
Former first lady Betty Ford dies at 93

Former first lady Betty Ford dies at 93

Betty Ford, wife of former President Gerald Ford and the founder of the Betty Ford Center for substance abuse and addiction, has died at age 93. (July 8)
Assateague 'Pony Patrol' wrangle rebellious horses

Assateague 'Pony Patrol' wrangle rebellious horses

Volunteer Phil Gregoli works on Assateague's 'Pony Patrol,' which helps keep wild horses safe on the island. Gregoli patrols roads and campgrounds, keeping visitors a safe distance from the horses and shooing the animals from busier roads.
The Shuttle Program:  A visual timeline

The Shuttle Program: A visual timeline

VIDEO | This animated graphic some of the significant events of the shuttle program.
A look inside new Metro cars

A look inside new Metro cars

New Metro rail cars will have navigation tools for riders, which will make it easier for passengers to know when their stop is coming up.
Clemens arrives at trial

Clemens arrives at trial

As his trial begins with jury selection, Roger Clemens arrived at federal court in the District Wednesday. The seven-time Cy Young Award winner is accused of lying to Congress about using steroids. (July 6)
Preview Capital Fringe Festival shows

Preview Capital Fringe Festival shows

Actors give a taste of what's to come at the sixth annual Capital Fringe Festival, which runs July 7-24.
Obamas celebrate Independence Day with White House concert

Obamas celebrate Independence Day with White House concert

President Obama celebrated Independence Day with a concert outside the White House, with music by Jordin Sparks, Josh Groban and rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard. (July 5)
Fireworks light up the National Mall

Fireworks light up the National Mall

Thousands marked the 235th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence watching the annual Fourth of July fireworks display over the monuments and memorials in the nation's capital. (July 4)
Diverse crowd fills National Mall for July 4 fireworks

Diverse crowd fills National Mall for July 4 fireworks

The annual fireworks on the National Mall drew people from all over the United States and across the globe.
A Father's Day record

A Father's Day record

Richard Anderson describes how his son, Nick, reeled in a catfish that measured 57 inches long and 43.5 inches around from Buggs Island Lake.
Phantom Five: 11th International Submarine Races

Phantom Five: 11th International Submarine Races

Almost 30 teams met in Bethesda this week at the Naval Surface Warfare Center to compete in a human-powered submarine race. Virginia Tech has sent a team for the past several years.
Hero or goat:  The lonely life of a kicker

Hero or goat: The lonely life of a kicker

Former Redskins Mark Moseley, Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff and the U-Md.'s Travis Baltz explain the mentality it takes to succeed as a kicker.
The last lap at Laurel?

The last lap at Laurel?

An industry that has been ailing in Maryland for years appears as close as ever to death.
The adventures of Doris and Betty: WWII spies

The adventures of Doris and Betty: WWII spies

Doris Bohrer and Elizabeth "Betty" McIntosh met two years ago in a Prince William County retirement community. As their friendship developed, they realized they had both served as intelligence operatives during World War II.

Photo Galleries

Our Washington

Our Washington

Post photographers are sharing their favorite area locations.

Off to the Baguette Relay Races

Off to the Baguette Relay Races

A local bakery substituted baguettes for batons for Bastille Day.

Remembering African American Civil War soldiers

Remembering African American Civil War soldiers

19 black reenactors pay tribute to black soldiers.

Reenacting the Battle of Bull Run

Reenacting the Battle of Bull Run

Reenactors come together to commemorate the historic battle.

Shoeing horses in the heat

Shoeing horses in the heat

Mike Poe, a farrier, shoes horses on a hot day in Crofton, Md.

A helping paw for working dogs

A helping paw for working dogs

Dogtopia holds a charity dogwash.

Work revives D.C. man’s hope

Work revives D.C. man’s hope

Finding solid employment revives a man’s hope and creates opportunities.

D.C.’s mumbo sauce: Lip-licking good

D.C.’s mumbo sauce: Lip-licking good

The allure of mumbo sauce.

Transitioning into the professional world

Transitioning into the professional world

The Sara Start Fund awards grants to foster children for internships.

Rep. Donna Edwards talks economy with constituents

Rep. Donna Edwards talks economy with constituents

The Maryland Democrat speaks about debt-ceiling negotiations.

More photos