Afternoon Announcements: Albuquerque Pilot Program Aims to Curb Absenteeism

Congress is back in town this week, but education legislation is likely to remain on the back burner in both chambers for the next month—and maybe even for the rest of the year. One major reason? Syria. Another big reason? The budget.Politics K-12

California’s plan to dump most of its state testing program as it muddles through the tricky transition to new tests aligned to the common-core standards got a major rejection letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Monday. Politics K-12

A group of local and national organizations on Monday announced a $2 million grant competition meant to spur the creation of District schools that combine online and face-to-face instruction, or blended learning. The Washington Post

Dropping out of high school has left many Ohioans struggling to find work as the demand for unskilled labor continues to decline. Education Week

A pilot program aims to crack down on chronic school absences in Albuquerque. Albuquerque Public Schools officials will not just be targeting tardy students, they’re also going after the parents. “Truancy is an issue across the board,” said Kris Meurer, of the Albuquerque Public Schools. KOAT 7 Albuquerque