Afternoon announcements: American public questions online classes

A new study shows that the performance of D.C. third-graders on standardized reading and math tests has not improved since 2007. Washington Post

Many universities nationwide are utilizing the cost-cutting, innovative technology of online classes. The next Florida public university may become the first to be an online-only school. Miami Herald

Despite the growing prevalence of online classes, doubt still lingers about their effectiveness, among the American public. In a new survey, only 29 percent of American adults believe they offer an equal education to a classroom, compared to 51 percent of college presidents who believe they provide the same value. Pew Research Center

After the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary school, in which 20 children were killed – all of them first-graders, a reporter teams up with a first-grade teacher to look at 25 things you should know about this age group. New York Times