Afternoon announcements: Maryland could lose $40 million in Race to Top grant funds

Maryland is struggling, like many states, to implement the specific teacher-evaluation systems outlined in the Race to the Top grant money it has received. The state could lose up to $40 million of its $250 million grant if it fails to meet the conditions outlined to it by the U.S. Department of Education. Politics K-12

In better news for Maryland, the state ranks number one in Education Week’s study examining state education policies and student achievement. This is Maryland’s fifth-year at the top of the rankings. Washington Post

The recession affected individuals without college degrees worse than it did those who completed college, a new Pew Charitable Trusts study finds. It shows that postsecondary education positively impacts labor market outcomes. New York Times

Education Week releases its 17th annual edition of Education Week’s Quality Counts, a study that tracks key education indicators and grades states “on their policy efforts and outcomes.” Education Week

Another break-down of what English classes will and should look like under the new Common Core State Standards. Washington Post