Afternoon announcements: Sequestration cuts hit Native American schools hardest

There are two paths to implementing the Common Core State Standards – one that resembles No Child Left Behind and the other that transforms teaching and learning. Ensuring that the Standards are adopted and utilized in a way that benefits students and teachers is essential. Education Week

The across-the-board federal budget cuts, or sequestration cuts, are disproportionately affecting Native American schools. Most Native reservation school campuses receive federal Impact Aid intended for schools that can’t collect local property taxes. USA Today

Chicago city school officials announced the planned closures of 53 elementary schools and one high school. This amounts to 11% of elementary schools closing. Wall Street Journal

The Texas House has put up a budget plan that would add $1 billion to education funding. If approved, it would make up about half of the funding lost two years ago. Houston Chronicle