First Bell 12-21-12

yes Pamela Tatz / December 21, 2012

A first look at today's most important education news:

Now-famously, more than thirty Michigan schools closed two days early for winter break, in part due to Mayan apocalypse “rumors”—and threats of violence that ensued. (Huffington Post and New York Times)

The 2011 TIMSS results call to question the veracity of the “Finnish miracle story”; Tom Loveless of the Brookings Institution argues that Finland’s educational prowess is exaggerated. (Curriculum Matters)

Dave Cicarella, the reform-friendly president of New Haven’s teacher union, is elected for his third term—which is viewed as a referendum on members’ support for recent changes to teacher contracts. (Huffington Post)

Education Week profiles the controversy surrounding Michigan’s Education Achievement Authority.

Teacher unions have come out against proposals to arm educators. (Answer Sheet)

An independent audit of the D.C. public school meals program found that since it was outsourced in 2008, taxpayers have lost more than $10 million a year. (Washington Post)

Category: First Bell