First Bell 2-7-13

yes Pamela Tatz / February 7, 2013

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

In an unprecedented step forward for MOOCs, the American Council on Education deemed five online courses eligible for college credit. (Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Washington Post)

Nine students were arrested after a “colossal” food fight in a Georgia high school. (Huffington Post)

Meanwhile, an adult-sized food fight has broken out in California: Eight districts were caught diverting funds from free and reduced-price meal programs to other expenses. (California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes and Capitol Weekly)

Governor Rick Snyder’s plans for Michigan’s young people include 2 percent more funding to public schools, universities, and community colleges in the next school year; a requirement that universities keep tuition increases under 4 percent; and doubling the enrollment of 4-year-olds in an early-intervention pre-K program. (Associated Press)

Brooklyn College has found itself mired in controversy over its political science department’s decision to co-sponsor a panel discussion on an anti-Israel movement; some city and state politicians have “even called for defunding the college.” Mayor Bloomberg has defended the school’s right to promote debate. (Los Angeles Times and New York Times)

Category: First Bell