The United States Senate passed a bipartisan rewrite of No Child Left Behind that, among other provisions, weakens the federal role in overseeing school performance. The new bill still requires annual testing in reading and math for grades 3 through 8 and once in high school, but it lets states decide how to identify and turn around struggling schools. The House and Senate must now draft a final version to send to the President. (Washington Post) Read the NEA’s take on it here. Read Valerie Strauss’s article about the debate surrounding the bill here.

Cafeteria meal prices in Prince George’s County Schools will be slightly higher this year. (Sentinel)

Montgomery County has eliminated final exams in middle school and is considering a proposal to get rid of final exams in high school as well. Loudon County is also changing its final exam requirements, moving toward an emphasis on project-based assessment. (Washington Post)

County Executive Rusher Baker is accepting applications to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of District 7 Board of Education Member Lyn Mundey. Applicants must be residents of District 7  (see map). Find the application here, and visit the County Executive’s website for more information. (County Exective)

The Prince George’s County Council adopted legislation on Tuesday that will require that half of gaming revenue be used for schools, libraries, and community college. From the County Council news release:

Under the new law, 50-percent of annual local gaming revenue, up to a maximum of $25 million, will now be reserved for Prince George’s County Public Schools, Prince George’s Community College, and the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, as a part of the County’s regular or supplemental budget processes.

Read more at the County Council website and at the Washington Post.

The Board of Education has approved appointments of eleven new principals at Samuel Chase ES, Hollywood ES, Chesapeake Math & IT Charter School, Cool Spring ES, College Park Academy, Maya Angelou French Immersion, Kenmoor Early Childhood Center, Largo HS, Langley Park-McCormick ES, and Walden Woods ES. (PGCPS)