Star Advertiser: Students, Fridays Return to Schools

"Furlough Fridays behind them, more than 171,000 public school students head back to school this week to face new challenges as No Child Left Behind proficiency goals rise, the race kicks off to keep more schools from facing federal sanctions and teachers begin major curriculum shifts to follow national standards.

"Educators say they will need all the classroom time they can get to meet the higher goals.

"And they are looking forward to no longer having to teach around furlough days, which forced them last year to cram lessons into shorter periods, scale back on other activities, like art instruction or review lessons after long weekends."

Click this link to read the entire story by Mary Vorsino.