Quick Hits 8.17.11

Opinion poll on public schools released. The poll, conducted by Phi Delta Kappa and Gallup, asked questions about issues such as trust in teachers, technology, test scores, unions, and choice. Hechinger Ed distills the essentials for you.

ACT reports on college readiness. The ACT has released its yearly report on college and career readiness of high school graduates who took the ACT. The report shows slow and steady growth in college and career readiness as well as room for improvement, and points out that test scores and not the only way to measure college and career readiness.

Teachers get to know the neighborhood. Teachers and staff at Jones High School in Orlando took a bus tour around Orlando to learn about students’ backgrounds—from homeless shelters to mansions. Patti Moore, coordinator of parent and community involvement at Jones, hoped the tour would help educators “understand the whole child.” (Orlando Sentinel)

Joplin schools open today. Two days after the devastating tornado superintendent C.J. Huff promised schools would open August 17 as scheduled. Doors opened this morning. School supplies have been donated from around the country, and every high school student will have access to a laptop donated by the United Arab Emirates. (ABC News)

Written by intern Marley Zeno.