Quick Hits (2.29.12)

Paying for courses they don’t need. New studies show that up to a third of community college students take remedial courses aren’t necessary, thanks to faulty placement tests. Education Sector’s Susan Headden explained the problems with placement testing into remedial courses in this Washington Monthly piece. (Inside Higher Ed)

When a rockstar life didn’t pan out. A new feature film about education in America, called “Detachment,” includes an opening scene of New York City veterans explaining how they ended up in the classroom—and not exactly how you might think. (This Week In Education)

More eyes on teacher prep. A new council, called the Commission on Standards and Performance Reporting, will look at how to improve teacher preparation programs across the country. First order of business? Advancing a report released last year that urged college programs to “turn teacher education upside-down.” (NCATE)

Happy Laep, er, Leap Day! Another edition of “Maybe we should let the students try their hand at posting signs in front of schools.” (h/t Huffington Post) (Tampa Bay Times)