Quick Hits (4.30.12)

Providing tuition aid for those who don’t truly need it. Richard Kahlenberg calls tuition tax breaks “food stamps for the relatively wealthy” and encourages Congress, like Education Sector’s Steve Burd, to allow the tax breaks to expire, in favor of diverting that money to truly needy students, like Pell Grant recipients. If you haven’t read Burd’s most recent report, which shows that upper-middle class families enjoy more tuition tax breaks than poorer families, find it here. (Innovations/The Chronicle of Higher Education)

“Not simply a matter of flipping the switch.” Education Week takes a look at the Common Core State Standards in math, how they are changing instruction, and how teachers are adapting. (Education Week)

Steering dropouts toward educational opportunity. Jobs for the Future is pushing a “Back on Track Through College” model that targets high school dropouts or “off-track” youth in an attempt to provide them not only the support necessary to finish their high school degree, but also the encouragement and exposure to pursue post-secondary education. (Jobs for the Future)

“Shouldn’t everyone be well red?” Kenneth Cole, the clothing company owned by the brother-in-law of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, has posted a single billboard in New York that takes aim at teachers unions and encourages passers-by to continue the discussion online. But after backlash from teachers, @KennethCole tweeted this afternoon that the company would take it down. The issue is “one too complex for a billboard,” the tweet said. (h/t Joanne Jacobs) (Gotham Schools)