Quick Hits (10.15.12)

Tracking students’ whereabouts. Students at two Texas school districts are required to carry new student IDs that include a tracking chip, meant to help curb truancy. But some students have refused, and they face fines, suspension, or even an involuntary transfer. (WND)

But what if the marshmallow never arrives? A new study questions the famous Stanford “marshmallow test” and finds it only makes sense when children live in environments where promised rewards actually materialize. (TIME)

Choosing words wisely. New teacher evaluation criteria in Denver, meant to reward teachers who encourage students to think critically, caused a bit of an uproar after some interpreted the criteria as encouraging students to “buck power.” (Washington Times)

Don’t spend it all in one place. Some Michigan school districts are paying highly effective teachers $1-$3 more than the average teacher in order to (barely) comply with the state’s new merit pay law. (Michigan Capitol Confidential)