Quick Hits (1.24.13)

Legal troubles over state takeover. 101 Birmingham, Ala., school employees, who were either fired to transferred during a state takeover of schools, are suing to get their jobs back. They say the board didn’t approve the job cuts, and that the state superintendent wrongfully stepped in to override its decision. (Birmingham News)

Depressing statistic of the day. “Poor students with practically the same grades as their richer classmates are 75 percent less likely to apply to selective colleges.” (The Atlantic)

Voices from the classroom. A look at the growing “teachers’ voice” movement. (Education Next)

“Meet Ethan Sattler, 13, White House Reporter.” A middle-schooler gets press credentials to the White House briefing room. (Washington Wire/Wall Street Journal)