In India, parents play an important role in arranging and facilitating educational opportunities for their children, starting with the choice of school, arranging after-school classes, and sending them to various non-academic extracurricular classes. Most parents closely follow the academic performance of their children and willingly spend time…

Academically gifted girls often see unrealized and unfulfilled potential as a result of societal pressures to make the choice between being smart and fitting in. Gifted girls face many social issues in their lives that impact their education and interests from a young age. Gender stereotypes may be perpetuated by teachers, who have been shown to…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) FY 2011 Spending Discussions Continue: Pressure Mounts as April 8 Deadline Approaches and Possibility of Government Shutdown…

Years ago, the popular TV game show "Let's Make a Deal" required its contestants to choose one of three doors. Contestants were just as likely to win expensive items such as cars and exotic vacations as they were to win a crate of lemons. Helping their child reach decisions about college may at times lead parents to feel as if they are contestants…

Concerns that students and parents have about college tuition are addressed. The first section, "Why Tuition Is Up," lists six reasons for high college costs and explains why these trends are not likely to change within the next few years. The next section, "What Colleges and Universities Are Doing about Rising Tuition,"…