Hawaii governor proposes plan to end controversial teacher furloughs, school-year reductions. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle proposed a plan Sunday to end the state's hotly disputed teacher furloughs starting in January, using a rainy day budget fund and converting planning days for teachers into regular classroom time to cancel a 10 percent reduction in school days.

Hawaii governor proposes plan to end controversial teacher furloughs, school-year reductions. Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle proposed a plan Sunday to end the state's hotly disputed teacher furloughs starting in January, using a rainy day budget fund and converting planning days for teachers into regular classroom time to cancel a 10 percent reduction in school days.

More school: Obama says kids need longer school days, shorter summers. Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.

AP News in Brief at 5:58 p.m. EDT. Iran test fires missiles amid global flap over its nuclear ambitions

More school: Obama says kids need longer school days, shorter summers. Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.

Obama's Big Windup: President to make unprecedented personal appeal for Olympics in Chicago. President Barack Obama will travel to Denmark to support Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics, projecting the highest-ever White House profile in lobbying for the international event.

Obama's personal plea for Chicago Olympics means possible rewards _ and political risks. President Barack Obama's decision to fly to Denmark to support Chicago's Olympics bid elevates the Games to an issue of national importance ? and exposes him to political risks as well as rewards at a critical point in his presidency.

More school: Obama says kids need longer school days, shorter summers. Students beware: The summer vacation you just enjoyed could be sharply curtailed if President Barack Obama gets his way.

Philadelphia students tell Gingrich, Sharpton, Duncan that caring teachers make a difference. The Rev. Al Sharpton and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich don't agree on much, but a meeting with a group of inner-city charter school students on Tuesday left them with the same impression: There is hope for improving the U.S. education system.

The Obama administration Wednesday defended an Education Department official over advice he gave a gay student about sex 21 years ago.

Obama administration defends official over advice he gave gay student years ago. The Obama administration Wednesday defended an Education Department official over advice he gave a gay student about sex 21 years ago.

Report: Despite Obama's wishes, some states use stimulus to make up for education cuts. An internal watchdog at the Education Department says states are using money from the economic stimulus to plug budget holes instead of boosting aid for schools.

Attorney general, education secretary to visit Chicago to discuss honors student beating. President Barack Obama is sending Attorney General Eric Holder and Education Secretary Arne Duncan to Chicago next week to discuss the recent beating death of a 16-year-old honors student.

Chicago Olympics loss means more than bruised ego, forces city to rethink jobs, economy, plans. Chicago's dream of an Olympics-sized stimulus was dashed when the 2016 Summer Games were awarded to Rio de Janeiro, and the loss amounts to more than a bruised ego for the nation's third-largest city.

Chicago Olympics loss means more than bruised ego, forces city to rethink jobs, economy, plans. Chicago's dream of an Olympics-sized stimulus was dashed when the 2016 Summer Games were awarded to Rio de Janeiro, and the loss amounts to more than a bruised ego for the nation's third-largest city.

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Civil rights leaders condemn violence at funeral of Chicago teen beaten after school. The funeral of a Chicago teen who was beaten to death on his way home from school drew civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan on Saturday, both calling for an end to youth violence.

School districts, nonprofits can get extra stimulus dollars for Obama-backed school reforms. School districts and nonprofit partners can benefit from a $650 million competitive grant fund for school reforms pushed by President Barack Obama.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - American children are suffering an epidemic of violence and the country should not tolerate it, Attorney General Eric Holder said during a visit on Wednesday to Chicago where the beating death of a teenager has triggered outrage and frustration.

Justice Department officials said Wednesday that most children in the United States are exposed to violence in their daily lives ? but a leading criminologist warned the government-sponsored survey may be lumping serious and minor incidents together.