Photo credit: Jsclarby Elizabeth A. HarrisFrom the photo archives of The New York Times, here is a decade-by-decade look at city schools and moments in their history. See the story and pictures at The New York Times.

Photo credit: U.S. Dept. of Agricultureby Maureen SullivanIf you’re paying full price for your child’s lunch in the school cafeteria, you’re in the minority. As the school year starts, about 22 million children will qualify for the free and reduced-price lunches doled out daily in cafeterias around the country. That’s nearly 72% of all the lunches served in schools that participate in the lunch program.Read the rest of the story at Forbes.

Bombed the SAT? Not to worry.A growing number of schools — about 850 and counting — no longer require applicants to submit their scores. And college officials say that a test-optional policy helps them attract strong applicants that may not have previously applied — including students of color, and those from low income families.Read the rest of the story at CNN Money.

by John HigginsAfter nearly a year of deliberation, the state Supreme Court ruled 6-3 late Friday afternoon that charter schools are unconstitutional, creating chaos for hundreds of families whose children have already started classes.Read the rest of the story at The Seattle Times.

As American children prepare to head back to school tomorrow, many of them will return to racially homogenous classrooms. A 2014 report found that 60 years after the landmark desegregation case, Brown v. Board of Education (1954), segregation in American primary education — though certainly not at pre-Brown levels — has significantly increased since the 1980s, which generally marked the peak of integration.Read the rest of the story at The Week.

Education Corporation of America (ECA), which operates private, accredited colleges across the U.S., and Kaplan Higher Education, have completed the previously announced all-stock transaction exchanging 38 campuses, which include Kaplan College, Kaplan Career Institute, Texas School of Business and TESST College of Technology, for a preferred equity interest in ECA. Financial terms are not being disclosed.

by Juan Perez, Jr.In an effort to put an end to a hunger strike and protests that have upended two public hearings this week, Chicago Public Schools on Thursday announced that Dyett High School will open in the fall of next year as an “open enrollment, arts-focused neighborhood high school.”Read the rest of the story at the Chicago Tribune.

The UN has said that conflicts in the Middle East are depriving more than 13 million children of an education.The UN children’s fund, Unicef, says in a new report that the hopes of a generation across the Middle East and North Africa are being shattered.Read the rest of the story at BBC News.

Photo credit: U.S. Department of Educationby Lyndsey LaytonOn day 17 without food, two of the dozen Chicago activists on a hunger strike over a city high school traveled to Washington to ask Education Secretary Arne Duncan for help. Read the rest of the story at The Washington Post.

Photo Credit: Paul Stevensby Michelle Riddles, Associated PressCARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio says the U.S. doesn’t need a federal Education Department, arguing that its recommendations to state and local governments often turn into mandates tied to money. Read the rest of the story at U.S.News.

I t’s that time again, and the numbers behind this year’s back-to-school season offer insights into both educational and business trends.How many students and teachers are going back to school?The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has just released its Fast Facts for Back to School 2015.

by Sara GilgoreThe World Privacy Forum, a public-interest research group focused on privacy protection, has launched a campaign urging parents to “opt out” of allowing schools to release “directory” information—student data the organization says schools could otherwise disclose to third-parties who request access.Read the rest of the story at Education Week.

Photo credit: Jinby Jeffrey S. SolochekLAND O’LAKES — Preparing to market his new magnet school to parents, Sanders Memorial Elementary principal Jason Petry highlighted four core principles.Students first … Learners have voice and choice … Positive relationships lead to positive outcomes … Failing forward. Read the rest of the story at the Tampa Bay Times.

edCircuit recently caught up with Chad Ratliff, Director of Instructional Programs for Albermarle County Public Schools, to learn more about the district’s Startup Weekend.  Here’s our Q&A.Dr. Berger: Why organize a Startup Weekend for your teachers and what was the initial response to the idea from both teachers and administrators?

Photo credit: urban_databy Christopher PappasExploring a learning topic from a whole new perspective is a rare opportunity. Fortunately, TED talks offer the chance to dive into the minds of other educators, subject matter experts, and eLearning professionals. In this article, I’ll introduce 10 talks that are definitely worth a watch.Read the rest of the story at eLearning Industry.