The US Department of Education just opened its newest stimulus fund, the i3 fund, for school districts with especially innovative ideas. There are stringent requirements to receive the money, and the funding can be pulled at any time, yet the money will go directly to school districts. Check out CNN's coverage here.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Chicago after the recent death of a high school student there. Derrion Albert was beaten to death by a mob of teens, and some people are blaming the death on Secretary Duncan's plans as the former head of Chicago Public Schools, where many failing campuses were closed down and students moved to different schools, often across rival gang lines. The Associated Press has the details.

A new study has shown that people who have a poor education may end up having poor health. Although scientists are still deliberating about what causes this phenomenon, hypotheses include increased income and benefits from higher education, better understanding of medical concepts, and having more leeway to take days off when sick. Learn more about the study here.

In honor of Columbus Day, classrooms all across America are trying to portray this very controversial figure in a more balanced light. The Associated Press writes about teachers who are trying all sorts of methods, from dressing up like Columbus, to having students put the man on trial. Find out what else schools are doing here.

Which demographic of people is the majority in prison? Young black men who have dropped out of high school. According to Reuters, 23% of black male dropouts ages 16 to 24 are in jail any given day, compared to 6-7% of Asian, Hispanic, or White dropouts. Read more about this crisis and others affecting young adults who drop out of high school.