Detroit's (predominantly black) public schools are the worst in the nation, and it takes some doing to be worse than Washington, D.C. Only 3 percent of Detroit's fourth-graders scored proficient on the most recent National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) test, sometimes called "The Nation's Report Card." Twenty-eight percent scored basic and 69 percent below basic. "Below basic" is the NAEP category when students are unable to demonstrate even partial mastery of knowledge and skills fundamental for proficient work at their grade level. It's the same story for Detroit's eighth-graders. Four percent scored proficient, 18 percent basic and 77 percent below basic. Michael Casserly, executive director of the D.C.-based Council on Great City Schools, in an article appearing in Crain's Detroit Business, (12/8/09) titled, "Detroit's Public Schools Post Worst Scores on Record in National Assessment," said, "There is no jurisdiction of any kind, at any level, at any time in the 30-year history of NAEP that has ever registered such low numbers." The academic performance of black students in other large cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles is not much better than Detroit and Washington. ...more

December 26, 2009

The idea was a simple one: Collect stuffed animals and donate them to people who could use something to smile about. ...more

December 12, 2009

Australian Danny Green stopped Roy Jones Jr. in the first round of their IBO world cruiserweight title fight Wednesday, preventing the 40-year-old American from claiming his ninth title across five weight classes from middleweight to heavyweight. ...more

December 2, 2009

Educator who admitted past drug use must again fight for his job. ...more

November 18, 2009

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy on Wednesday launched an expansion of All Pro Dad from the National Football League into the ranks of college football. ...more

March 20, 2009

The "bromance" genre reaches its zenith. ...more

March 19, 2009

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy is launching an expansion of his All Pro Dad program from the NFL into college football. ...more

March 18, 2009

Most of the players on the East Bay High School varsity baseball team sought refuge from the scorching Florida heat in the hours leading up to their March 11 home game against rival Riverview High School. ...more

March 18, 2009

More than half a dozen Pasco sheriff's deputies converged at Shady Hills Elementary School on a recent Wednesday morning. They were there to read anyone their rights - just to read. ...more

March 15, 2009

County Commissioner Rose V. Ferlita will be honored as one of four Women of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida at a luncheon March 24 at the A La Carte Event Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive. ...more

March 11, 2009