Via the Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina:

“Julia Rugg has joined WINGS for Kids Inc. as chief program officer. She is a former attorney. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.”

See the original announcement.

For some students it’s third grade, for others it’s sixth, and for others it is completely different, but it’s a problem each child encounters at some point in his or her education: a grade that they find uncommonly challenging. Maryland Family Magazine recently reported on the problems children face when a class challenges them an August 15 story entitled “The Grueling Grades.”

What makes a grade tough ranges from lengthy writing assignments to hours of homework. Nancy Rankie Shelton, an associate professor of education, argues that a focus on testing may be part of the problem.

“With the focus on testing the way that it is… it makes it really difficult for teachers and students,” she said. “There’s more and more focus on one right answer and less focus on critical thinking and exploratory education.”

Courtesy of We Are Khaled Said

The historic revolution in the Middle East continues.

Egypt, in particular, is in a fighting mood. Using tools like social media, youth-inspired groups like the “April 6th Movement” and “We Are Khaled Said” are arranging sit-ins and protests.

A leading activist, Asmaa Mahfouz, has recently come under fire from the Egyptian military for a Facebook status she posted. She was interrogated for three hours and let free after supporters paid a $3,355 bail.

The blogger and former April 6 Movement member is accused of inciting violence against the military and members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

The blogger remains resilient, however, tweeting back without fear.

If [the] judicial system does not retrieve our rights, no one should be upset if armed groups commit assassinations- there is no law to protect us.

She also stated upon her release:

There is no truth in these accusations, I was only warning the military council that the absence of justice will lead to chaos. I am not scared, I will not be silenced, and I will continue to take to the streets and criticize any wrong doing that I see.

As Al Jazeera recounts, Mahfouz is not first blogger to be detained in the last year. Maikel Nabil is another name.

In regards to the revolution, former President Mubarak is apparently ill, awaiting trial in Cairo. The judge in the case banned TV cameras in the courtroom to lower the political tensions surrounding the case.

The Egyptian military currently running the country,was first seen as a hero to the revolution in February, Now the armed forces seem to be  a less friendly ally.

Egyptian youth continue the uphill battle for reform. Despite the continuous roadblocks, they aren’t backing down.

Photo courtesy of the Huffington Post.

The results of Iowa’s straw poll are in and Tim Pawlenty is out.

Former Minnesota Governor Pawlenty finished a distant third in the poll, lagging behind Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul.

After the trouncing, he announced he is dropping his bid to become the candidate of the Republican party.

“The pathway forward for me doesn’t exist,”.

Michele Bachmann’s pathway, on the other hand, continues to climb.

Bachmann, the first ever woman to win the poll, garnered a remarkable 4,823 votes out of the 17,000 cast. Ron Paul was not far behind with 4,671 votes.

The poll itself, however, may not be the best predictor of success for who will receive the nomination.

The jury is still out on whether Miss Bachmann will win the nomination, but for Mr. Pawlenty this race is over.

Who do you think will be the next to go?