Relatively small improvements in students’ educational performance can have large impacts on a nation’s future economic well-being, according to a new international study released today from the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). . . .

Sub-national governments – states, countries, cities, provinces, towns, and special districts – play different roles from country to country, but usually deliver important public services such as police and fire protection, transportation, education, health care, and welfare. . . .

Students in New York City’s charter elementary and middle schools make bigger learning gains than their regular public school counterparts in math and reading, according to the second report in five months to find good results for the independently run public schools in the nation’s largest school system. . . .

Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts last night jolted the political world, and may spell the end for President Obama’s health care legislation. . . .