On an Election Day filled with dozens of state races and ballot measures with big implications for the nation's public schools, state teachers' unions and charter school champions had plenty to cheer in the aftermath, even as tax measures that would help pay for schools suffered setbacks in some places. Union efforts were instrumental in…

To give students an incentive to work hard--and save education dollars along the way--some states are encouraging early high school graduation by ramping up curricula or giving college scholarships. As a money-saving measure for families and states, lawmakers are allowing early high school exits and providing tuition aid. The policies emphasize…

Idaho's patchwork-quilt way of financing schools does not provide enough stable financial resources for many rural schools. Tax levies are sometimes unsuccessful. Some rural districts have depended on forest revenues, but this source dwindled following new environmental policies. Federal legislation may return a portion of forest revenues, but…