&$ &$ I recently attended an art lecture held by the National Center for the Performing Arts, at which CCTV anchor Bai Yansong shared his views on classical music. Not a musician, nor an educator, Bai understands why most ordinary Chinese people feel classical music is a distant and high-brow art form. “I did not enjoy classical music until my 30s. I did not enjoy it because I did not understand …

SOUTHINGTON — A local educational center for young children has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

This week, the Obama administration pledged to cut spending in order to bring down the national deficit, but not where education is concerned. It’s put a good deal of money on the table for states which fall in line with the administration’s ideas of a major education overhaul. Guest host Audie Cornish talks with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan about redesigning the standard-setting No …

The changes would affect how schools are judged to be passing or failing, and would eliminate a deadline for academic proficiency.