California's schools rank 47th in academic achievement despite per-pupil spending in the top third of the nation.

FORBES: Hung Up on Ma Bell

If you rank the countries of the world in terms of the academic performance of their schoolchildren, the U.S. is just below average, half a standard deviation below a clump of relatively high-performing countries like Canada and Belgium.

NEWYORKER: Most Likely to Succeed

Today, its academic mission has broadened, pushing Michigan State far beyond its Midwest roots to rank among the 10 largest universities in the nation with nearly 49, 000 students.

WSJ: A Mini Bilbao Opens in Michigan

Because other states look to Massachusetts where students overall routinely rank at the top of national and international tests for lessons on academic achievement and innovation, the Bay State's policies on charter schools are being followed closely, former Florida education commissioner Gerard Robinson told charter advocates gathered in Boston recently.

WSJ: New Front in Charter Schools