Today: a test kids can actually pass, Penney's comes back to Seattle, delighting Grandmas across the Sound. more ›

Driving may get a little more expensive, one fewer school district job to bungle, plus, a perfect storm of awesome this weekend. more ›

• The big news in local blogs today is the Seattle Times "collaboration" with hyperlocal blogstars such as West Seattle Blog, MyBallard, Capitol Hill Seattle, and Rainier Valley Post. Sure, there's warranted kicking and screaming about anything to do with the Times and online media, but is this the beginning of a beautiful friendship?
• Speaking of hyperlocal news, belltownpeople (giddy about being the densest neighborhood in Seattle) and CHS broke out mayoral race votes by 'hood.

In just a few hours, the new state schools superintendent--a man named Randy Dorn--will announce his new vision for standardized testing in Washington. Dorn campaigned on the promise that he would revamp the public schools assessment strategy, replacing the often-criticized Washington Assessment of Student Learning with "a simpler, fairer test." So far, it looks like the 10 a.m. announcement will be related to his expected support of a bill before the state Senate this session that would create a three-part assessment system (including, yes, a "state-administered summative achievement assessment" of some kind) to replace the WASL. Fingers crossed that the new test and other measures will accomplish that perfect balance between tough and fair, and that Dorn can cut through all the politically correct educationese we find so repugnant to speak about our school systems honestly and directly. more ›

If you're a teenager, there is nothing better than a few extra days of summer vacation however you can get them. Students in the Bellevue School District are rejoicing (and their parents are scrambling for child care) as the start of school was delayed due to a teacher's strike. Bellevue teachers took the picket line today after a contract negotiations failed Monday night. At the center of the teachers strike are issues regarding salary and curriculum. A mediator will try to bring both sides to the table again today. Bellevue teenagers will be keeping their fingers crossed for failure and a few more school-free days. more ›

Long spoken of and rarely acted upon, the renovation and remodeling of The Seattle Center was again on the docket for Monday's City Council meeting. Center officials presented a number of new design ideas for the redevelopment of the Center. Central to these are the demolishing of Memorial Stadium and The Fun Forest. Proposed uses for the space include a new outdoor amphitheatre to replace Memorial Stadium, a brand new Center House, and plans to turn the asphalt of the Fun Forest into green space. more ›

Tonight you have two options; you can either watch Super Tuesday results on the TV, or head down to Pioneer Square with Dax, T-Bone, and a handfull of beads. more ›

Seattlest's former elementary school, Madrona, is the leading edge of a terrifying movement in Seattle Public Schools. more ›

Turns out it's not so easy to outfox young and dedicated junk food consumers, such as students at Cleveland High School:

Chips and cookies were replaced in vending machines with granola bars and trail mix; sugary drinks are no longer sold in schools. Cleveland fell into line with other schools, offering healthier foods in its cafeteria and vending machines. more ›

Seattle Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas announced today he'll resign at the end of the year, leaving a job opening for anyone who likes getting screamed at. more ›

Is this how it works: Seattle Public Schools has some issues with its budget, threatens a bunch of school closures and then watches parents scramble to defend their home turf? It all gets called off until next year when they again release a bunch of school names and wait for the response. more ›

The ad in the Weekly caught our eye: Opium! Graft! Sex! Debauchery! All this printed over a picture of a moll who'd fit right in at Belltown's Whisky Bar. more ›

Seattlest nearly spit up our tall decaf americano (not really, we’re just keeping it folksy today) when we learned via the Seattle Times that Garfield High is fielding a grand total of 44 valedictorians this year. more ›

Last week Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas announced a plan to close ten schools and end busing to others in order to save money and cut into the district’s increasing deficit—they project losses of $20 million in 2006-7. more ›

Seattlest hereby attempts to salvage Downer Friday with news that the Camp Fire Kids kick off their annual candy sale today. more ›