Extra Credit

Poly Patriotism

Polytechnic High School students thanked service men and women deployed in the Middle East. Students bid them "Good-bye" at D/FW Airport on April 29. Check out some of the photos.

First lady Laura Bush

First lady Laura Bush stopped in Fort Worth Wednesday to promote reading. She also announced that Kirkpatrick Elementary will receive about $6,000. The money will pay for new library books. The visit left second-grader Marayahaira Retana, 7, giddy. Her eyes were wide as she explained she was so nervous about meeting the First lady. She thought she would throw up. Didn't happen. Instead, Retana learned a lesson from the First lady. "You are supposed to read everyday." Read the entire story here.  Find out more about Fort Worth schools here.

_ Diane Smith

(Laura Bush and Kirkpatrick's Marayahaira Retana)

Wealthy kids getting more scholarships than others?

That's what U.S. News and World Report found. More rich families are feeling entitled to financial aid than ever before while the gap for helping poor students continues to grow, according to the publication. And these aren't the highest performing rich kids either. These are B-minus students. Read the story here.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

Your A.M. roundup

Today on star-telegram.com:

By far the biggest news involves the percentage of eighth-graders who didn't pass the TAKS math exam on their first try this month. Under new state rules, eighth-graders must pass the reading and math exams to be promoted. Those who didn't do so this month have two more chances to take the test and will receive mandatory remedial instruction.

Diane Smith and Martha Deller have the Fort Worth-area results here.

Shirley Jinkins has the Arlington-area results here.

And Katherine Cromer Brock has the results for Northeast Tarrant districts here.

-Patrick M. Walker

Mansfield High principal resigns

Principal Steven Gast has resigned from Mansfield High School after being placed on administrative leave for financial matters. School officials said there was no criminal activity. Gast was placed on leave April 9 while district officials investigated the matter, which revolved around activity funds. Gast, 50, became principal in of Mansfield in 2004. He had previously been principal in Fossil Ridge High School in the Keller school district and at Godley and Brownwood high schools. Gast has not commented on the matter. In a letter to the district, he said he was resigning for personal reasons and for the best interest of the district.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

The physical toll of applying to college

Headaches. Depression. Sleeplessness. All from worrying about getting in to the college of your dreams. The New York Times reports here on the stress high school students endure during college-admissions seasons.  Are you a student who's noticed ill effects from the stress of applying? Tell us about it here.

-- Julie Sobczyk Mitchell

Texas has strong math standards but others need work

Today the American Federation of Teachers released its report on how strong state standards are. AFT found Texas' math standards to be clearly defined--meaning students knew what they were expected to learn--but that English, science and social studies standards need improvement. Click here for the full report.

-Eva-Marie Ayala

File this under 'you can't be serious'

Police have arrested a suspended Tampa, Fla., middle school teacher for the third time in six weeks for allegedly having sex with a student. "She's in need of help," a sheriff's department official told the Tampa newspaper.

You think?

More details on our Crime Time blog.

-Patrick M. Walker

Your A.M. roundup

Today on star-telegram.com:

9 students are hurt in Grand Prairie wreck involving school bus and SUV

Northwest school district trustees rezone houses to Lakeview

Grapevine-Colleyville trustees project 2008-09 budget to be $148.2 million

-Patrick M. Walker

One-act wonders

Mansfield High School's One-Act Play group won state this weekend. This is the school's first time making it to the state level. They won the competition at the University of Texas' Hogg Memorial Auditorium. Funny thing. The Mansfield school district's auditorium is named Willie Pigg.

-Eva-Marie Ayala