The strengthening in the yen throws a spanner in the works for the Japanese government, which has been trying to weaken the currency in hopes of reviving the battered, relatively export-oriented economy.

WSJ: Asian Shares Down; Nikkei Underperforms

It includes welcome attention to developing national standards and tests, markedly strengthening education data (stay tuned for the Fordham Institute's own contribution on that front next week), enhancing research into "what works, " accelerating the development and use of education technology and strengthening teachers across multiple fronts.

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