Even in the midst of large spending cuts, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said Monday that schools can improve the performance of students if they put more emphasis on rewarding excellent teaching and less emphasis on paying teachers based on seniority and whether they have a master's degree.

Gates spoke with the nation's governors in Washington later Monday as they confronted deficits that will require them to make many difficult decisions over the coming months. In advance of the speech, he told The Associated Press he's concerned that many states will reduce how much money goes to education. At the same time, he's convinced that spending cuts don't necessarily have to harm students. To learn more, read the full article by Kevin Freking in the Education section of The Huffington Post online.

The protests against Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's education overhaul intensified Monday. Hundred of Idaho high school students left their classrooms and took to the streets to have their voices heard.

Students were reported to have walked out of classes in Boise, Caldwell, Meridian, Nampa, and Pocatello. About 100 students gathered on the second floor of the Idaho Capitol as part of the protests. To learn more about the walkout and education reform plan, read the full article by KTVB and The Associated Press on the MSNBC website.

After a year of often using financial incentives to spur school reform, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan unveiled a different approach during a two-day conference in Denver last week: urging districts and teachers unions to develop trusting relationships and work together to improve student achievement.

The move comes as federal education stimulus money has dried up, although President Obama has asked for a nearly $2-billion increase in education funding in his proposed budget. To learn more, read the full article by Jason Song in the Local section of The Los Angeles Times online.

Thousands of people gathered in Madison, Wisconsin, on Thursday, protesting a bill that would strip teachers and other public employees of most of their collective bargaining rights and increase their contributions for benefits.

At least 15 school systems in Wisconsin canceled class for a second day, said Madison Metropolitan School District spokesman Ken Syke, because of a call by the Wisconsin Education Association Council for people to come to the Capitol on Thursday and Friday to "stand beside your neighbors, family and friends to help our voices be heard." To learn more about the proposed budget cuts and the protest, read the full article by Phil Gast in the U.S. section on the CNN website.

President Obama will request fiscal 2012 funding for an educational technology agency within the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The new agency would bring resources and funding to schools and colleges, while some ed-tech advocates warn that the government’s support might not reach teachers and professors, according to an article by Dennis Carter at the eSchool News website.

On February 7, the White House announced that its 2012 budget requests would include an agency called Advanced Research Projects Agency–Education, which would “support research on breakthrough technologies to enhance learning.” To learn more, read the full article.