Allowing students to schedule their own days, grouping them by achievement rather than grade level, and offering them "real life" experiences—such as running an in-school store—are turning out to be extremely successful.

Three groups have endorsed a plan by state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley to revamp Louisiana's school accountability system, including how high schools are rated.

While many schools may be posting photos to Facebook to connect with their communities and display student achievements and other uplifting news, the analysis also pointed to some unsettling, if unintended, consequences.

The gap exists in every U.S. state, beginning in elementary school and lasting through college graduation, according to new research conducted by the nonprofit public policy organization Brookings.