Here is a sample of Larry Ferlazzo’s list of what he considers 2014 education’s “best and worst news”. Ferlazzo’s annual list is usually very insightful and worth checking out. Ferlazzo is a teacher, author and blogger.

The Best Education News Of 2014

Demand for changes to the teacher evaluation system.

Increase in high school graduation rates.

Decrease in drop-out rates.

NAEP test scores showed an increase, especially for minority students.

Students in Colorado successfully fought to keep their Advanced Placement History course intact.

Newark, New Jersey elected Ras Baraka its mayor over the “One Reform” platform.

National Education Association elected Lily Eskelsen García as president.

Pennsylvania elected Tom Wolfe as its governor over Tom Corbett.

Tom Torlakson was retained as the State Superintendent of Public Instruction in California.

Karen Lewis is recovering from a brain surgery in Chicago.

Standardized testing received many attacks.

“Malala Yousafzai won the Nobel Peace Prize.”

“Dana Goldstein’s book, The Teacher Wars, was published and became a bestseller.”

“The millions of students who had great learning experiences in their schools this year.”

“Two destructive “school reformers” left the public scene:”

“Michelle Rhee stepped down as chief of  StudentsFirst.”

“John Deasy resigned (or was pushed) from his position as Los Angeles school superintendent after a series of arrogant and disastrous maneuvers, including a fiasco of trying to purchase thousands of iPads. Earlier this month, the FBI seized twenty boxes of documents related to that program from the District’s offices.”

Read about Ferlazzo’s worst 2014 education news and more here.