GOVERNING: State government news on politics, management & financ en-us GOVERNING magazine provides leading intelligence articles on management, policy and politics to help guide and inspire innovative leaders across state and local government. Wed, 19 Jun 6:26:09 PDT The Growing Movement to Get Better Teachers into the Classroom http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-school-teacher-education-preparation-setting-higher-standards.html Thu, 13 Jun 14:0:00 PDT Teacher education programs have long set a low bar for students seeking to enter the profession. That is finally beginning to change. Can Phoenix Find a Way Out of its Pension Mess? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-phoenix-police-firefighter-public-pension-spiking.html Thu, 6 Jun 18:0:00 PDT Some police and firefighters are getting hundreds of thousands of dollars in pension payouts, draining the city's finances and helping to shrink the public-safety workforce. Pension benefits need to be tied to contributions. How Going 'Lean' Fattened the Washington State Lottery's Payoff http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-washington-state-lottery-lean-customer-service-improvement-increased-revenue.html Wed, 29 May 14:0:00 PDT A team at the Washington state lottery found a way to better adapt to retailers' needs. The result was a big boost in sales. How New Orleans is Rebuilding Its Ruined School System from the Ground up http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-rebuilding-new-orleans-public-schools.html Tue, 28 May 17:0:00 PDT After Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans started over. A far better school system has emerged from the floodwaters. Big Data, Analytics and a New Era of Efficiency in Government http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-big-data-analytics-government-efficiency.html Wed, 22 May 14:0:00 PDT The ever-growing volume of information created and captured by the modern digitized world is an opportunity for government to reinvent itself. Illinois Lawmakers' Dilemma: 2 Ways to Fix Public Pensions http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-illinois-public-pension-reform-dilemma.html Wed, 15 May 14:0:00 PDT State lawmakers moving to fix the nation's worst-funded pension system have a choice: a plan that saves a lot of money or one that might survive a court challenge. A New Way to Tame the Public-Pension Beast? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-adjustable-pension-plan-defined-benefit-contribution-cash-balance.html Wed, 8 May 14:0:00 PDT Adjustable pension plans could help governments control both risk and their out-of-control retiree-benefit costs. When Data Drives Innovation http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-innovations-awards-top-25-initiatives-data-driven-innovation.html Wed, 1 May 16:30:00 PDT Many of the top entrants for Innovations Awards demonstrate that technology applied creatively can shift governments from reactive service delivery to prescriptive solutions. Can Vocational Education Produce the Citizens We Need? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-vocational-education-academic-standards.html Wed, 24 Apr 14:0:00 PDT Students on the technical track need solid academics, not just job training. It's important to spend these public-education dollars wisely. Public Workers, Secret Pensions http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-massachusetts-bay-tranportation-authority-pension-information-secrecy.html Thu, 18 Apr 14:0:00 PDT Under an unusual arrangement dating back to 1948, information about the Boston-area transit agency's pension system doesn't have to be made public. That may soon change, and it ought to.