Notes in the Margins: Free speech, cell phones and the Common Application

Most Schools Violate Free Speech Act, New Study Shows Two thirds of colleges maintain speech codes that violate students' First Amendment rights, according to a new report released by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). (Huffington Post)

On Average, Students Check Phones 1 To 5 Times During Class College students use cell phones in class, despite knowing that it adversely affects their concentration, according to a study conducted at the University of New Hampshire. (Huffington Post)

States Hold Colleges Accountable For Graduation Rate More and more states are looking to link college budgets to schools' performance — such as number of degrees produced and the ability to graduate challenging students. The idea has been tried before, but now many states say tough finances make it more important than ever to get something for their investment. (NPR)

With Common Application, Many Find a Technical Difficulty in Common, Too The Common Application, accepted by more than 400 colleges, cuts some answers off at the margins. (feeds.nytimes.com)

Parents of Student Who Committed Suicide Tell Rutgers University They May Sue The parents have not decided whether they will sue, but they filed notices preserving their right to do so. (feeds.nytimes.com)

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