PBS NewsHour business and economics correspondent Paul Solman is now answering questions from Next Avenue visitors about personal finances, business and the economy. His advice will appear on Next Avenue as well as Solman’s PBSNewsHour blog, Making Sen$e With Paul Solman,  and the Rundown, NewsHour’s blog of news and insight. PBS NewsHour is an hour-long television news program and accompanying [...]

The United States left the 2012 London Olympics with 104 medals in tow. But how do we stack up against the world when it comes to education? According to this infograph by Certification Map, the U.S. — which leads in gold medal count — is ranked seventh in high school graduation rates, trailing countries like Germany, [...]

As the co-founder of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the world’s largest philanthropic organization, Melinda Gates has spent decades looking at the challenges and potential solutions to the problems facing America’s education system. The foundation controls over $30 billion, which its staff uses to pursue the goal of giving every child an equal opportunity to [...]

When you think of the Women’s Rights Movement in the United States, what iconic images come to mind? How about Rosie the Riveter? She’s strong, she’s capable and she’s ready to take on the job of any man. Her image has evolved from its roots as a propaganda tool (encouraging women to enter the workforce [...]

A judge said today that Pennsylvania’s new voter ID law cannot take effect until after the Nov. 6 presidential election, meaning that voters in this swing state won’t yet have to show ID at the polls. In his ruling, Judge Robert Simpson said that the state had improved the system to issue voter IDs, but [...]