After years of uncertainty surrounding its future and a move to temporary classrooms, Hamilton Avenue School appears to be making a comeback.

At least according to the results of the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT), which found that out of 595 public elementary schools in the state, Hamilton Avenue School had the third largest increase in student scores for fourth graders between the 2004 and 2006 tests.

In 2004, only 47% of the schools fourth graders scored within goal range and in 2006 the number rose to 71%.

In addition, the school had a 17-point increase in the number of students who took the fall 2004 fourth grade CMT and the spring 2006 fifth grade CMT.

Efforts to improve results are part of the districts overall efforts to close achievement gaps in student performance.

Eight local firms make Texas Aggies fast-growth 100 list

Eight San Antonio area companies earned spots on the Texas Aggies 100 list -- a ranking of the fastest-growing companies either owned or operated by former Texas A&M University students.

Stocks to Watch: Delta, Goodyear, Kohl's, Mattel, Oshkosh ...

Andersons (ANDE) and Marathon Oil (MRO) said they have agreed to form a 50/50 joint venture to construct one or more ethanol plants. Andersons will provide day-to-day management. Chrysler (DCX) is encountering resistance from big dealers to its efforts to shrink its inventory of unsold vehicles. The development may make it harder for the auto maker to bounce back from an expected loss in the third quarter. Teamster representatives said the union has reached a tentative agreement with Delta Air Lines (DALRQ) Comair Airlines. By Nov. 14, about 1,000 flight attendants will vote on the agreement, which strengthens job security and caps health insurance payments, according to the union. Enzo Biochem (ENZ) said the fourth-quarter net loss widened, as revenue fell, to $4.51 million, or 14 cents a share, from a net loss of $1.47 million, or 6 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.

Conquering the Great Outdoors

Designed by Martha Kerr, CMKBD, of the Neil Kelly Co. in Portland, OR, the outdoor kitchen shown above shows the key concepts discussed in this article. For example, this outdoor cooking area has a ventilation system to control airborne cooking contaminates, and provides gas heat for chilly evenings. However, Kerr says in the future, shed use an electric heater because its easier to control than gas units. .

Teaching Position: Assistant Professor of History, Princeton ...

Area of Research: Modern and contemporary history of the Middle East and North Africa, with broader interests in the French colonial empire, the history of Islam since 1700, and colonial and nationalist historiography. Education: D.Phil., Oriental Studies, University of Oxford, 2002. Major Publications: McDougall is the author of History and the Culture of Nationalism in Algeria, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Middle East Studies 24, July 2006). He is also the editor of Nation, Society and Culture in North Africa (London and Portland, Frank Cass, History and Society in the Islamic World 6, May 2003, which was first published as Journal of North African Studies 8,1 (Spring 2003)). McDougall is currently working on a number of book projects including: Fragments of empire. Everyday forms of colonialism in France and Africa (Book-length research project in progress) with Julia A.

Palm Water awarded US$400 million contract by Nakheel for STP at ...

Widening its presence in the water industry, Palm Water LLC, a company owned by Istithmar, has said it had been awarded an US$400 million contract by Nakheel to design, build, own and operate (DBOO) a sewage treatment plant as well as sewage and irrigation networks that will cater to a number of high-profile property development in Dubai.