. >> ifill: john merrow has the story of summer school in a failing district in rhode island, where officials are trying to help students catch up. >> i didn't do a lot of math this summer and i don't think my scores are improving. >> my friends just sit home and watch tv. they don't do much.

john merrow is the education

. >> ifill: john merrow has the story of summer school in a failing district in rhode island, where officials are trying to help students catch up. >> i didn't do a lot of math this summer and i don't think my scores are improving. >> my friends just sit home and watch tv. they don't do much. >> brown: ray suarez examines the turnabout at augusta national golf club and its decision to accept women members. >> ifill: lindsey hilsum reports from the west african nation of mali, where al qaeda militants have seized a huge area of land. >> the rest of the world should not stand just to look at the situation. unless they would like to see another somalia or another afghanistan. >> brown: and judy woodruff talks to e.j. dionne about his new book, on america's political divide. that's all ahead on tonight's newshour. major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: >> bnsf railway. and with the ongoing support of these institutions and foundations. and... this program was made possible by the corporation for public broadcasting. and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you.

john merrow is the education correspondent for pbs "newshour" and president of learning matters.r. merrow began his career as an education reporter with the national public radio in 1974 with the weekly program, options in education. joining dr. merrow are two people familiar speaking in front of you, delaware governor jack markell and nevada governor brian sandoval. also joining the panel is dr. dr.edie hirsh, professor emeritus of education and humanities at the university of virginia. please join me in welcoming them all. [applause] >> thank you very much, denise. um, i would just say a quick word about my three panelists. e.d. her jr., called don, is an american hero -- e.d. hirsh. i'm not going to say any more because he's getting an award later on. you'll hear lots of great stuff ant him. [laughter] but i would say, you know, journalists by definition don't have any friends, but we keep lists of people we would like to be friends with. [laughter] and he's on my list. [laughter] brian sandoval, republican governor of nevada, he's probably tired of hearing the term "rising st