First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to visit a school in Brooklyn at the start of a four day trip to the United States.

Image source, Getty Images

She said she is hoping to learn lessons from the New York education system that could help raise attainment in Scotland.

The first minister has said that improving Scottish education is a "defining priority" for her government.

Critics point out that after eight years of SNP administration, standards in reading, writing and arithmetic in primary and early secondary are falling.

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Disruption on Edinburgh Trams due to a road closure.

All trams are terminating at Murrayfield until further notice and buses in the West Maitland Street area are being diverted.

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Scotland

England manager Roy Hodgson has predicted a "ding-dong" battle when Scotland take on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Hodgson's men fought out a goalless draw with the Irish on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium.

Image source, SNS

England beat Scotland 3-1 in November just days after the Scots had edged out Martin O'Neill's side at Celtic Park.

"I think it's going to be very competitive, very exciting," said Hodgson, whose side lead Group E.

O'Neill and his players host Scotland looking for a win of their own to put them firmly back in contention to qualify for Euro 2016.

A home win would lift the Republic of Ireland above Gordon Strachan's team in Group D.

BBC Radio Scotland

Here is a snapshot of what will air on Good Morning Scotland:

• Scotland Bill - Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray offers the Labour perspective

• Prison break - A manhunt is underway for two convicted murderers who used power tools to escape from a maximum security facility in New York state

• Prostitution - Campaigners want to challenge the demand to buy sex. Hear how they plan to go about it live on Good Morning Scotland

Image source, AP

The Scottish economy will continue to grow this year but it is no longer keeping pace with the UK as a whole, according to a leading forecaster.

The EY Scottish Item Club said the Scottish economy matched UK growth in 2014.

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It is predicting growth of 2.2% north of the border this year, 0.2% higher than it originally forecast in December.

But Scotland is expected to undershoot UK growth by about 0.5% in 2015.

The forecaster said that pattern could "persist" for several years to come.

Senior economic advisor Dougie Adams said the "short-term stalling" of the Scottish economy, compared with the rest of the UK, stemmed from a combination of factors.

MPs will consider and vote on plans to devolve more powers to Scotland when the House of Commons debates the second reading of the Scotland Bill later.

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The bill follows the recommendations of the Smith Commission, which was set up after the independence referendum.

It would give Holyrood control over income tax rates and bands, a half share in VAT revenues and a greater say over welfare powers in Scotland.

The SNP say the bill falls short in almost every way.

The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, will open the debate.

Caroline Henderson
BBC News

Welcome to the Scotland Live page on Monday 8 June.

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