MONEY FOR NOTHING
Most Americans give poor marks to schools, but think their kids’ schools are pretty good. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Paul Peterson says the same is true on school spending. Most of us suffer from “buyer's delight”—the tendency to think we "got a deal even when an objective observer would conclude otherwise.”
ICYMI
If you didn’t tune in to the debate to end all debates—on the Common Core that is—you can download the podcast version of “Should We Embrace the Common Core?” Spoiler alert: Yes, we should.
ARNE RESPONDS TO BOBBY
“He had a couple of unsuccessful lawsuits,” notes Duncan in response to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s latest Common Core lawsuit against the federal government. Ouch.
FORDHAM IN THE NEWS
Fordham’s Dara Zeehandelaar talked charter schools, teachers unions, and why the two are more water-and-oil than peas-and-carrots with Education Week’s charters-and-choice expert, Arianna Prothero.
TO KEEP KAYA OR NOT TO KEEP KAYA
Jay Mathews of the Washington Post, despite many columns of tough criticism of the D.C. schools chancellor, calls for D.C. voters to support the mayoral candidate that backs Henderson. “If both candidates agree that she must stay, then a vote for either one is fine. If Catania won’t make that promise, then the choice is either Bowser or more years of chaos and heartbreak.”
HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS
A New York City charter school is catching heat for telling parents they will be reported to the city’s child-welfare agency if they make a habit of not picking up their children on time.
DON’T TEAR DOWN THE GOALPOSTS
Is there a good reason the Defense Department has been providing repurposed military equipment to universities? The New York Times lists several schools that boast assault rifles, mine-resistant vehicles, and modified grenade launchers in their armories.
CRAMMING FOR KINDERGARTEN
Preschool students preparing to enter kindergarten at elite private schools will be participating in a variety of admission tests this fall. Many of the assessments will be administered via iPads and run anywhere from five minutes to a few hours.
