Common Core 'spring training': Maintain realistic expectations
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D., Michael J. PetrilliEveryone knows that the Common Core State Standards initiative has turned into a political football. But a more apt analogy might be baseball—spring training, to be exact. That’s because, for all the colorful commentary, the Common Core is still in the very earliest phases of implementation.
Standards, the free market, and education reform
Yesterday, Kathleen discussed the relationship between standards and choice, ultimately arguing that these two movements ought to operate as complements, rather than antagonists.
The Effect of Co-Locations on Student Achievement in NYC Public Schools
New York mayor Bill de Blasio has made clear his aversion toward charter schools, singling out in particular his predecessor’s policy of allowing charter schools to co-locate with the city’
How Well Aligned Are Textbooks to the Common Core Standards in Mathematics?
Alyssa SchwenkJust because the label on that pint of ice cream says it’s “fat free” doesn’t mean it won’t expand your waistline—and just because a textbook is labeled “Common Core aligned” doesn’t mean it actually covers the material it’s supposed to.
Common Core in the Districts: An Overview
Preparation is key to any successful team’s run to the playoffs and a World Series championship. Spring training gets players in game shape. Teams play exhibition games, trying out prospects and going through different scenarios to be as prepared as possible before the season gets underway.
4 Takeaways from SXSWedu
Michelle LernerThe SXSWedu portion of the famously cool SXSW festival is the oddball segment, as evidenced by the early start and the attendees actually wearing suits. Besides the un-SXSW vibe of SXSWedu, there were a ton of takeaways for policy wonks. Here are four key ones:
4 Takeaways from SXSWedu
Michelle LernerThe SXSWedu portion of the famously cool SXSW festival is the oddball segment, as evidenced by the early start and the attendees actually wearing suits. Besides the un-SXSW vibe of SXSWedu, there were a ton of takeaways for policy wonks. Here are four key ones:
Chris Cerf: In appreciation
Last week, Chris Cerf stepped down after three extraordinarily successful years as New Jersey’s commissioner of education. Education observers in the Garden State and beyond will remember his tenure for its major initiatives.
Who will take an early lead in literacy?
Having observed, and occasionally weighed in on, the Common Core standards debates, I’m sure of one thing: no one is paying enough attention to the good work educators across the country are doing as they attempt to b
Homegrown Common Core implementation: A good bet for Reno
The recently released Fordham report on the implementation of the Common Core State Standards includes the work of Washoe County, my district.
The de Blasio paradox: Private money and public schools
By now, education observers are aware of New York City mayor Bill de Blasio’s incursion on the Big Apple’s charter sector.
Netflix Academy: The best streaming videos on birds
Michael J. PetrilliNote: This post is part of our series, "Netflix Academy: The best educational videos available for streaming." Be sure to check out our previous Netflix Academy posts on&n
Private Schools, Public Vouchers - Policy Leaders Panel
State-funded voucher programs have stoked political controversy, culture clashes, and pitched court battles. In Ohio, vouchers (aka "scholarships") enable students without access to a good public school--or limited means--to attend a private school.
Private Schools, Public Vouchers - Policy Leaders Panel
State-funded voucher programs have stoked political controversy, culture clashes, and pitched court battles. In Ohio, vouchers (aka "scholarships") enable students without access to a good public school--or limited means--to attend a private school.
One Million Lives, Year One
Aaron ChurchillThe National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) has emerged as one of the nation’s staunchest proponents of charter-school quality.
Private Schools, Public Vouchers - School Leaders Panel
State-funded voucher programs have stoked political controversy, culture clashes, and pitched court battles. In Ohio, vouchers (aka "scholarships") enable students without access to a good public school--or limited means--to attend a private school.
Education’s endless, erroneous either-ors
Chester E. Finn, Jr.The K–12 education world brims with debates and dichotomies that get us into all manner of needless quarrels and cul-de-sacs, thus messing up every reform initiative and retarding progress.
Private schools and public vouchers: Policy leaders panel
Good things happen in private schools that take voucher students.
The invaluableness of 'obscure' words and the SAT
“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”
The Obama administration’s 2015 K–12 budget request
The Obama administration has just released its 2015 budget proposal. Here are its most notable K-12 edu-features.
The Match Between Teaching and the Test
Paul E. BartonDiscussions about current education-reform efforts are typically focused on three separate topics: the Common Core standards, the new tests, and the curriculum. The alignment among the three seems to receive little attention—though it is a critical matter, as the degree of alignment will determine the validity of student test scores.
A school choice proposal with legs…in New York State?
Michael BrickmanAs legislative sessions across the country continue to wind down, it's worth keeping tabs on some of the big private-school-choice proposals still under consideration.
A brewing storm around third-grade reading
Chad L. AldisOhio is facing a potential “storm” in relation to the reading success of its third grade students. It’s critical that parents, teachers, administrators, and policymakers stay calm and remind themselves how important reading is to a child's long-term success.
Vocation is back
Aaron ChurchillThere are strong calls for a Renaissance in vocational education in Ohio. Here's what we think.
Virtual Schools: Assessing Progress and Accountability
Jeff MurrayA brief look at how accountability options for virtual schools can be strengthened.
Do standards matter? A teacher’s perspective on the promise and potential of the Common Core
I started teaching seven years ago, and I have worked in four different schools in three different states. I’ve always sought schools and environments with higher standards for what students should know and be able to do, as well as higher expectations for what teachers can accomplish.