What Research Says about Small Classes & Their Effects
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Bruce J. Biddle and David C. Berliner, WestEdWinter 2002
Bringing Evidence-Driven Progress to Education: A Recommended Strategy for the U.S. Department of Education
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy and U.S. Department of EducationNovember 2002
Georgia offers teacher "warranty"
The Peach State's public university system will retrain graduates of its fifteen teacher ed programs if they prove ineffective within their first two years on the job. The extra training - possibly the country's first large-scale attempt to guarantee teacher quality - will be provided at no cost to the teacher or school district.
In praise of information
Chester E. Finn, Jr.The federal Department of Health and Human Services recently unveiled a new website where one can obtain comparative data on U.S. nursing homes - thousands and thousands of them. Check out http://www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/Home.asp and follow the steps to locate a county, city or state that interests you. It's fascinating.
Calling the ACLU!
Diane RavitchIn its issue of November 27, 2002, Education Week described the efforts being made by public schools to accommodate the religious needs of Islamic pupils.
Massachusetts approves alternative to MCAS diplomas
After months of heated debate, the Massachusetts Board of Education has voted to allow Bay State school districts to award "certificates of attainment" to students who, despite solid attendance and acceptable grades in their academic courses, thrice fail to pass the MCAS exam required for high school graduation.
NEA updates education indicators
The National Education Association has released an 8-page update to its annual Rankings & Estimates: Ranking of the States and Estimates of School Statistics, which will now be compiled semi-annually.
New perspectives on "public" education and value-added testing
The Progressive Policy Institute recently released a pair of brief policy reports that deserve your attention.
ASBJ examines teacher induction, urban school leadership
In the December issue of American School Board Journal, Harry Wong and Christina Asquith make the case for a comprehensive, multi-year "induction" program for fledgling educators that goes beyond assigning a mentor and passing out copies of the discipline code ("Supporting New Teachers"; not available online).
Which comes first: good schools or vibrant cities?
In last month's Governing, Alan Ehrenhalt argued that politicians' grandiose promises to turn around failing schools - which reveal a lopsided emphasis on the condition of education at the expense of other pressing issues - are harmful and misleading.
Why private schools don't act like businesses
Regarding the issue raised in Chester Finn's editorial about the 92nd Street Y (Nov.
Why the Blob hates charter schools
In a ringing endorsement of charter schools, Newsweek's Jonathan Alter recently explained why "mindless boards of education and reactionary teachers unions" are trying to smear them. He claims charters are a "workable and often inspiring form of public school choice" halfway between vouchers and the status quo - and, as such, they threaten the establishment's power.
Big Brother and the National Reading Curriculum: How Ideology Trumped Evidence
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Richard L. Allington2002
Bearing, and shedding, the failure label
The Jacksonville Times offers a depressing look inside Andrew Jackson High School, one of 64 failing Florida schools, revealing a "battle zone of academic frustration" and blame that's unlikely to change anytime soon.
Three Paths, One Destination: Standards-Based Reform in Maryland, Massachusetts and Texas
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Achieve, Inc.November 2002
California's Charter Schools: Oversight at All Levels Could be Stronger to Ensure Charter Schools' Accountability
Chester E. Finn, Jr.California State AuditorNovember 2002
Texas, Michigan wrestle with standards
Noting that it's better to raise standards than to back down from a higher benchmark, Texas's board of education approved a motion to set a moderate but rising standard for passing the rigorous new TAKS exam. This replaces the celebrated TAAS test, on which many Lone Star students and schools had bumped against the ceiling.
Young Americans clueless about geography
Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 earned a "D" average on a recent National Geographic survey of geography and current events. Only 13 percent could identify Iraq on a map of the Middle East, and an astonishing 11 percent failed to locate the U.S. on a global map!
On private schools and urban schools
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Unless you've been wholly absorbed trussing your turkey, you have read of the recent flap concerning Sanford Weill's assistance to Jack Grubman in gaining admission of the latter's twin tykes to the 92nd Street Y's pre-school program in 2000. This ultra-exclusive Upper East Side pre-school program enrolls 175 youngsters and accepts just 65 annually.
Pennsylvania adopts sensible teacher quality reforms
Eliminating a major barrier to classroom entry for recent college graduates and career-switchers, the Keystone State's board of education last week voted to deem "qualified" those teachers who receive training from Teach for America and other national alternative programs.
Portland principal wishes one-fourth of his teachers would leave
If ever there were a case to be made for allowing principals to hire and fire their staff, Portland's Whittaker Middle School is it. Principal Tom Pickett told The Oregonian that, until a quarter of his current teachers are replaced, pupils in his failing school won't stand much chance of being adequately educated.
Professional development dollars down the drain
Chicago's public schools reaped little reward for their nearly $200 million investment in professional development last year because the money was spent "without any 'overarching strategy' for improving instruction," and without a demand for proof of improvement. So concludes an outside audit.
Reformers, not teachers, lack a funny bone
Checker Finn asked why there is so little humor among educators in America. [See http://www.edexcellence.net/gadfly/issue.cfm?issue=35#1480.] Three reasons come to mind.
High-quality charter schools receive national accreditation
Four exemplary charter schools in Arizona and North Carolina have been granted national accreditation as part of a pilot program by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE).
Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators 2002
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development2002