Creating a Culture of Literacy: A Guide for Middle and High School Principals, and Reading at Risk: How States Can Respond to the Crisis in Adolescent Literacy
Martin A. Davis, Jr.National Association of Secondary School Principals2005 National Association of State Boards of EducationOctober 2005
Using School Choice: Analyzing How Parents Access Educational Freedom
Greg ForsterThe Milton and Rose D. Friedman FoundationOctober 2005
No right-wing critique left behind
No Child Left Behind was recently highlighted by two conservative columnists, David Brooks and George Will. In the Times, Brooks tweaked NCLB by arguing that the future is in human capital - that is, the cultural, social, moral, cognitive, and aspirational aspects of each individual. Skills and knowledge, "the stuff measured by tests," are but one part of this.
Out of ideas? Ask the kid and the felon
While gubernatorial races hogged election-day press coverage, a couple of local races in Michigan and California have raised eyebrows. In the Great Lakes State, 18-year-old Michael Sessions is making a case for "hands-on" learning. Why study civics? Just do it! He won the Hillsdale mayoral race, as a write-in candidate, by two votes.
Pythagoras knows best
In Penfield, N.Y., high-flying math whiz Jim Munch looked to be the poster child for constructivist math curriculum. He scored a 5 on the A.P. Calculus exam, and hopes to become a theoretical mathematician. Turns out, he succeeded in spite, not because of, his school's progressivist training.
Remembering Gaynor McCown (1960-2005)
Kate WalshMy friend, colleague, and boss Gaynor McCown died this week, leaving this earth far too soon at the age of 45. Gaynor started as Executive Director of The Teaching Commission during the same month that I started at the National Council on Teacher Quality. She set up a lunch so that we could meet and talk about how our two organizations could work together.
Supremely sensible
Parents who contend that schools are failing their special needs children will now have to do more than make the claim in order to get the additional services they desire. They'll have to prove their case.
Tough choices on teacher quality
Michael J. PetrilliOK, school reformers, it's pop-quiz time. Take out your # 2 pencils and circle the answer with which you agree.To boost teacher quality, policy makers should:a. Allow principals to hire the best teachers they can find, regardless of credentials; or