Common Core's first breakout hit?
Robert PondiscioA free online curriculum taps a need—and a nerve.
Closing the Expectations Gap 2014
Chester E. Finn, Jr.We’re doing an awful job of ensuring that kids graduate from high school with the skills to succeed. Chester E. Finn, Jr.
Truth and consequences
Chester E. Finn, Jr.States shouldn’t sugarcoat the bad news when reporting Common Core test results to parents. Chester E. Finn, Jr.
The Paperwork Pileup: Measuring the Burden of Charter School Applications
Kathryn MullenA new AEI report raises the right questions—and promulgates some of the wrong answers. Kathryn Mullen Upton
EngageNY's ELA curriculum is uncommonly engaging
Kathleen Porter-Magee, Victoria McDougaldAdvocates hoped Common Core would incentivize good new curriculum. It’s happening. Kathleen Porter-Magee and Victoria Sears
NEW from Fordham: Is EngageNY uncommonly engaging?
The Education GadflySince we at Fordham began reviewing state academic standards in 1997, we have understood—and made clear—that standards alone are insufficient to drive improvements in student achievement.
Uncommonly Engaging? A Review of the EngageNY English Language Arts Common Core Curriculum
Elizabeth Haydel, Sheila Byrd CarmichaelThe need for standards-aligned curricula is the most cited Common Core challenge for states, districts, and schools. Yet five years into that implementation, teachers still report scrambling to find high-quality instructional materials. Despite publishers’ claims, there is a dearth of programs that are truly aligned to the demands of the Common Core for content and rigor.
Knowledge is literacy
Robert PondiscioEditor's note: This post has been updated to include the entirety of "Knowledge is literacy."
The American Dream in crisis: A conversation with Robert Putnam
The Education GadflyLast week, Fordham hosted Robert Putnam for a discussion of his new book Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, which argues that a growing opportunity gap is leaving many American children behind.
Four lessons from the opt-out debate
Robert PondiscioTest refusals may force reformers to rethink their priorities. Robert Pondiscio
Trust, but verify
Robert PondiscioThe era of judging New York City Schools on academics is over. Robert Pondiscio
Games of knowledge: A review of Greg Toppo's "The Game Believes in You"
Robert PondiscioEditor's note: This post originally appeared in a slightly different form at U.S. News & World Report.I wanted to hate this book.
A test of education reform
The testing “opt-out” movement is testing education reform’s humility.
Getting College and Career Ready During State Transition Toward the Common Core State Standards
Jane SongPromising early signs that the standards are working. Jane Song
Wanna opt out of tests? Try this instead
Robert PondiscioParents should use the threat of test refusal to demand a well-rounded education for their kids.
Review: Brookings analyzes opt-outs and teacher evaluations
Jessica PoinerWhat is the critical mass of opt-outs and to what might it lead?
The promise of mastery grading
Jessica PoinerCall it mastery or competency-based education, it holds promise for students of all abilities
Opting out, race, and reform
Robert PondiscioArne Duncan was half right about those “white suburban moms.” Robert Pondiscio
Getting observations wrong: the Phil Jackson Fallacy
David GriffithWas Phil Jackson really a great coach? Despite his reputation as the Zen master of hoops, I’ve never been convinced. After all, Kobe, Shaq, and His Airness would have made any coach look like a genius, and there’s never been a natural experiment quantifying Jackson’s impact.
Don't know much about history
Robert PondiscioEditor's note: This post has been updated with the full text of "Don't know much about history."
Ten arguments against Common Core presidential hopefuls should avoid
Tim ShanahanAn open letter to the candidates. Tim Shanahan
Bless the tests: Three reasons for standardized testing
Aaron ChurchillIt takes more than a "gut feeling" to know how a school is doing
Shifting from learning to read to reading to learn
Robert PondiscioThis post has been updated with the full text of "Shifting from learning to read to reading to learn."
EdReports.org
Victoria McDougaldA great resource fact-checks textbooks’ “Common Core-aligned” claims. Victoria Sears
Moral facts and the Common Core
Kathleen Porter-MageeJust when you thought we’d run out of things to blame on the standards. Kathleen Porter-Magee
No time to lose on early reading
Robert PondiscioThis post has been updated with the full text of "No time to lose on early reading"
The Teaching Brain: An Evolutionary Trait at the Heart of Education
Megan LailBoth teacher and student characteristics ought to influence instructional design. Megan Lail
CPAC's Common Core vaudeville show
Robert PondiscioI’d like to see Bobby Jindal use a teleprompter the next time he attacks Common Core. I’d like to be reassured he knows how to read.
Using equity reports to drive school improvement in D.C.
When we talk about high standards, accountability, and school choice, one essential element is often overlooked: giving parents and education leaders information they can actually use. It’s one thing to produce data, but quite another to make it useful—easily understood, comparable, and actionable.