Quotable and notable
???You just don't need this sophisticated assessment stuff. What you need is excellent teachers who stay in contact with their kids and work with them day after day. We've just gone test crazy.??? ???Dr. Nel Noddings, Stanford University education professor emerita
Quotable and notable
?You just don't need this sophisticated assessment stuff. What you need is excellent teachers who stay in contact with their kids and work with them day after day. We've just gone test crazy.? ?Dr. Nel Noddings, Stanford University education professor emerita
Explanations of gender achievement gaps are important to pursue, even if some are annoying
This month Center on Education Policy came out with a report on achievement gaps between boys and girls (see Janie's review of it here).
Explanations of gender achievement gaps are important to pursue, even if some are annoying
This month Center on Education Policy came out with a report on achievement gaps between boys and girls (see Janie's review of it here).
Serve some gin, others juice
The Harambee Institute of Science and Technology, a charter school in West Philadelphia, has forever changed the meaning of the phrase “School is Cool.” Until last week, the K-8 school’s cafeteria doubled on weekends as Club Damani, a nightclub and lounge serving alcohol off an expired liquor license.
No Child Left Behind: An Interim Evaluation of Its Effects on Learning Using Two Interrupted Time Series Each With Its Own Non-Equivalent Comparison Series, DRAFT
Daniela FairchildManyee Wong, Thomas D. Cook, and Peter M. Steiner Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University January 2010
What Next? Educational Innovation and Philadelphia's School of the Future
Mary Cullinane and Frederick M. Hess, eds.Harvard Education Press2010
Testing Crist, too
The Florida education-reform spotlight is about to shift from the legislature to the governor's office, where Charlie Crist is probably going to have to decide, perhaps as early as tonight, whether to sign or veto the major "teacher reform" bill.
The "buy-in" paradox
Chester E. Finn, Jr.The most dangerous word in the education-reform lexicon is “stakeholder” and the most problematic among the infinite theories that reformers espouse is that widespread “stakeholder buy-in” is essential if anything is actually to change.
Race to the Test hits the ground running
Stafford PalmieriWith the ink still damp on Race to the Top’s first round winners’ checks, the Education Department has launched its next stimulus-funded competition: $350 million to “consortia” of states to develop “common assessments” in alignment with “common standards.” These funds are a portion of Duncan’s discretionary kitty, which he announced in Febr
Substance over form
So why did Tennessee and Delaware win in the first round of Race to the Top? The growing consensus is that the crucial factor was “stakeholder support” (buy-in from unions, districts, etc.).
Authorizing excellence
The land of 10,000 lakes is not keen on letting 1,000 flowers bloom. Nearly a year ago, the Minnesota legislature decided to ramp up expectations for charter school authorizers. It put in place a more rigorous process to qualify as an authorizer and required more direct contact between authorizer and school.
Maryland and RTT
Good editorial from the Washington Post on Maryland's attempt to pass a mild reform bill to marginally help it compete for RTT funds. Lots of angles: unions, state chief, governor, two different bills, approaching end of legislative session...
Maryland and RTT
Good editorial from the Washington Post on Maryland's attempt to pass a mild reform bill to marginally help it compete for RTT funds. Lots of angles: unions, state chief, governor, two different bills, approaching end of legislative session
Eight questions for Chester Finn
Checker shared his thoughts in this recent interview, posted on the Economist's blog, Democracy in America.
Let's hear it for Florida!
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Hurrah for the Education Policy Council?of Florida's House of Representatives for endorsing the bold teacher-reforms of pending bill
Quotable and notable
"Although it was a long, sometimes difficult process, it was the right process to go through." ??? Chancellor Michelle Rhee, DC Public Schools
Quotable and notable
?Although it was a long, sometimes difficult process, it was the right process to go through.? ? Chancellor Michelle Rhee, DC Public Schools
Needle in a haystack: Citizens' Academy
Though it serves the same challenged population as many urban schools, Citizens' Academy in Cleveland boasts an outstanding academic track record. Check out our video to learn what the school's teachers and leaders believe are the keys to the school's extraordinary success.
No Child Left Behind: An Interim Evaluation of Its Effects on Learning
Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern UniversityManyee Wong, Thomas D. Cook, & Peter SteinerNovember 2009
Should federal dollars be used to try to turn around failing charters?
Terry RyanCharter schools are different from traditional district schools in that they are free of many regulations and operating constraints, but in return for their freedoms they are held accountable for their results. Those charter schools that fail to deliver results over time are closed, the theory holds.
Rick Hess sets Gadfly straight
Mike LaffertyFrederick M. Hess is an educator, political scientist and author who studies K-12 and higher education issues.
Columbus district leadership defends transportation costs of school choice
Emmy L. PartinThe Columbus City Schools could potentially save millions in transportation expenses, which make up 8 percent of the district’s budget, by requiring students to attend schools close to their homes, according to a report presented to the s
Treating Different Teachers Differently: How State Policy Should Act on Differences in Teacher Performances to Improve Teacher Effectiveness and Equity
Center for American ProgressBy Robin Chait and Raegen MillerMarch 2010
Weak links to student achievement in school funding model
Members of Ohio’s School Funding Advisory Council have expressed concerns about the efficacy of the state’s new evidence-based model (EBM) of school funding.