Common Core's alignment with the 2015 NAEP math assessment

Alignment is close, but some variations exist. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.

Public charter schools must become even more innovative

Otherwise, we may end up with two struggling school systems

Promises and pitfalls of using NAEP data to assess states’ roles in student achievement

A fascinating contribution that makes the sin of misNAEPery slightly harder to commit. Or abide. Robert Pondiscio

The lost boys

More trouble for young males. And three cheers for Delaware’s approach to evaluating its education schools.

President Obama's meaningless pledge to reduce school tests

The time spent testing isn’t the issue; the problem is the sky-high stakes attached. Robert Pondiscio

CREDO’s latest findings: Virtual charter school students are not learning nearly enough

Dismal news for Ohio policymakers, pundits, taxpayers, and school choice advocates

Heartbreak on NAEP

As disappointing as these results are, let’s not jump to conclusions. Michael J. Petrilli

The administration wants it both ways on testing

It wants fewer tests but isn’t willing to give up on test-based teacher evaluations. Michael J. Petrilli

What is high-quality early education, and can its effects last?

A Tennessee program receives low marks despite checking all the “high-quality” boxes. Jamie Davies O'Leary

Rewarding experienced teachers: How much do schools really pay?

Cash-balance pension plans are fairer to young teachers and more sustainable to boot Jessica Poiner

The hidden value of curriculum reform

What’s it going to take to get curriculum taken seriously as a reform lever? Robert Pondiscio

Down and out in Jackson and Selma

Is LAUSD railroading Rafe Esquith? Also: the value of lectures, and a sad tale of wasted promise.

America's abandoned smart kids

Intel cuts the cord on its Science Talent Search sponsorship and drives another nail into the coffin of U.S. gifted education. Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Brandon L. Wright

If national test scores are down, blame the recession

Why wait for regular old mis-NAEP-ery when you can practice pre-NAEP-ery?

RTTT vs. the Race to the Top era

Editor's note: This post is the first entry of a three-part series on Race to the Top's legacy and the federal role in education. You can read the final two entries here and here.

Ohio’s $71 million charter school grant: Stop asking why, and start asking now what

Four steps for wise and productive use of the CSP windfall

Tennessee’s statewide voluntary pre-kindergarten program: Revisiting the definition of “high quality”

What is quality early education and can its effects last?

Democratic debate's rare snippets of education included college affordability, early learning

For viewers eager to hear the Democratic presidential candidates’ stances on K–12 education policy, the Tuesday’s primary debate was a disappointment. However, the two front-runners, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, did speak at length about the necessity of college affordability and their plans for tuition-free campuses.

High-flying charter networks

Ohio's doors are open for you

Peer effects at community colleges

Insufficiently prepared students hold back classmates who might otherwise graduate. David Griffith

School composition and the black-white achievement gap

Selection effects are a big issue for studies of school segregation too. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.

The Chicago way

Correcting perceptions about testing, confirming them about Chicago, and amending them about Massachusetts.

Ohio backpedaled on proficiency, but it's the exception

Most states are living up to their commitments to provide more honest information to parents. Michael J. Petrilli

Charter reform in Ohio

A lesson in good lawmaking

Finland's "joyful, illiterate kindergarteners"

Beware the snake oil. The fact is that early learning produces long-term gains. Tim Shanahan

How schools can offset the "Asian advantage" for other kids, too

The Asian American Achievement Paradox, a new book by Jennifer Lee and Min Zhou, prompted New York Times columnist Nick Kristof to pen a 

Yes, achievement tests matter. No, they don't capture everything

In a series of blog posts (I, II, III, 

The Excellence Gap: The State of Gifted & Talented Education

Ed Next Book Club: Failing Our Brightest Kids