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Race to the Top-District and the union juggernaut
When we take a closer look at the districts that opted to apply for RTTT-D grants, a picture of union influence emerges
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What’s right with Montgomery County
I profiled several dozen schools and school districts that were working for kids, and Montgomery County was not just one of them—it was one of the best.
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First Bell 1-4-13
A first look at today's education news: Todd Rokita will be the new chairman of the House subcommittee on K-12 education policy, parents of students whose schools may close are looking into new options for the children, and more.
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First Bell: 1-3-13
A first look at today's education news: The NY Ed Reform Commission released their initial recommendations, Teach for America is popular with would-be finance professionals, and more
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Trapped in Mediocrity: Why Our Schools Aren't World-class and What We Can Do About It
Another governance-reform convert
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Gifted students have ‘special needs,’ too
You don't have to search hard for evidence that teachers and school systems are neglecting gifted students
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First Bell 1-2-13
A first look at today's education news: Education funding has been temporarily spared from "fiscal cliff" cuts, the NRA's proposal to place armed security guards at schools is met with skepticism, and more
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Fordham's biggest hits of 2012
Thank you for your readership, and we look forward to bringing you more analysis in 2013
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Charter Schools, Curriculum & Instruction
One last thing before you go…
Andy Smarick's pick of the news, from PARCC to Zuckerberg
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Doing More with Less in K-12 Education: Cleveland State University
Nate Levenson and other experts discuss smarter ways to stretch school dollars.
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First Bell 12-21-12
A first look at today's education news: Mayan apocalypse rumors cause more than 30 Michigan schools to close, the "Finnish miracle story" may be an exaggeration, and more
Video
Turnaround Merry-go-round: Is the music stopping?
In November 2012, the U.S. Department of Education released an analysis of the federal School Improvement Grants program, which invests in persistently underperforming schools with the expectation that they will turn around. The early results of its most recent $3-billion infusion, as described by Education Week: "mixed" (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2012/11/initial_school_imp…). Two-thirds of the schools made gains in math or reading scores, but the other third saw achievement decline. Program supporters contend that one year of data is not enough to draw conclusions about the program. Critics ask whether taxpayers should expend a single cent more on what they deem a failed experiment. Who's right? The Fordham Institute is bringing together three leading voices on urban schooling for a debate on the future of turnarounds: Bellwether Education and Fordham edu-wonk Andy Smarick; the Department of Education's Carmel Martin; and former Chicago schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard.
Commentary
Frank Macchiarola (1941-2012), RIP
He was student-centered, politically astute, tireless, very smart, entrepreneurial—and kind, generous, and decent
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First Bell 12-20-12
A first look at today's education news: NYC school officials backtrack from plan to overhaul gifted-and-talented programs, New Orleans bans the teaching of creationism, and more
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Sandy Hook and school reform
When we pick ourselves up and turn back to our day jobs, the work of school reform, there is an unavoidable question: What does Sandy Hook mean for that work?
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First Bell 12-19-12
A first look at today's education news: School districts consider arming their security officers, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder vetoes a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons in schools, and more
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Our Responsibility, Our Promise: Transforming Educator Preparation and Entry into the Profession
The Council of Chief State School Officers has released a set of recommendations for fundamentally transforming the preparation and licensure of both teachers and principals
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First Bell 12-18-12
A first look at today's education news: A Pennsylvania man pleads guilty to defrauding the NYC Ed Dept of $2.7 million meant for special-education children, Forbes identifies the "30 under 30" in education, and more
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Sandy Hook is an outstanding school
May those who perished rest in peace. And may Sandy Hook, in time, resume its outstanding education record.
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First Bell 12-17-12
A first look at today's education news: President Obama's words to Newtown, parents and educators think about how to discuss safety with children, and more
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General Failure
On the importance of holding executives accountable and the lurking dangers when those on the ground are disconnected from those in policy positions.
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First Bell 12-14-12
A first look at today's education news: Philadelphia to close 37 schools, school-to-prison pipelines on trial, and more
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First Bell 12-13-12
A first look at today's education news: Tony Bennett is Florida's new education chief, teacher-pension programs are on shaky legs, and more
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A primer on right-to-work and collective bargaining in education
Michigan officially became the 24th right-to-work state in the nation—an astounding turn of events in a former bastion of collective bargaining. So what does this mean for teacher unions?
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First Bell 12-12-12
A first look at today's education news: Michigan becomes a right-to-work state, the news media is confused about the most recent international test scores, and more