Aligning K-12 and postsecondary career pathways with workforce needs
State efforts are uneven, but some are on the right track. Stephan Shehy
State efforts are uneven, but some are on the right track. Stephan Shehy
There’s a glaring weakness in merit pay systems, but we can strengthen them. Damien Schuster
CREDO’s latest charter school study paints a grim portrait of America’s e-schools. Chad Aldis and Jamie Davies O’Leary
Pell grants for dual college enrollment and Nevada’s early returns on education savings accounts.
Create orderly, challenging environments where high-achieving but disadvantaged students can learn. Michael J. Petrilli
In The Atlantic this week, Carly Berwick praised Germany for raising its nationwide test scores while simultaneously reducing educational inequality. That’s no small feat—and one well worthy of recognition and accolades.
Editor's note: This post is the second entry of a three-part series on Race to the Top's legacy and the federal role in education. You can read the first entry here and the final entry here.
New York is leaving too many gifted children behind. Scads of K–3 students in low-income neighborhoods aren’t even taking entrance exams for gifted programs. Four of the city’s 32 school districts don’t even have programs for gifted students, and many that do aren’t getting the word out.
Last week, in the wake of President Obama’s pledge to reduce the amount of time students spend taking tests, my colleagues Robert Pondiscio and Michael Petrilli weighed in with dueling stances on the current state of testing and accountability in America’s schools. Both made valid points, but neither got it exactly right, so let me add a few points to the conversation.
What if federal aid for college students were focused exclusively on those who are truly ready for college? What if we stopped subsidizing remedial courses on campuses and insisted that students pursuing higher learning be prepared for college-level courses (none too strenuous nowadays in many places)?
Petrilli and Pondiscio discuss the fallen NAEP scores, debate the meaning of Obama’s pledge to reduce testing, and ponder school dress codes. Amber takes a look at NAEP’s alignment with Common Core math.
Alignment is close, but some variations exist. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
Otherwise, we may end up with two struggling school systems
A fascinating contribution that makes the sin of misNAEPery slightly harder to commit. Or abide. Robert Pondiscio
More trouble for young males. And three cheers for Delaware’s approach to evaluating its education schools.
The time spent testing isn’t the issue; the problem is the sky-high stakes attached. Robert Pondiscio
Dismal news for Ohio policymakers, pundits, taxpayers, and school choice advocates
As disappointing as these results are, let’s not jump to conclusions. Michael J. Petrilli
It wants fewer tests but isn’t willing to give up on test-based teacher evaluations. Michael J. Petrilli
A Tennessee program receives low marks despite checking all the “high-quality” boxes. Jamie Davies O'Leary
Cash-balance pension plans are fairer to young teachers and more sustainable to boot Jessica Poiner
What’s it going to take to get curriculum taken seriously as a reform lever? Robert Pondiscio
Is LAUSD railroading Rafe Esquith? Also: the value of lectures, and a sad tale of wasted promise.
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
Why wait for regular old mis-NAEP-ery when you can practice pre-NAEP-ery?
Intel’s withdrawal of its Science Talent Search sponsorship, the legitimacy of the “Asian advantage,” charter school policy’s importance to voters, and principals’ opinions of Teach For America alumni.
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.
Four steps for wise and productive use of the CSP windfall
What is quality early education and can its effects last?
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.