Commentary
The death and life of great American education organizations
Why do the woes of the Education Commission of the States (ECS) put me in mind of the late Jane Jacobs?
Commentary
Science experiment
The latest results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in science are out, and they provide compelling evidence that accountability works. The old saying goes that "what gets tested gets taught." That's not quite right; what schools are held accountable for gets taught-and learned.
Commentary
Slavery sleuth
Few chapters in American history are more painful than the Atlantic slave trade. Historian Sheldon Stern, author of Fordham's Effective State Standards for U.S. History: A 2003 Report Card, is certainly aware of that.
Commentary
Soul sisters
Education bigfeet Deborah Meier and Diane Ravitch have been at odds on school-related issues over the last thirty years. But when they recently met over lunch to prepare for a debate about No Child Left Behind, both were surprised by how much common ground they shared.
Commentary
What Education Schools Aren't Teaching About Reading and What Elementary Teachers Aren't Learning
National Council on Teacher QualityMay 2006
Commentary
Can you comprenderme now?
Massachusetts's most recent test results show that non-native English speakers have trouble functioning in a regular classroom, and bilingual education activists are hyping the news like Don King promoting a Tyson fight.
Commentary
Local control, out of control
Last month, when Chicago's South Loop School held elections for its local school council, voters were surprised to witness "a ‘smelly' crew of disheveled men, some reeking of alcohol," punching ballots. The situation further deteriorated when one man asked the school's principal, "Where do we get our five dollars for voting?" Some foul play was afoot.
Commentary
Commentary
Strengthening Transition by Encouraging Career Pathways: A Look at State Policies and Practices
Katherine L. Hughes and Melinda Mechur KarpAmerican Association of Community Colleges2006
Commentary
Funding secession
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford thinks he's found the solution to the state's school funding disparities. The Palmetto State's current model, he says, "disadvantages rural South Carolina." But a system "where you were funding kids and you put the money in the kid ... would lead to complete portability ...