Mapping the Landscape of Charter Management Organizations
Christina HentgesJoanna Smith, Caitlin Farrell, Priscilla Wohlstetter, and Michelle NayfakCenter on Educational Governance, University of Southern CaliforniaApril 2009
Talking tough
Chester E. Finn, Jr.To the occasional consternation of colleagues and friends who are more interpersonally sensitive and politically correct, I've been known to define "consensus" as an agreement or state of affairs that leaves all parties equally unhappy.
Patrick's puzzling proposal
We were lukewarm on Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's "Readiness Project" last summer, but it seems that a year's time has made some of its elements slightly warmer.
Empty districts
School-less school districts? There are more than 285 of them across the land; but as of fall 2010, that number will decline by 26, thanks to New Jersey. Governor Jon Corzine has just signed legislation that would close down the twenty-six in an effort to "[reduce] the size of government," "[develop] greater efficiencies over time," and ease tax burdens.
Trivia travails
It's Trivia Night on a lazy summer evening and the MC bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Jones, he of 6th grade science and big baby blues. Wonder why? Because it is Mr. Jones, and he's gotten himself a second gig. Central Massachusetts is seeing an influx of teachers moonlighting for extra cash on their summer vacations--as trivia moderator at the local tavern.
When failing is passing
Around this time last year, schools in Texas were waiting with bated breath for their state report cards. This year, the pressure's a little less intense. That's because, under Texas's six-month-old revamped accountability system, some students who fail statewide tests will still be counted as passing--so long as they're on track to pass at some point before they graduate high school.
NEA's Chanin has choice words for conservatives
Stafford PalmieriIt's got to be a good story when the sub-head reads thusly: "Editor's Note: Some of the language in the following story may be offensive."
Checker Finn talks with John Merrow
Checker discusses national standards with John Merrow in this interview on the Taking Note blog. The conversation covers the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), No Child Left Behind and includes Checker's judgment on the direction of U.S.