Today's Quotable and Notable
Quotable: "The class teaches values that America doesn't really hold that much anymore. ??I've learned to think about cowboy values when tough things come my way."
PA and RTT
Very interesting document from Pennsylvania's state chief to districts regarding the Race to the Top.
Today's Quotable and Notable
Quotable: "It is no exaggeration to say...that [impending layoffs] will be the end of public education in the city of Los Angeles as we know it, and that is admitting that the service we already provide is not enough."
Three cheers for integrated charter schools
Michael J. PetrilliA recent UCLA Civil Rights Project report lamented that the charter school movement is contributing to the resegregation of our public schools. It's not that charters are allowing white families to escape to exclusive enclaves (as some had feared might happen).
Steve Sawchuk buzzsaws the Partnership for 21st Century Skills
Michael J. PetrilliThis Education Week article about P21 is well worth reading, as is Lynne Munson's no punches pulled post.
Short term gains cause a lot of pain
Michael J. PetrilliTwo recent stories indicate that reform is a lot harder to sustain than to initiate.
School Improvement Grants
Last week, the Department released final documents for the $3.5 billion School Improvement Grant program.
Some interesting stuff
New report: charters make up 74% of schools with extended learning time (charters represent only??5% of all public schools) Gist making it tougher to become a teacher in RI
Today's Quotable and Notable
Quotable: ???If you're at a hedge fund, [education reform] is definitely the hot cause???These are the kind of guys who a decade ago would have been spending their time angling to get on the junior board of the Met, the ballet.??? ??? Joe Williams, executive director of Democrats for Education Reform
California and RTT
Earlier this week, I spoke to a group of California school board members about the ARRA and RTT. I love talking to these groups because their questions and concerns typically serve as a great wake-up call. That is, what we're talking about in DC is often not at all what's on their minds.
Revisiting the No-Washington-Meddling Doctrine
Alyson Klein over at Ed Week dug through the Department's SIG application and found two very interesting quotes. The first explains why the Department isn't giving locals more flexibility.
Robert Scott, right-wing Reaganite?
Michael J. PetrilliLet me admit upfront that I don't know Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott hardly at all; I think I've been in the same room with him once or twice. But his reputation is as a thoughtful policy wonk and adept administrator-a "good government," non-ideological type.
I Love New York
New York City (followed closely by New Orleans) is my favorite city for education reform.
Common Core Standards update
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.I had the soggy pleasure yesterday of trudging, in the pouring rain, over to 101 Constitution Ave. for the latest update on the Common Core Standards Initiative from NGA and CCSSO. Apparently attendees didn't mind getting wet because it was a packed house.
Education news coverage
Interesting event at??Brookings yesterday afternoon about media coverage of education. The focus was a paper by Russ Whitehurst, E.J.
The Impact of No Child Left Behind on Student Achievement
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Thomas Dee and Brian JacobNBER Working PaperNovember 2009
Better brew in new stein
Gadfly’s high hopes and expectations for New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner were sustained by his first major policy move. In a presentation to the Regents, Steiner made an impassioned case for reform of teacher preparation.
Teaching about Islam
What to think when a self-proclaimed Jewish-American ex-Trotskyist Muslim-convert neoconservative comments on the treatment of Islam in state history standards in a post-9/11 world?
No oaks needed
We have schools that teach Ebonics, schools that don’t assign grades or tests, schools that promote Afro-centric or
Is "separate but equal" the best we can do?
Michael J. PetrilliTry this education Rorschach. Imagine a public school that’s knocking the roof off of the state test. Its classes are led by energetic, passionate, thoughtful teachers who engage their students in rigorous study. The curriculum is rich and varied, with plenty of time for history and science, art and music, along with the 3 Rs.
Dusk, indeed
Chester E. Finn, Jr.To the editor:It's great to have Mike back in the saddle. The old horse was moving slower and slower without his spurs.
Missing your connecting flight
The “helicopter parent” may be coming back to earth, or so this longish TIME piece hypothesizes. As readers may know, helicopter parents hover over their children pretty much 24/7.
When seniority doesn't rule the school
On November 24, Arizona's H.B. 2011, originally passed in September, went into effect.
A "Race to the Top" flip-flop
Michael J. PetrilliThe Wall Street Journal editorial page has already taken the Administration to task for backing away from some of its tougher "Race to the Top" provisions around teacher evaluations and ch
Eduwonk Andy aches for more accountability
Michael J. PetrilliAndy Rotherham's latest* U.S. News column argues that transparency is not enough in most policy spheres, including education. Accountability is needed, too.