Displaying 1-7 of 7 results
Commentary
8.26.2014
Charter Schools, Accountability & Testing

A plea to Marc Tucker (and his colleagues)

Marc Tucker is the author of an important new report: Fixing Our National Accountability System. Although Marc and I disagree on the promise of Relinquishment (most specifically on charter schools), I agree with much of this thinking. But, in this report, Marc makes a strategic mistake in dismissing choice-based reforms. To put it another way: if there is a grand bargain to be made that significantly increases student achievement in the United States, it could look like this: Reduce testing frequency and increase testing rigor Improve the quality of the teaching force Increase charter schools and choice

Commentary
8.25.2014
Standards, Accountability & Testing

Holding a wolf by the ears

Robert Pondiscio

I have a complicated relationship with testing.

Commentary
8.13.2014
Charter Schools, Accountability & Testing

Does Student Attrition Explain KIPP's Success?

Robert Pondiscio

A new Mathematica study persuasively puts to rest a common charge leveled at KIPP charter schools: that their test score gains are largely attributable to the attrition of their lowest-performing students. The authors compare nineteen KIPP middle schools to district schools and find no meaningful difference among those who walk in the door of each type of school.

Report
8.12.2014
School Finance, Governance, Teachers & School Leaders

The Hidden Half: School Employees Who Don't Teach

Matt Richmond

The number of non-teaching staff in the United States (those employed by school systems but not serving as classroom teachers) has grown by 130 percent since 1970. Non-teachers—more than three million strong—now comprise half of the public school workforce. Their salaries and benefits absorb one-quarter of current education expenditures.