Granite State of mind
The Education GadflyNew Hampshire’s alternative assessments. A peek under the PARCC and SBAC hood. And LAUSD’s ticking fiscal time bomb.
No, Hillary, public schools do not "take everybody"
Robert PondiscioUncomfortable questions about school discipline, suspension, and expulsion Robert Pondiscio
Don't mess with NAEP now!
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Remember that past changes were controversial and probably unwise. Do not stir this pot again now. Chester E. Finn, Jr.
Charters are much more than district R&D
When Hillary Clinton recently told an audience that the purpose of charter schooling is to “learn what works and then apply (it) in the public schools,” she made the obvious mistake of implying that cha
Six headlines from 2015 NAEP TUDA
I spent a few hours digging into the recently released 2015 NAEP TUDA data. The results didn’t get much media coverage. That’s a shame because these are the best assessments for understanding student performance in (and comparing the results of) America’s biggest urban districts.
A different kind of lesson from Finland
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Brandon L. WrightFinland has been lauded for years as this planet's grand K-12 education success story, deserving of study and emulation by other nations. The buzz began with its impressive Program for International Student Assessment results in 2000, which stayed strong through 2006.
Denver area school board elections: Five lessons in education politics
Editor's note: On Tuesday, November 3, Denver and its surrounding suburbs held school board elections. What follows are five takeaways from Van Schoales and his colleagues at A+ Denver, a local education reform organization that aims to harness civil leadership to increase student achievement in the area.
Is detente possible? District-charter school relations
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D., Michael J. PetrilliCollaboration tends to be fairly shallow, but it’s still worthwhile. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D. and Michael J. Petrilli
Aligning K-12 and postsecondary career pathways with workforce needs
Stephan ShehyState efforts are uneven, but some are on the right track. Stephan Shehy
Teachers and financial incentives: Structure matters
Damien SchusterThere’s a glaring weakness in merit pay systems, but we can strengthen them. Damien Schuster
Virtual charter school students are not learning nearly enough
Chad L. Aldis, Jamie Davies O'LearyCREDO’s latest charter school study paints a grim portrait of America’s e-schools. Chad Aldis and Jamie Davies O’Leary
Doing the right thing
The Education GadflyPell grants for dual college enrollment and Nevada’s early returns on education savings accounts.
Disruptive students hurt strivers most
Michael J. PetrilliCreate orderly, challenging environments where high-achieving but disadvantaged students can learn. Michael J. Petrilli
Germany is leaving its bright students behind
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Brandon L. WrightIn 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.
The Race-to-the-Top mindset
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 City is failing its bright poor students
Brandon L. Wright, Chester E. Finn, Jr.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.
The problem isn't testing, it's short-term thinking
David GriffithLast 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.
Pell grants should go (only) to needy students who are ready for college
Chester E. Finn, Jr.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)?
Common Core's alignment with the 2015 NAEP math assessment
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Alignment is close, but some variations exist. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
Public charter schools must become even more innovative
Jessica PoinerOtherwise, we may end up with two struggling school systems
Promises and pitfalls of using NAEP data to assess states’ roles in student achievement
Robert PondiscioA fascinating contribution that makes the sin of misNAEPery slightly harder to commit. Or abide. Robert Pondiscio
The lost boys
The Education GadflyMore trouble for young males. And three cheers for Delaware’s approach to evaluating its education schools.
President Obama's meaningless pledge to reduce school tests
Robert PondiscioThe time spent testing isn’t the issue; the problem is the sky-high stakes attached. Robert Pondiscio
CREDO’s latest findings: Virtual charter school students are not learning nearly enough
Chad L. Aldis, Jamie Davies O'LearyDismal news for Ohio policymakers, pundits, taxpayers, and school choice advocates
Heartbreak on NAEP
Michael J. PetrilliAs disappointing as these results are, let’s not jump to conclusions. Michael J. Petrilli
The administration wants it both ways on testing
Michael J. PetrilliIt wants fewer tests but isn’t willing to give up on test-based teacher evaluations. Michael J. Petrilli
What is high-quality early education, and can its effects last?
Jamie Davies O'LearyA Tennessee program receives low marks despite checking all the “high-quality” boxes. Jamie Davies O'Leary
Rewarding experienced teachers: How much do schools really pay?
Jessica PoinerCash-balance pension plans are fairer to young teachers and more sustainable to boot Jessica Poiner
The hidden value of curriculum reform
Robert PondiscioWhat’s it going to take to get curriculum taken seriously as a reform lever? Robert Pondiscio