NEW from Fordham: Is EngageNY uncommonly engaging?
The Education GadflySince we at Fordham began reviewing state academic standards in 1997, we have understood—and made clear—that standards alone are insufficient to drive improvements in student achievement.
Uncommonly Engaging? A Review of the EngageNY English Language Arts Common Core Curriculum
Elizabeth Haydel, Sheila Byrd CarmichaelThe need for standards-aligned curricula is the most cited Common Core challenge for states, districts, and schools. Yet five years into that implementation, teachers still report scrambling to find high-quality instructional materials. Despite publishers’ claims, there is a dearth of programs that are truly aligned to the demands of the Common Core for content and rigor.
Four lessons from the opt-out debate
Robert PondiscioTest refusals may force reformers to rethink their priorities. Robert Pondiscio
Trust, but verify
Robert PondiscioThe era of judging New York City Schools on academics is over. Robert Pondiscio
A test of education reform
The testing “opt-out” movement is testing education reform’s humility.
Getting College and Career Ready During State Transition Toward the Common Core State Standards
Jane SongPromising early signs that the standards are working. Jane Song
Wanna opt out of tests? Try this instead
Robert PondiscioParents should use the threat of test refusal to demand a well-rounded education for their kids.
Review: Brookings analyzes opt-outs and teacher evaluations
Jessica PoinerWhat is the critical mass of opt-outs and to what might it lead?
Opting out, race, and reform
Robert PondiscioArne Duncan was half right about those “white suburban moms.” Robert Pondiscio
Not meeting standards: A warning light, not a death sentence
Michael J. PetrilliMisunderstanding Common Core’s aspirational nature. Michael J. Petrilli
Ten arguments against Common Core presidential hopefuls should avoid
Tim ShanahanAn open letter to the candidates. Tim Shanahan
Bless the tests: Three reasons for standardized testing
Aaron ChurchillIt takes more than a "gut feeling" to know how a school is doing
EdReports.org
Victoria McDougaldA great resource fact-checks textbooks’ “Common Core-aligned” claims. Victoria Sears
GreatKids Milestones
Robert PondiscioA new video series shows what it looks like when your kid meets Common Core benchmarks. Robert Pondiscio
Moral facts and the Common Core
Kathleen Porter-MageeJust when you thought we’d run out of things to blame on the standards. Kathleen Porter-Magee
No time to lose on early reading
Robert PondiscioThis post has been updated with the full text of "No time to lose on early reading"
CPAC's Common Core vaudeville show
Robert PondiscioI’d like to see Bobby Jindal use a teleprompter the next time he attacks Common Core. I’d like to be reassured he knows how to read.
Using equity reports to drive school improvement in D.C.
When we talk about high standards, accountability, and school choice, one essential element is often overlooked: giving parents and education leaders information they can actually use. It’s one thing to produce data, but quite another to make it useful—easily understood, comparable, and actionable.
The state-led ESEA compromise
A few weeks ago, I used a graphic to show the four dimensions of federal accountability, each of which has a range of options. I then used this graphic to show the consensus for preserving NCLB testing.
America's Millennials: Overeducated and unprepared
Robert PondiscioA sobering new report says our most educated generation still can’t compete. Robert Pondiscio
Common Core and America's High-Achieving Students
Jonathan PluckerGadfly editorial by Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Amber M. Northern
Can gifted education survive the Common Core?
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Higher standards are no excuse to ditch gifted services. Chester E. Finn, Jr. and Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
An ode to Common Core kindergarten standards
This post originally appeared in a slightly different form at Psychology Today.
Dual enrollment course content and instructor quality
Michael BrickmanThe pros and cons of college courses in high school. Michael Brickman
The central problem with Jason Riley's argument
Michael J. PetrilliWe at Fordham are big fans of Jason Riley, a Wall Street Journal columnist who just joined the team at the Manhattan Institute.
ESEA testing proposals in one picture
A couple weeks ago, I created a graphic to help explain the contours of the debate about federal accountability in the ESEA reauthorization process.
One size fits most, even in the suburbs
Michael J. PetrilliSome progressive parents will never embrace Common Core. And that’s OK. Michael J. Petrilli
Is Common Core too hard for kindergarten?
Robert PondiscioThere’s no such thing as too much, too soon in reading. Robert Pondiscio