To my friends on the Left and Right: Please stop polarizing the ESEA debate
Michael J. PetrilliIt’s finally here: Our best chance to update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act since its passage shortly after 9/11. A whole generation of students has come and gone, yet our nation’s key education law remains the same. There’s absolutely no good reason to delay reauthorization any longer. To the contrary; it’s sorely overdue.
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
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
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.
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.
Comparing Student Attrition Rates at Charter Schools and Nearby Traditional Public Schools
Jeff MurrayBusting myths, but not much to cheer about
NCLB accountability is dead; long live ESEA testing
Chester E. Finn, Jr.It’s fascinating—and telling—how rapidly the zillion issues tucked away in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act have been distilled down to arguments about testing.
Stump speech challenge: A New Deal on testing
Robert PondiscioAll the pro-testing talking points you’ll ever need. Robert Pondiscio
Stump speech contest: What members of Congress should say about testing
Michael J. PetrilliThe word around town is that support for annual testing among rank-and-file members of Congress—in both chambers and on both sides of the aisle—is dangerously low. They are constantly hearing complaints from their constituents about the overuse and abuse of standardized tests, and many are eager to do something about it.
ESEA update: More red than green in Lamar Alexander's reauthorization bill
Michael J. PetrilliLast week, I explained the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (a.k.a. No Child Left Behind) in a single table:
Ten things to know about Secretary Duncan's ESEA reauthorization speech
As I wrote last week, with the ESEA reauthorization process heating up, lots of advocates are now trying to influence the congressional deliberations. Secretary Duncan weighed in this morning.
ESEA reauthorization explained in a single table
Michael J. PetrilliESEA reauthorization explained in a single table
What the Dickens! 2014 in Education Reform
Michelle Lerner, Robert Pondiscio, Alyssa SchwenkIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Michelle Lerner, Robert Pondiscio, and Alyssa Schwenk
The reading paradox: How standards mislead teachers
Kathleen Porter-MageeYou can’t teach reading the way you teach other subjects. Kathleen Porter-Magee
A five-point plan to resuscitate Catholic schools
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Opportunities abound if only Catholic schools will seize them. by Chester E. Finn, Jr.
Fordham Institute to evaluate Common Core assessments on quality and content alignment
The Education GadflyFordham Institute to evaluate Common Core assessments on quality and content alignmentPARCC, Smarter Balanced, ACT Aspire, and Massachusetts participating in landmark studyMedia Contact:Michelle [email protected]
(What) Do Americans really think about education?
Joe Sixpack: You’re not paying attention. And much of what you think you know is wrong. Morgan Polikoff
Ten things to know about the CCSSO-CGCS testing plan
On Wednesday, CCSSO (the organization of state superintendents) joined with CGCS (the organization of big urban school districts) to announce joint plans to reassess and scale back testing programs.
Let's tell the truth: High-stakes tests damage reading instruction
Robert PondiscioAccountability works. But not in reading, which isn’t a subject or a skill. Robert Pondiscio