How to Make Big Bucks as a Teacher
Teachers at a charter school in Louisiana received eye-popping bonuses.
One got a bonus of $43,000–more than 75% of her annual salary–for raising test scores by 88% in one year.
Five teachers shared bonuses of $167,000,
The money comes from a federal grant.
One teacher saw a gain of nearly 200%, but she teaches kindergarten, so she received only $4,086.
One got a bonus of $43,000–more than 75% of her annual salary–for raising test scores by 88% in one year.
Five teachers shared bonuses of $167,000,
The money comes from a federal grant.
One teacher saw a gain of nearly 200%, but she teaches kindergarten, so she received only $4,086.
Is NECAP a Valid Test for Graduation?
A reader sends this information about the Néw England assessment:
In terms of cut scores, this data from New Hampshire puts things in perspective:
2010-2011 graduation rate: 86% (3rd in US)
2011 Science and Engineering Readiness Index (SERI) ranking: 4th in US
2011 NAEP Mathematics:
4th grade scale score state rank: 2nd
4th grade % of students below basic: 8% (2nd)
8th grade scale score state rank: 6th
8th grade % of students below basic: 18% (4th)
2009 NAEP 11th Grade Mathe
In terms of cut scores, this data from New Hampshire puts things in perspective:
2010-2011 graduation rate: 86% (3rd in US)
2011 Science and Engineering Readiness Index (SERI) ranking: 4th in US
2011 NAEP Mathematics:
4th grade scale score state rank: 2nd
4th grade % of students below basic: 8% (2nd)
8th grade scale score state rank: 6th
8th grade % of students below basic: 18% (4th)
2009 NAEP 11th Grade Mathe
Sgouros to Gist: If I Am Wrong, Tell Me Why
As we saw in the previous postTom Sgouros explained in detail why it was wrong for Rhode Island to use the NECAP as a graduation requirement. It was not designed for that purpose, and many students will fail who should have passed.
State Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist said Sgouros was wrong because he is not a psychometrician. She did not explain why he was wrong, not did she understand that psychometricians would likely agree with Sgouros. The cardinal rule of testing is that tests should be used only for the purpose for which they were
State Commissioner of Education Deborah Gist said Sgouros was wrong because he is not a psychometrician. She did not explain why he was wrong, not did she understand that psychometricians would likely agree with Sgouros. The cardinal rule of testing is that tests should be used only for the purpose for which they were
Why NECAP Should Not Be Used as a Graduation Test
Tom Sgouros, an engineer, wrote an open letter to the chair of the Rhode Island Department of Education, explaining succinctly why NECAP should not be used as a graduation test. It was not designed for that purpose. It will fail students who deserve to pass.
Anyone who reads and understands this letter will recognize that using NECAP for a graduation test is educational malpractice. If they persist in the face of clear evidence to harm children, they should resign or be
Anyone who reads and understands this letter will recognize that using NECAP for a graduation test is educational malpractice. If they persist in the face of clear evidence to harm children, they should resign or be
Fulton County, Georgia, Removes Line Separating Church and State
A Fulton County parent sent me this notice of a meeting today: the second annual Faith Summit “to forge partnerships between schools and the faith community. The free event is for leaders of local houses of worship to join school principals and district leaders in a collaborative discussion on practical ways to provide resources benefiting both schools and houses of worship.”
The parent was disturbed by that. It seems to be part of a larger trend to eliminate the line between public and private, between church and state. We can respect all religions, don’t you think, without bringing religious ideas into the public schools.
The parent was disturbed by that. It seems to be part of a larger trend to eliminate the line between public and private, between church and state. We can respect all religions, don’t you think, without bringing religious ideas into the public schools.
My Trip to North Carolina
I am speaking later today at UNC in Charlotte. I will be speaking at 7 pm at the
Cone McKnight Auditorium – UNCC campus
320 East Ninth St
Tomorrow in Raleigh. Details here.
Cone McKnight Auditorium – UNCC campus
320 East Ninth St
Tomorrow in Raleigh. Details here.
Was There Cheating in DC?
The National Research Council is conducting a five-year review of mayoral control and the D.C. Public schools.
The committee created for this purpose will meet on March 22.
There is an open session at 1 pm to discuss test security and the validity of test scores in D.C.
This is a good opportunity to listen, learn, and perhaps determine whether the researchers intend to conduct a
The committee created for this purpose will meet on March 22.
There is an open session at 1 pm to discuss test security and the validity of test scores in D.C.
This is a good opportunity to listen, learn, and perhaps determine whether the researchers intend to conduct a
It’s Not About the Test Scores at Harper High
Do you want to know what’s really wrong with American education? It is not about test scores. In some schools, it is about survival.
John Thompson writes about “This American Life’s” brilliant radio documentary, which describes a “turnaround” school in Chicago.
It is called “Harper High School.” Written and reported by Alex Kotlowitz, Ira Glass and Linda Lutton, it
John Thompson writes about “This American Life’s” brilliant radio documentary, which describes a “turnaround” school in Chicago.
It is called “Harper High School.” Written and reported by Alex Kotlowitz, Ira Glass and Linda Lutton, it
Louisiana Bloggers and Researchers Join the Honor Roll
Louisiana is the state most dedicated to wiping out public education and the teaching profession, under the leadership of Governor Bobby Jindal and state commissioner John White. Jindal and White are doing whatever they can to privatize public education with vouchers, charters, and a program to outsource as much as possible of the funding dedicated in the state constitution to the maintenance of public education.
As I have learned from many friends in that state, the governor does not like dissent. When people disagree with his policies, they risk losing their job. In conversations, I have been told again and again, “Don’t mention my name. Please.”
No matter how authoritarian or dictatorial the government may be, there are always a few brave souls who feel
As I have learned from many friends in that state, the governor does not like dissent. When people disagree with his policies, they risk losing their job. In conversations, I have been told again and again, “Don’t mention my name. Please.”
No matter how authoritarian or dictatorial the government may be, there are always a few brave souls who feel
Diane in the Evening 3-19-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Anti-Teacher Legislation Introduced in North Carolina Legislature by dianerav No more career teachers in North Carolina. That’s the goal of legislation introduced by Phil Berger, the President Pro Tem of the State Senate in North Carolina. The experienced, high-performing teachers would get a four-year contract. Others would get shorter contracts. No tenure for any teachers. Lots of performance pay built in. Bonuses would be tied to new teacher evaluation programs now From Rhode Island: “I Failed the Test” by diane... more »