The NY Times Editorial Endorsing Common Core
Several readers asked me to comment on the New York Times editorial endorsing the Common Core.
I held off because there didn’t seem to be anything to say other than that the Times’ editorial board is repeating what they were told by promoters of the Common Core. The Common Core has serious problems, and there is no evidence that the Times gave any thought to those problems.
It really does matter that no one knows how these standards will work in practice.
No one knows if they will narrow or widen the achievement gaps. Given Sean Reardon’s article in the same
I held off because there didn’t seem to be anything to say other than that the Times’ editorial board is repeating what they were told by promoters of the Common Core. The Common Core has serious problems, and there is no evidence that the Times gave any thought to those problems.
It really does matter that no one knows how these standards will work in practice.
No one knows if they will narrow or widen the achievement gaps. Given Sean Reardon’s article in the same
Indiana Testing Halted by Computer Glitch
Teachers’ salaries in Indiana will be based on state test scores, but the administration of the computer-based tests came to a stop today because the computer servers stopped serving.
There was a time long ago when teachers were trusted to write their own tests and grade them. But that was when states assumed that teachers were professionals. Now the states trust out-of-state corporations and computers.
There was a time long ago when teachers were trusted to write their own tests and grade them. But that was when states assumed that teachers were professionals. Now the states trust out-of-state corporations and computers.
Stop Blaming Schools for Inequality!
In a terrific opinion piece that was prominently featured in the Sunday New York Times, Sean Reardon of Stanford University wrote that the gap between the children of the rich and the children of the poor has grown by 40% in the past 30 years.
Reardon puts to rest virtually every reformer myth: schools don’t cause inequality; schools don’t cure inequality: the achievement gap(s) begin before the first day of school. Stop blaming schools for conditions beyond their control. Poverty matters.
Reardon writes : “We are still talking about this despite decades of clucking about the crisis in American education and wave after wave of school reform.Whatever we’ve been doing in our schools, it hasn’t reduced
Reardon puts to rest virtually every reformer myth: schools don’t cause inequality; schools don’t cure inequality: the achievement gap(s) begin before the first day of school. Stop blaming schools for conditions beyond their control. Poverty matters.
Reardon writes : “We are still talking about this despite decades of clucking about the crisis in American education and wave after wave of school reform.Whatever we’ve been doing in our schools, it hasn’t reduced
Dilbert Explains VAM for You
Ever tried to understand value-added modeling but found the jargon incomprehensible?
You are not alone.
Most people have had that experience.
Here is the clearest explanation I have seen.
It makes perfect sense.
You are not alone.
Most people have had that experience.
Here is the clearest explanation I have seen.
It makes perfect sense.
DFER, EdTrust, et al Insist on High-Stakes Testing for California
I don’t understand this story.
It says that “civil rights groups” demand that Arne Duncan turn down a request for a waiver from a group of districts in California.
Since high-stakes testing invariably ends up with poor and minority kids at the bottom of the bell curve, it is hard for me to understand why civil rights groups would demand more of it.
Since accountability typically means that schools enrolling the neediest kids get closed, why would civil rights
It says that “civil rights groups” demand that Arne Duncan turn down a request for a waiver from a group of districts in California.
Since high-stakes testing invariably ends up with poor and minority kids at the bottom of the bell curve, it is hard for me to understand why civil rights groups would demand more of it.
Since accountability typically means that schools enrolling the neediest kids get closed, why would civil rights
Advice to Those Considering Teach for America
John Merrow recently offered advice to those considering joining Teach for America, and retired teacher and active blogger G.F. Brandenburg decided to offer his own advice.
Brandenburg links to Merrow’s post.
Brandenburg’s advice can be summarized in a word: Don’t.
Brandenburg links to Merrow’s post.
Brandenburg’s advice can be summarized in a word: Don’t.
Florida Charters Score $91 Million from Public School Construction Funds
Remember when charter advocates said they could do a better job of educating kids with less money? You probably don’t remember, it was years ago.
The charters have forgotten it too. In Florida, the charter lobby just got $91 million from the Legislature. This is
The charters have forgotten it too. In Florida, the charter lobby just got $91 million from the Legislature. This is
Me on Sirius-XM Every Monday Morning
Pete Dominick has a regular show on Sirius-XM called “Stand Up! with Pete Dominick.” He invited me to discuss the state of education every Monday morning at 7:35 am EST.
This was our first conversation, this morning.
Pete has children in public school and is very concerned about over-testing. He is right.
This was our first conversation, this morning.
Pete has children in public school and is very concerned about over-testing. He is right.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-29-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] NYC Mayoral Education Debate, May 2 in Brooklyn by dianerav Want to know where the Democratic primary candidates stand on education? Ask!View this email in your browser *A forum on the future of public education*in NYCwith Democratic primary mayoralcandidatesModerated by*Diane Ravitch* Thursday May 2nd 5:30-7:00 pm PS 29 (425 Henry Street, Brooklyn) What do 800,000+ New Yorkers have in common? We are NYC public school parents. And Parents Ask Questions. Ask You... more »