SC: Just Say No to Florida “Miracle”
As Jeb Bush’s claims of miraculous powers of education reform spread across the land, South Carolina is considering legislation to flunk third-graders who don’t pass the state’s standardized test.
The legislation, introduced by State Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, would cause about 3,000 children to be held back. Research is clear that grade retention is highly associated with dropping out in later grades. Low
The legislation, introduced by State Senate Majority Leader Harvey Peeler, would cause about 3,000 children to be held back. Research is clear that grade retention is highly associated with dropping out in later grades. Low
Which Path? Finland or South Korea
This NPR program contrasts the different paths of Finland and South Korea. Too bad it relies only on results of PISA tests. US students did much better on the latest TIMSS.
Frankly, I’m getting tired of the same old talk about international test scores.
We live in the world’s most economically successful nation, with the most advanced this, that, and the other. Why are we always looking for another nation to copy?
We do lead the world–that is, the most industrialized nations–in child poverty. Why not aim to be #1 in children’s health and well being?
Frankly, I’m getting tired of the same old talk about international test scores.
We live in the world’s most economically successful nation, with the most advanced this, that, and the other. Why are we always looking for another nation to copy?
We do lead the world–that is, the most industrialized nations–in child poverty. Why not aim to be #1 in children’s health and well being?
Will Charters Bankrupt Nashville Public Schools?
Tennessee grows closer to allowing unlimited expansion of charters in its two biggest cities by negating the power of local school boards to grant charters. This, remember, is the ALEC plan for privatization of public resources.
In Nashville, the Metro Nashville school board is worried about whether the growth of charters will bankrupt the district. Charter advocates, unsurprisingly, say don’t worry.
But pay attention to Inglewood, California. Only a decade ago, conservatives said tat Inglewood was a miracle
In Nashville, the Metro Nashville school board is worried about whether the growth of charters will bankrupt the district. Charter advocates, unsurprisingly, say don’t worry.
But pay attention to Inglewood, California. Only a decade ago, conservatives said tat Inglewood was a miracle
Earth to Tennessee: Yes, Muslim Schools Will Get Vouchers
As we are learning, Tennessee legislators and education “leaders” operate in an alternate universe.
They want to cut the welfare benefits of families if their children get low test scores.
They want to attract for-profit corporations to drain taxpayer dollars out of the public schools, and never hold them accountable for bad results (see, Tennessee Virtual Academy).
They do whatever ALEC tells them because it is hard to think up new laws to help corporations all by yourself.
They want to cut the welfare benefits of families if their children get low test scores.
They want to attract for-profit corporations to drain taxpayer dollars out of the public schools, and never hold them accountable for bad results (see, Tennessee Virtual Academy).
They do whatever ALEC tells them because it is hard to think up new laws to help corporations all by yourself.
Sol Stern: The Cheating Scandals That Are Not Investigated
Veteran journalist Sol Stern looks at the Atlanta cheating scandal from a different angle.
Pay for performance plans send big bucks to certain adults, he points out.
And those plans lead some people to cheat.
It is up to the people in charge to investigate.
He shows how in one egregious example in New York City, where the scores zoomed up, then collapsed, the city didn’t even bother to investigate the principal in charge of the school. She retired with a tidy boost to her
Pay for performance plans send big bucks to certain adults, he points out.
And those plans lead some people to cheat.
It is up to the people in charge to investigate.
He shows how in one egregious example in New York City, where the scores zoomed up, then collapsed, the city didn’t even bother to investigate the principal in charge of the school. She retired with a tidy boost to her
The Ten Plagues of Testing: A Passover Tale
Fred Smith, a testing specialist and consultant, was an administrative analyst for the New York City public schools. He’s a member of Change the Stakes, an advocacy group of parents and educators concerned about the impact of testing in schools. In the following tale, “Tweed” is shorthand in NYC for the NYC Department of Education. Guess who the Pharoah is? There is more than one.
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An Anti-Passover Story: The 10 Plagues of Testing
There doesn’t seem to be any relief from high-stakes testing which has become the cruelest of taskmasters in
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An Anti-Passover Story: The 10 Plagues of Testing
There doesn’t seem to be any relief from high-stakes testing which has become the cruelest of taskmasters in
Who Should Take the Tests?
Recently, the Providence Student Union persuaded 50 accomplished professionals to take a math test made up of items released from the test required for high school graduation.
I think that anyone who demands more tests or that all students should take the same tests should take the same tests and release their scores.
This reader has a suggestion:
“I believe that anyone who is contemplating running for U.S. Senator or Representative should have to pass their
I think that anyone who demands more tests or that all students should take the same tests should take the same tests and release their scores.
This reader has a suggestion:
“I believe that anyone who is contemplating running for U.S. Senator or Representative should have to pass their
How to Destroy the Public Schools of Baton Rouge
Readers sent me links to articles that show how a new superintendent in Baton Rouge is systematically destroying public education there.
The superintendent worked previously in Grand Rapids, where he was put on leave and his contract was bought out.
Before that he was in Kansas City, a district that has been afflicted with a series of ineffective leaders.
First, read this account of his plan to remake the Baton Rouge schools by eliminating attendance zones and
The superintendent worked previously in Grand Rapids, where he was put on leave and his contract was bought out.
Before that he was in Kansas City, a district that has been afflicted with a series of ineffective leaders.
First, read this account of his plan to remake the Baton Rouge schools by eliminating attendance zones and
Why Cities Should Not Close Schools
Jack Hassard explains here that public schools are part of the fabric of their communities. Closing them tears apart the fabric of their lives. It harms children, families, and communities. It does not save money.
He cites the advocacy of Edward Johnson in Atlanta, a follower of W. Edwards Deming, who has diligently explained the folly of closing schools based on some arbitrary goal set by people who are not educators.
As Hassard writes, “As Deming (1994a) points out, beware of common sense when we think about such issues as ranking children by grades, ranking schools and teachers by test scores, and rewards and punishments. Deming believes that grades should be abolished, and that the ranking of people and schools should not occur.
He cites the advocacy of Edward Johnson in Atlanta, a follower of W. Edwards Deming, who has diligently explained the folly of closing schools based on some arbitrary goal set by people who are not educators.
As Hassard writes, “As Deming (1994a) points out, beware of common sense when we think about such issues as ranking children by grades, ranking schools and teachers by test scores, and rewards and punishments. Deming believes that grades should be abolished, and that the ranking of people and schools should not occur.
Diane in the Evening 3-31-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
