Seattle Will Drop MAP Test for High Schools
In a victory for teachers who boycotted the MAP tests this year, the Seattle superintendent Jose Banda said that the leadership team in each high school could decide whether to take it. For other schools it remains mandatory.
In Defense of AP Courses
Jeff Larsen writes:
Okay, I’ll bite. There are problems with some AP courses, but I think you’re painting with a broad brush here. My story is obviously anecdotal, but here at Lowell HS (just outside Grand Rapids, MI), our AP teachers aren’t focused on the test, nor do they teach “a mile wide and an inch deep” (that will happen, however, with Common Core). We take all students who want to attempt the course; those who succeed (in class and on the exam) find themselves better prepared for their first year of college than the average student. I’d also suggest that a 2002 study of AP course rigor isn’t relevant; there have been many changes to the courses over the past 11 years.
It doesn’t matter if my AP Lit students are Harvard-bound (where AP credits mean zilch) or heading to Grand
Okay, I’ll bite. There are problems with some AP courses, but I think you’re painting with a broad brush here. My story is obviously anecdotal, but here at Lowell HS (just outside Grand Rapids, MI), our AP teachers aren’t focused on the test, nor do they teach “a mile wide and an inch deep” (that will happen, however, with Common Core). We take all students who want to attempt the course; those who succeed (in class and on the exam) find themselves better prepared for their first year of college than the average student. I’d also suggest that a 2002 study of AP course rigor isn’t relevant; there have been many changes to the courses over the past 11 years.
It doesn’t matter if my AP Lit students are Harvard-bound (where AP credits mean zilch) or heading to Grand
What Is the Value of AP Courses and Tests?
High school rankings by popular media usually take into account how many students take AP exams. Some high schools push students to take AP courses whether or not they are prepared, just to satisfy the rankings. But are the AP courses an appropriate measure of high quality?
A few of the nation’s top private and public high schools have dropped the AP courses, on the belief that their teachers created better courses than the AP. See here and here .
A reader responded to an earlier post about the Tucson BASIS charter schools by questioning the value of AP
A few of the nation’s top private and public high schools have dropped the AP courses, on the belief that their teachers created better courses than the AP. See here and here .
A reader responded to an earlier post about the Tucson BASIS charter schools by questioning the value of AP
Professor Oyler: An Open Letter to My Students
The Teachers College community is divided about the institution’s decision to honor Merryl Tisch, chancellor of the New York Board of Regents. Tisch has made her mark as a champion of high-stakes testing and charter schools.
Professor Celia Oyler wrote the following message to her graduate students:
“An Open Letter to Graduating Master’s Students in the Elementary and Secondary Inclusive Education Programs
I will not be attending convocation this year as I am on parental leave. I know if I were attending I would not be able to remain silent while Merryl Tisch is given a TC Medal of Honor. Her actions while Chair of the New York
Professor Celia Oyler wrote the following message to her graduate students:
“An Open Letter to Graduating Master’s Students in the Elementary and Secondary Inclusive Education Programs
I will not be attending convocation this year as I am on parental leave. I know if I were attending I would not be able to remain silent while Merryl Tisch is given a TC Medal of Honor. Her actions while Chair of the New York
What Happens When Community College Students Take Online Courses?
A new report reviews the advent of online courses for community college students.
It was prepared by the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Online courses are popular because they seem to be a way to take courses at home, whenever it is convenient.
This is especially valuable for community college students because they are adults with multiple
It was prepared by the Community College Research Center at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Online courses are popular because they seem to be a way to take courses at home, whenever it is convenient.
This is especially valuable for community college students because they are adults with multiple
Pasi Sahlberg Blows Up Reformer Myths
Pasi Sahlberg, the great expert on education in Finland, here examines the founding myths of the corporate reform movement.
Reformers search for the teacher who can generate high test scores. They like the idea that teachers compete for rewards tied to scores. Sahlberg points out that a school is a team, not a competitive individual sport. Teachers must work together towards common goal.
Another fallacy is the “no excuses” claim that great teachers overcome all obstacles. Sahlberg reminds us that
Reformers search for the teacher who can generate high test scores. They like the idea that teachers compete for rewards tied to scores. Sahlberg points out that a school is a team, not a competitive individual sport. Teachers must work together towards common goal.
Another fallacy is the “no excuses” claim that great teachers overcome all obstacles. Sahlberg reminds us that
UTLA: Endorse Monica Ratliff
This comment came from a teacher in Los Angeles:
I (UTLA member) just wrote to UTLA leadership about their totally inane “dual endorsement” in the current school board election, and suggesting that they change it to a full endorsement of Monica Ratliff. I will post my letter below. If any UTLA members reading this agree, please express your sentiment to UTLA leadership also.
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Dear UTLA Board of Directors (and other UTLA officers),
I have been a teacher (and UTLA member) in LAUSD since 2002. Thank you for your work on
I (UTLA member) just wrote to UTLA leadership about their totally inane “dual endorsement” in the current school board election, and suggesting that they change it to a full endorsement of Monica Ratliff. I will post my letter below. If any UTLA members reading this agree, please express your sentiment to UTLA leadership also.
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Dear UTLA Board of Directors (and other UTLA officers),
I have been a teacher (and UTLA member) in LAUSD since 2002. Thank you for your work on
Michigan Decides to Open Buena Vista Schools
Governor Rick Snyder found it in his heart or his budget to let the children of Buena Vista go to school again. The schools were closed for a week after the district went bankrupt. The state has a constitutional duty to provide public education to its children.
Governor Snyder has given billions of dollars in corporate tax breaks.
Governor Snyder has given billions of dollars in corporate tax breaks.
Outstanding Proposal about ESEA/NCLB by AASA
Forgive all the acronyms but that is the way that headlines work.
The School Superintendents Association wrote a strong letter to Senator Tom Harkin about the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the basic federal legislation for elementary and secondary education, which is currently known as No Child Left Behind.
NCLB is generally recognized to be a disaster. The best evidence of its failure is the ever louder cries for
The School Superintendents Association wrote a strong letter to Senator Tom Harkin about the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the basic federal legislation for elementary and secondary education, which is currently known as No Child Left Behind.
NCLB is generally recognized to be a disaster. The best evidence of its failure is the ever louder cries for
Diane in the Evening 5-15-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: EduShyster Discovers an Excellent Teacher-School Matching Service by dianerav EduShyster gets great tips! In this post, she describes a dating service that matches teachers with just the right charter school. What will they think of next? Columnist: Tucson’s Top Charters Are Highly Selective by dianerav This year, once again, Tucson will bask in the knowledge that two of its charter schools–Basis and University High School– are among the top schools in the nation, according to the US News and World Report surve... more »