Reader: New CREDO Study Celebrates “Survivorship Bias”
A reader, Enrique Diaz-Alvarez, offered the following critique of the new national study of charter schools by CREDO. The “improvement” seems to be a result of closing low-performing charter schools. Is this like kicking out the low-performing students and declaring that your test scores are great?
He writes:
Diane, you *must* read the scenario analysis that starts in page 89.
They actually think the survivorship bias is a *feature*, not a bug! They run a bunch of scenarios detailing the dramatic improvement that you get in results if you eliminate from the study different kinds of underperforming
He writes:
Diane, you *must* read the scenario analysis that starts in page 89.
They actually think the survivorship bias is a *feature*, not a bug! They run a bunch of scenarios detailing the dramatic improvement that you get in results if you eliminate from the study different kinds of underperforming
Paul Thomas: Arne Duncan Can’t Handle the Evidence
Paul Thomas of Furman University (one of the four institutions that the National Council on Teacher Quality awarded four of its dubious stars) here gives Secretary of Education Arne Duncan a lesson in evidence. Duncan ridiculed the critics of Common Core in a speech yesterday to the American Society of News Editors.
Thomas now gives him a tongue-lashing for his indifference to evidence about test-based accountability. He
Thomas now gives him a tongue-lashing for his indifference to evidence about test-based accountability. He
Why Does Ohio Give More Money to Lowest-Performing Charters?
Innovation Ohio, which keeps a close watch on the education budget and policy issues, reports that the state increased the budgets for charter schools operated by men who are generous donors to Republican elected officials.
The point:
“Republican mega-donors David Brennan (White Hat Management) and William Lager (ECOT) saw major increases in their funding. Meanwhile, Charter Schools that actually do a far better job educating children
The point:
“Republican mega-donors David Brennan (White Hat Management) and William Lager (ECOT) saw major increases in their funding. Meanwhile, Charter Schools that actually do a far better job educating children
How Scott Walker and the Wisconsin Legislature is Gutting Public Education
A statement from the Forward Institute in Wisconsin:
The Wisconsin Legislature has passed a budget which will do long-term damage to education in Wisconsin. In expanding the private voucher program statewide, failing to keep up with inflation in funding public schools, failing to address student poverty issues, and unfairly rewarding select schools and students,
Statement from Forward Institute regarding passage of the Executive Budget (AB40)
Teacher Candidate: The NCTQ Report Doesn’t Meet Basic Research Standards
This teacher-to-be read the report of the National Council on Teacher Quality on teacher preparation and was disappointed to realize that its research methodology was so flawed.
Here is her insightful comment:
As a current teacher candidate in an initial certification program I was very, very concerned with the NCTQ’s report. My institution was among the 90% of colleges and universities that did not participate in the study and after reading the report I can clearly see why. Curious to see what research method was used to conclude that most of the schools are failing in their programs; I sought out their methodology and was very dismayed with
Here is her insightful comment:
As a current teacher candidate in an initial certification program I was very, very concerned with the NCTQ’s report. My institution was among the 90% of colleges and universities that did not participate in the study and after reading the report I can clearly see why. Curious to see what research method was used to conclude that most of the schools are failing in their programs; I sought out their methodology and was very dismayed with
Philly Student Orchestra Plays Last Concert?
Watch this video of the Philadelphia All-City High School Orchestra.
Because of the budget cuts, this might be their last performance.
The governor, the legislature, the business leaders, the foundations of Pennsylvania should hang their heads in shame.
Will this be the year the music died in Philadelphia?
Because of the budget cuts, this might be their last performance.
The governor, the legislature, the business leaders, the foundations of Pennsylvania should hang their heads in shame.
Will this be the year the music died in Philadelphia?
David Greene: Repeal Race to the Top
David C. Greene says it is time
to restore common sense and sanity to education. Remember common sense and sanity?
He writes the following on his blog (http://t.co/WSUIlWARVk):
Support State Bills to repeal acceptance of Race to The Top in your state.
I am almost 64 years old. I have spent all but 4 of those in NYS public schools either as a student, teacher for 38 years, coach, or teacher mentor.
to restore common sense and sanity to education. Remember common sense and sanity?
He writes the following on his blog (http://t.co/WSUIlWARVk):
Support State Bills to repeal acceptance of Race to The Top in your state.
I am almost 64 years old. I have spent all but 4 of those in NYS public schools either as a student, teacher for 38 years, coach, or teacher mentor.
Louisiana: Why Business Supports the Common Core
The business leaders of Louisiana are strong supporters of the Common Core.
They believe it will prepare students to be competitors in the global marketplace.
They expect it will strengthen their knowledge of STEM subjects.
They believe it will have a dramatic power to transform every part of the education system.
They believe it will prepare students to be competitors in the global marketplace.
They expect it will strengthen their knowledge of STEM subjects.
They believe it will have a dramatic power to transform every part of the education system.
Why Education “Reform” Is Bad Business
In this guest post on EduShyster’s blog, Susan Altman asks whether education reform is based on antiquated, obsolete ideas about business.
Altman is pursuing a master’s degree in International and Comparative Education and Business Management at Oxford University.
Yes, indeed, she says, the reformers look on schooling as a product, not a service. As a product, they seek to
Altman is pursuing a master’s degree in International and Comparative Education and Business Management at Oxford University.
Yes, indeed, she says, the reformers look on schooling as a product, not a service. As a product, they seek to
Arne Duncan Defends Common Core, Ridicules Critics
Arne Duncan spoke to the American Society of News Editors yesterday, where he strongly defendedthe Common Core and caricatured its critics as extremists and fringe groups from the far-right.
An article about his speech on the Huffington Post says:
Duncan will give a full-throated defense of the Core in his ASNE speech. The Obama administration has been sensitive about the Core because its perceived closeness to the initiative can be seen as dampening
An article about his speech on the Huffington Post says:
Duncan will give a full-throated defense of the Core in his ASNE speech. The Obama administration has been sensitive about the Core because its perceived closeness to the initiative can be seen as dampening
North Carolina Cuts Public Schools, Invests Millions in TFA
North Carolina has been cutting the budget of public schools, but there is always plenty for Teach for America in states with a rightwing legislature and governor. The state is increasing class sizes and eliminating the NC Teaching Fellows program, among many other cuts.
A reader sends this comment:
“In North Carolina, the state has invested four million dollars in TFA despite getting rid of teacher assistants, cutting supplements for teachers for advanced degrees, eliminating class caps, and other misguided policies
A reader sends this comment:
“In North Carolina, the state has invested four million dollars in TFA despite getting rid of teacher assistants, cutting supplements for teachers for advanced degrees, eliminating class caps, and other misguided policies
Teacher: Why Is New York Manipulating Passing Mark?
Chris Webster, a high school English teacher in New York, wrote an outraged letter to State Commissioner John King. Why is the state manipulating the passing mark? Are they making the scores lower to make public education look bad?
Here is Chris’ letter:
Dear Commissioner King:
You often tell the story of a teacher who had a positive influence on your life. We all remember a teacher who
Here is Chris’ letter:
Dear Commissioner King:
You often tell the story of a teacher who had a positive influence on your life. We all remember a teacher who
NC Teaching Fellows Program Killed, TFA Thrives
A rear in North Carolina writes about the legislature’s decision to kill the NC Teaching Fellows program while spending millions more to hire TFA recruits with five weeks of training:
“My daughter is in the last cohort of the NC Teaching Fellows. I am really scared for her and her associates. I told her to teach her required 4 years in NC then leave the state. I am seriously considering doing the same. It is a sad state of affairs when ill-trained college graduates are recruited to teach in public schools.”
“My daughter is in the last cohort of the NC Teaching Fellows. I am really scared for her and her associates. I told her to teach her required 4 years in NC then leave the state. I am seriously considering doing the same. It is a sad state of affairs when ill-trained college graduates are recruited to teach in public schools.”
Why Is Wisconsin Destroying Its Public Schools?
A comment from a reader:
Dear Readers,
I have been in public education for more than 30 years. I am a recognized leader and have received many awards for excellence and advocacy for children. Wisconsin right now is the “wild west” of educational practice.
I am deeply committed to excellence in practice. I will advocate for strong models for quality improvement and student learning. As a district Carnegie Foundation is completing a case study on our work with a focus on our
Dear Readers,
I have been in public education for more than 30 years. I am a recognized leader and have received many awards for excellence and advocacy for children. Wisconsin right now is the “wild west” of educational practice.
I am deeply committed to excellence in practice. I will advocate for strong models for quality improvement and student learning. As a district Carnegie Foundation is completing a case study on our work with a focus on our
The Story Behind the Common Core Is Different from Duncan’s Version
Arne Duncan has been vigorously defending the Common Core standards and vigorously insisting that they were created by the governors and the states. Of course, he must do this because it is illegal for the U.S. Department of Education to interfere in curriculum and instruction in the nation’s schools.
But his version of how the Common Core came to be adopted by nearly every state since 2009 is not accurate. It would be interesting to ask the nation’s governors what they know about the Common Core and even more
But his version of how the Common Core came to be adopted by nearly every state since 2009 is not accurate. It would be interesting to ask the nation’s governors what they know about the Common Core and even more
Diane in the Evening 6-25-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Anyone Can Teach, Right? by dianerav Dennis Hong has written an essay that is spreading like wildfire across the Internet. It is called “The Hardest Job Everyone Thinks They Can Do.” He used to be a molecular biologist. When he told his friends about his frustration with a failed experiment, no one told him how to do it right. Then he became a teacher. Now everyone knows his job–or thinks they Oh, Those Overpaid Teachers in Tennessee! by dianerav A reader posted this comment: *I am a teacher in TN. I have 6 years o... more »