THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT
Comparing Math Standards – Common Core, Connecticut and Massachusetts
A new report (by me!) compares the Grade 3 Math Standards for Numbers and Operations, Patterns and Algebra for the Common Core, Connecticut and Massachusetts and reaches the following conclusions:1. Connecticut’s standards are not sufficiently challenging.2. Massachusetts’ standards are the “gold standard” for states, and make it clear why Massachusetts students consistently rank first in national
DEC 26
Classroom-level variables are particularly important predictors of spring reading in kindergarten
Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Cohort of 1998 (ECLS-K, 98), a nationally representative sample of kindergarteners in the United States, this study investigates the relationship between approaches to learning and spring reading achievement with particular emphasis on classroom and school-level differences. Hierarchical linear modelling is used to investigate classroom- a
DEC 24
Getting excited helps with performance anxiety more than trying to calm down
People who tell themselves to get excited rather than trying to relax can improve their performance during anxiety-inducing activities such as public speaking and math tests, according to a study published by the American Psychological Association."Anxiety is incredibly pervasive. People have a very strong intuition that trying to calm down is the best way to cope with their anxiety, but that
DEC 20
Preparing for the Common Core: Using Performance Assessment Tasks for Professional Development
Preparing for the Common Core: Using Performance Assessment Tasks for Professional Development presents findings from three school districts in California that piloted performance assessment tasks aligned to the Common Core State Standards. It describes the experiences of teachers and administrators within those districts and examines how the pilot helped them learn about and prepare for the Commo
DEC 19
Kids Grasp Large Numbers Remarkably Young
Children as young as 3 understand multi-digit numbers more than previously believed and may be ready for more direct math instruction when they enter school, according to research led by a Michigan State University education scholar.The study, online in the journal Child Development and funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, has implications for U.S. students
Evaluation of the College Possible Program: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial
What is the study about? This study investigated the effect of the College Possible program, which is designed to serve low-income high school students. College Possible provides a 2-year after-school curriculum to high school juniors and seniors that includes SAT and ACT test preparation services, college admissions and financial aid consulting, and guidance on the transition to college. Students
DEC 18
2013 Mathematics and Reading Trial Urban District Assessment Report Card
Since 2011, fourth-graders in Atlanta, Chicago, the District of Columbia (DCPS), and Los Angeles posted larger score increases in mathematics than their peers in the nation. Students in eight districts scored higher in 2013 than in 2011 in at least one subject and grade combination with some districts making gains across multiple subject and/or grades. DCPS was the only district that scored higher
Special Education Teacher Evaluation
Why It Matters, What Makes It Challenging, and How to Address These ChallengesThere is currently little consensus on how special education teachers should be evaluated. The lack of consensus may be due to several reasons. Special education teachers work under a variety of complex conditions, with a very heterogeneous population, and support student progress toward a very individualized set of goal
Study: Pay Kids to Eat Fruits, Vegetables in School
The good news: Research suggests that a new federal rule has prompted the nation's schools to serve an extra $5.4 million worth of fruits and vegetables each day.The bad news: The nation's children throw about $3.8 million of that in the garbage each day.Researchers from Brigham Young University and Cornell observed three schools adjust to new school lunch standards that require a serving of fruit
DEC 17
Students with a disability more likely to be restrained, secluded in school
The restraint and seclusion of students in U.S. public schools in response to student behavior problems are used much more frequently on students with a disability than on students without a disability, and especially in affluent school districts, according to new research at the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire.Restraint is a practice that uses physical or mechanical means to r
New System of Assessments Needed When Next Generation Science Standards Are Implemented
New types of assessments will be needed to measure student learning once the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are implemented, says a new report from the National Research Council. The tests that states currently use emphasize factual knowledge and were not designed to assess the type of understanding envisioned by the standards, which emphasize depth of knowledge based on the ability to i
Public School Use of Cloud Computing Services Causes Data Privacy Problems
Fordham Law School's Center on Law and Information Policy (CLIP) has released a report on how school districts address privacy when they transfer student information to cloud computing service providers. The report marks the nation’s first in-depth analysis of this increasingly contentious issue.The study found that as public schools in the United States rapidly adopt cloud-computing services to f
Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Excellent Teachers
Maintaining the most motivated, highly qualified teachers is an ongoing challenge for America’s schools. The top 20 percent of teachers end up leaving their schools due to neglect and inattention, according to The New Teacher Project. But, a new report “Creating Sustainable Teacher Career Pathways: A 21st Century Imperative” outlines strategies for making teaching an attractive, challenging profes
DEC 16
The Impacts of Expanding Access to High-Quality Preschool Education
President Obama's "Preschool for All" initiative calls for dramatic increases in the number of 4 year olds enrolled in public preschool programs and in the quality of these programs nationwide. The proposed program shares many characteristics with the universal preschools that have been offered in Georgia and Oklahoma since the 1990s. This study draws together data from multiple sources
DEC 15
Teachers’ use of linguistic scaffolding to support the academic language development of first-grade emergent bilingual students
Research suggests that teachers need to scaffold emergent bilingual students as they develop the complex language associated with school success. This may especially be true in dual language settings, where children are learning two languages simultaneously. This study investigates the linguistic scaffolding practices of first-grade dual language teachers as they support academic language developm
Using Above-Level Testing to Track Growth in Academic Achievement in Gifted Students
Above-level testing is the practice of administering aptitude or academic achievement tests that are designed for typical students in higher grades or older age-groups to gifted or high-achieving students. Although widely accepted in gifted education, above-level testing has not been subject to careful psychometric scrutiny. This study examines reliability data, growth trajectories, distributions,
DEC 13
Learning mathematics takes practice
Practice, not innate skill, makes for good mathematiciansNew research at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim could have an effect on how math is taught.If you want to be really good at all types of math, you need to practice them all. You can't trust your innate natural talent to do most of the job for you.This might seem obvious to some, but it goes against the
Nutrition report cards receive high marks in pilot program
Parents receiving academic report cards throughout the school year is commonplace, but a new Cornell University study shows that for healthier nutrition, parents should opt to receive a nutrition report card, too."This pilot study underscores that a nutrition report card is feasible and efficient… Although the results are preliminary, they suggest that [nutrition report cards] may be helpful
How to develop the next generation of transformational school leaders
In a new report, Bain & Company argues that leadership development has long taken a back seat to other priorities, and the changes required to elevate its importance do not come easily. Most school systems fail to methodically develop talented educators into a deep bench of prospective leaders with the experience and ability to build an extraordinary school. It is notable that just 23% of teac
Spanking Children Slows Cognitive Development
A new book by Murray Straus, founder and co-director of the Family Research Lab and professor emeritus of sociology at the University of New Hampshire, brings together more than four decades of research that makes the definitive case against spanking, including how it slows cognitive development and increases antisocial and criminal behavior."The Primordial Violence" (Routledge, 2013) sh
Differences in Educational Achievement Owe More to Genetics Than Environment
The degree to which students' exam scores differ owes more to their genes than to their teachers, schools or family environments, according to new research from King's College London published in PLOS ONE.The study, which took place in the UK, looked at students' scores for their GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education), a UK-wide examination at the end of compulsory education at 16 yea
Engaging Homeless Youth in Community-Based Participatory Research
Growing evidence highlights the benefits to youth of involvement in community-based participatory research. Less attention has been paid, however, to the contributions youth can make to helping change health-promoting policy through such work. This is a multi-method case study of a policy-focused community-based participatory research project in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, Californi
Dual enrollment: minority groups remained significantly underrepresented
This study investigated the dual enrollment outcomes associated with a 2005 policy change intended to expand dual enrollment participation in Virginia. Results indicated that overall access to and participation in dual enrollment courses increased following the policy change. However, data showed this increase was not uniform, and minority groups remained significantly underrepresented when compar
