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Thursday, September 17, 2015

Massachusetts, Roland Fryer, and a “Two-tiered System of Standardized Testing”? | deutsch29

Massachusetts, Roland Fryer, and a “Two-tiered System of Standardized Testing”? | deutsch29:

Massachusetts, Roland Fryer, and a “Two-tiered System of Standardized Testing”?





On November 17, 2015, the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) will vote on either the PARCC assessments or the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) as the statewide assessment system for Massachusetts.
In 2015, districts were able to decide on either PARCC or MCAS, with over half using PARCC.
Massachusetts commissioner Mitchell Chester is the chairs the governing board of the struggling PARCC consortium, and in November 2015, he is to make a formal recommendation to BESE on which assessment system to choose.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker has made two new appointments to BESE. One is Michael Moriarty, a Holyoke education and community development expert.
The other is Harvard University economist Roland Fryer, who was (hmmm…) promoted from assistant professor to full professor after a single year on the Harvard University faculty (and skipping right over associate professor, to boot).
Fryer is also the faculty director of Harvard University-based EdLabs, which describes itself as just a helpful group of individuals with no agenda:
We are an eclectic collection of scientists, educators, and implementers with diverse backgrounds and vast experience, generating ideas and implementing experiments that have the potential to transform education.
Edlabs has no political affiliation or agenda to promote. We squeeze truths from data. People may not always like what we discover, but we will disseminate our results no matter what we find.
On the same web page EdLabs lists five “stakeholders.” Among them is Condoleeza Massachusetts, Roland Fryer, and a “Two-tiered System of Standardized Testing”? | deutsch29:

CURMUDGUCATION: WSJ on Teacher Quality

CURMUDGUCATION: WSJ on Teacher Quality:

WSJ on Teacher Quality






Earlier this week the Wall Street Journal convened a trio of educational experts to discuss the question "How Do We Raise the Quality of Teachers."

I'm not sure what got into them, exactly, but reporter Leslie Brody actually included a teacher in her trio of experts. In fact, not just a teacher, but New York teacher, activist and writer Jose Luis Vilson. I have huge respect for Vilson for a variety of reasons (the man teaches math to middle school students!), not the least of which is his calm and focus and ability not to get caught up in opposing things, but always clearly articulating what he is for. It's a skill not all of us have mastered.

Vilson is teamed up in the conversation with Daniel Weisberg, honcho of the New Teacher Project (TNTP) and Kate Walsh of the national Council on Teacher Quality. So, well. That makes one more teacher in one of these conversations than we usually get. Brody edits the conversation by topic, so we'll do the same here.

What is the main obstacle to improving teacher quality in America, and why?

Walsh leads with NCTQ's standard theory that teacher education programs are too easy to get into and too easy to succeed in. NCTQ did a big research project on this very subject, and by "research," I mean they grabbed a bunch of college commencement programs and read through them. Really. I know I exaggerate for effect sometimes, but that's what they actually did.

That said, she makes a valid point about the need to look at the supply side of the teacher pool 
CURMUDGUCATION: WSJ on Teacher Quality:

The Eleventh Honeymoon | The Jose Vilson

The Eleventh Honeymoon | The Jose Vilson:

The Eleventh Honeymoon

myclassroom2015


11 years ago, I promised myself I would inspire, kick butt, and teach kids to the best of their abilities. Ten years ago, I eschewed all that and said I would be much stricter with them because they needed it. Nine years ago, I wanted to take pieces of my first two years and double down on my firm resolve. Eight years ago, I wanted to test my mettle with a brand new set of students who would eventually push me to ponder a whole new career. Every year, my energies oscillate from elation to downright neurosis. I’ve reread Harry and Rosemary Wong’s First Days of School, visited classrooms throughout the summer months, and revamped entire curricula so I could be a better teacher for my students.
In my eleventh year, I told myself to quit all that and make Mr. Vilson as close to Jose as professionally possible.
I still come into school 30-45 minutes early, reading material in hand. I still get my cup of coffee in the corner store. But I’ve changed my approach. I’m better at saying “good morning” to fellow faculty before that first sip. I’m better at picking up around myself around the classroom. I’m better at letting some of my frustrations go.
I still put on music during my morning session. I’m better at leaving the song on while the students walk into class, especially if it’s John Coltrane.
The students trickle in with the usual zeal, or lack thereof. Some meander around the lockers, The Eleventh Honeymoon | The Jose Vilson:

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 9/17/15 #FightForDyett


SPECIAL NITE CAP 

CORPORATE ED REFORM




Lawsuit: Schools failed to inform parents of right to opt out of tests | EdSource
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House Republicans want to give teachers a break - The Washington Post
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NPE Endorses Lee Barrios for BESE – The Network For Public Education
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It’s Constitution Day: A quiz to see how much you know - The Washington Post
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This Week In Education: Thompson: Hess & Jennings Cast Doubt on NCLB
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Opt Out Philly to take part in National Parent Strike on Sept. 17 - Working Educators
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CURMUDGUCATION: The Public Education Dream
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Bronin Wins Hartford Democratic Primary for Mayor declaring – “We Did It.” - Wait What?
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The Proxy Wars That Constrain African Americans - The Atlantic
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California Democrats Starve Public Education
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YESTERDAY

Shiny objects and false narratives: Time to refuse it all | educationalchemy
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Seattle teachers' approach in contract fight drew on broad, community-based issues | OregonLive.com
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Teachers' union head spars with education reformer over New Orleans | Washington Examiner
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Another One: Illinois Releases PARCC Results | deutsch29
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What It Takes to Build a Truly Equitable Education System - NEA Today
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Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 9/16/15 #FightForDyett
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