Kindergarten: The New First Grade
Those in the know have been saying it since the dawn of the enactment of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 and high stakes testing: Kindergarten has been "reformed," replacing play and socialization skills with learning to read--and much the shame. Why, I even...
Results of the National Center on Education Statistics G-20 Comparison Report
The following, as reported by Education Week's Sarah D. Sparks, are among the findings of the National Center on Education Statistics sixth comprehensive international comparison report that looked into not just the G-8 countries, but the G-20, including Argentina,...
The Latest Lure: Subsidized Housing for Teachers
In case you haven't heard, among the unintended consequences of the Obama/Duncan/Gates education reform agenda, fewer and fewer college students are pursuing careers in education. Morale among those already working in our schools is down, too, thanks at least in part...
Abod v. Detroit Board of Education heads to the Supreme Court
Lead plaintiff, Rebecca Friedrichs, along with nine other California teachers have taken issue with the 1977 Abod v. Detroit Board of Education decision that allows unions to collect "fair-share" dues for collective bargaining and other costs from those who refuse to...
Now Part of the Curriculum: Social and Emotional Learning
Journalist Cokie Roberts once said, "Raise children you like because, if you don't like them, nobody will, and you're going to spend the rest of your life with them." Unfortunately, so will the rest of us, too. Indeed, we already are, so it's no wonder, then, that...
Results of the 2015 District Administration Educator Survey
Can't deny it: The Common Core State Standards are both controversial and constantly newsworthy, and now again with the recently released 2015 District Administration Educator Survey of 317 school leaders from across the country who were asked to agree/strongly agree...
Making News in Education Circles
A few noteworthy happenings in education: 1. As of December 10, the Every Student Succeed Act replaced the No Child Left Behind Law of 2001. 2. Under ESSA, all those hard-won Arne Duncan/Obama state waivers will be null and void as of August 1, 2016 when ESSA is fully...
Meet John B. King, Jr., Our New Acting Secretary of Education
Arne Duncan is now history, having finally stepped down at the end of 2015--with some saying none too soon. Meanwhile, his replacement is one John B. King, Jr. whom Obama described as "an exceptionally talented educator." Among his credits: Founded the Roxbury...
Info 101: No Child Left Behind Morphs Into The Every Student Succeeds Act
Headline news: The Every Student Succeeds Act is set to replace the No Child Left Behind Law of 2001, becoming official with Obama’s signature on December 10. At the time, he called it “a Christmas miracle,” and it’s one that will impact every one of our 50 million...
The Homework Debate and Tips for Getting It Done, Too
We’re off and running now, so far into the school year already that, in a month or so, most school districts will close the books on the second marking period. And all along the way, parents and kids alike have been dealing with homework, often unhappily, and so I...
The Case of G.G. v. Gloucester City Public School Board
In case you didn't know, last year Obama decreed that "schools can't prevent students from using the restrooms that correspond with their gender identities without violating federal law." And this was the government's response in the case of G.G. v. Gloucester Public...
Cheating on Online Courses
When it comes to online courses, the name of the game--and big time, at that--is cheating. As Derek Newton recently reported in The Atlantic, "The growth in courses available on the Web has led to a growth in paid services that will impersonate students and do the...
About the Council of the Great City Schools’ Testing Policies Report
As the Washington Post's editorial board said, "The [Council of the Great City Schools] report concludes that students take tests that are redundant and misaligned with college- and career-readiness standards. The tests do not gauge mastery of specific content and are...
Ahmen Mohamed and the Clock
In case you missed the back story and update, here you go: Ahmed Mohamed, the Irving, Texas 14-year-old high schooler made headlines after being arrested for bringing in a home-made clock to school and was subsequently suspended for three days. Explained Irving...
Just 4.7 Minutes of Reading Spells Success
Get this: "A tiny difference in daily reading habits is associated with giant improvements," wrote Jill Barshay for The Hechinger Report. And that "tiny difference" apparently translates to just 4.7 minutes of daily reading, according to a Renaissance Learning "What...
Social and Emotional Learning: The Latest Education Trend
Used to be that family dinners and outings, combined with a good dose of the Golden Rule, taught us what we needed to know as we grew up about doing right and getting along with others. Manners, good behavior, and kindness all began at home, instilled in us by our...
Facts & Figures on Student Performance-Based Teacher Evaluations
From the National Council on Teacher Quality, a few facts to consider: 42 states and D.C. have policies requiring that public school teachers be evaluated on the basis of student growth and achievement. In 2009, only 15 states tied student standardized test scores to...
2015 Hazardous Toy Alert and Safe Shopping Tips, Too
Merry Christmas and happy Hanukkah everyone. The shopping season is in full-swing, and even on Thanksgiving, bargain hunting trumps family nowadays. So shop we will, and that means toys for all the children on our lists—purchased in stores and/or online--so beware of...
Kids and Screen Time: The Stats, The Risks, and Parent Tips, Too
Fortune freelancer Mark Koba recently reported that venture funding for education technology hit the $1.87 billion mark in 2014 and will most likely reach $2 billion this year—a considerable increase over the $385 million spent five years ago. Meanwhile, our public...
Despite education reform efforts, ACT results disappoint
Lots of folks seem to think that the ACT is easier than the SAT; it's actually not, but the rumor may account for its recent increase in takers over the SAT. Indeed, in 2015, 59% of students--some 1.92 million of them--took the ACT. The results certainly don't suggest...
