The Looming Clash between Common Core and Standardized Testing

Posted on March 4, 2013 by coreeducation

Recently, Joshua Starr, the Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MD), one of the wealthiest, largest, and high-achieving school districts in the United States, went public with his idea that there be a three-year moratorium on federally mandated standardized testing. He is not fundamentally opposed to all standardized testing, but he does have a problem Read more about The Looming Clash between Common Core and Standardized Testing[…]

2010 Census Statistics and Education: Enrollment, Cost, and Outcomes

Posted on November 8, 2012November 8, 2012 by coreeducation

The United States Census Bureau has released educational statistics that have been compiled as part of its “How Do We Know?” initiative. The statistics are broken down into three categories: enrollment, cost, and outcomes and displayed in a visually appealing infographic. For enrollment, the Census Bureau focuses on showing the similarities and differences between educational Read more about 2010 Census Statistics and Education: Enrollment, Cost, and Outcomes[…]

Executive Order Establishes Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans

Posted on July 30, 2012March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

Last Wednesday, during his remarks at the National Urban League conference in New Orleans, President Obama announced he would sign an Executive Order to improve outcomes and advance educational opportunities for African Americans. The President has made providing a complete and competitive education for all Americans – from cradle to career – a top priority. Read more about Executive Order Establishes Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans[…]

District-Level Race to the Top to Focus on the Classroom, Provide Tools to Enhance Learning and Serve the Needs of Every Student

Posted on May 29, 2012February 5, 2013 by coreeducation

The U.S. Department of Education has released proposed criteria for the 2012 Race to the Top program – a nearly $400 million competition that invites school districts to create plans for individualized classroom instruction aimed at closing achievement gaps and preparing each student for college and career. “Today, we’re taking the next step forward. We’re Read more about District-Level Race to the Top to Focus on the Classroom, Provide Tools to Enhance Learning and Serve the Needs of Every Student[…]

National Dialogue on Strengthening and Elevating the Teaching Profession

Posted on May 10, 2012 by coreeducation

The US Department of Education kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week by initiating a dialogue on improving teaching profession, as well as the public perception of America’s teachers. A vision document for reforming the teaching profession created by active classroom teachers working temporarily for the U.S. Department of Education was posted for public comment on the Read more about National Dialogue on Strengthening and Elevating the Teaching Profession[…]

What the U.S. Can’t Learn from Finland

Posted on May 6, 2012 by coreeducation

Finland, with its high-achieving public schools, has been held up as a standard for the US as we slog down the path of education reform. However, are there things we can’t learn from Finland’s model? Pasi Sahlberg, author of Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn About Educational Change in Finland?, recently wrote an article Read more about What the U.S. Can’t Learn from Finland[…]

District Seeks Alternative Methods of Integration

Posted on March 5, 2012April 25, 2012 by coreeducation

From the 1970s through the 1990s, Wake County Public Schools in North Carolina was known for its academic performance and dedication to racial integration of its schools. However, since 2000, when the courts ruled race could no longer be a criterion in determining which school students attend, Wake county has had to look for other Read more about District Seeks Alternative Methods of Integration[…]

Jack Jennings Retires, Leaves Words of Advice

Posted on February 12, 2012April 25, 2012 by coreeducation

Jack Jennings, founder, president, and CEO of the Center on Education Policy (CEP), stepped down from his roles at the organization on January 31. As part of his retirement, he is releasing two publications. One is the history of the CEP, the other contains some final words of advice on the future of American public Read more about Jack Jennings Retires, Leaves Words of Advice[…]

Teacher Characteristics and Class Assignments

Posted on January 22, 2012April 28, 2012 by coreeducation

There is ample research on the differences in teacher distribution across schools vis-à-vis teacher demographics and experience, but what about teacher distribution within schools? A paper published by the Urban Institute looks at this issue. By comparing teachers within the same grade level and school in an urban district during a given year, the authors Read more about Teacher Characteristics and Class Assignments[…]

Six Ideas about Professional Growth for Teachers

Posted on November 28, 2011April 25, 2012 by coreeducation

In a recent blog post for Education Week, educator Nancy Flanagan reflected on a recent encounter she had with a young teacher after a panel discussion. The teacher described her loneliness at her school, which is focused on raising test scores and has an atmosphere of fear and bitterness among the teaching staff subsumed by Read more about Six Ideas about Professional Growth for Teachers[…]

Occupy…your school district?

Posted on November 22, 2011April 25, 2012 by coreeducation

In this week’s School of Thought blog, Andrew Rotherham discusses the disparities in public education across the country. If the goal of the Occupy movement is to improve social mobility, then there is “no better example of how the system is rigged against millions of Americans than the education our children receive…today zip codes remain Read more about Occupy…your school district?[…]

Teacher Diversity Matters

Posted on November 17, 2011April 25, 2012 by coreeducation

The Center for American Progress released two reports last week focused on the lack of diversity in the American school system and what might be done about it. The first paper, Teacher Diversity Matters, by Ulrich Boser, reflects on the increasingly diverse public school population and the decreasingly diverse teacher population. Using the 2008 Schools Read more about Teacher Diversity Matters[…]

Is Teaching a Team Sport?

Posted on November 9, 2011August 30, 2014 by coreeducation

John Merrow recently blogged about a comment made by the Center for Teaching Quality’s Barnett Berry: “Teaching is a team sport,” he told Merrow. Merrow was left wondering—is this true? Baseball is a team sport, with everyone needing to work together for success, while at the same time allowing for individual statistics and honors. But Read more about Is Teaching a Team Sport?[…]

Education Advocates Release “Statement of Principles” on ESEA Reauthorization

Posted on October 23, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

This month, twenty-five education advocacy organizations released a “statement of principles” addressed to Sens. Harkin and Enzi and Reps. Kline and Miller. The statement focused on the role of teacher quality in the reauthorization of ESEA and urged the congressmen to “make every effort possible to spur states and school districts to advance new policies Read more about Education Advocates Release “Statement of Principles” on ESEA Reauthorization[…]

Seizing Opportunity at the Top

Posted on October 17, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

A recent report released by Public Impact proposes a strategy for getting an excellent teacher into every classroom, which would “close most of our stubborn achievement gaps in just five years.” An “excellent teacher” is described as one who produces well over today’s typical year of learning growth, and the authors emphasize that it is Read more about Seizing Opportunity at the Top[…]

Harkin Releases Proposal for ESEA Reauthorization

Posted on October 16, 2011April 26, 2012 by coreeducation

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released his draft proposal for the reauthorization of ESEA on October 11. To date, the proposal has been met with mixed reactions across the country. Civil rights groups assert that the proposal to scrap Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) is a giant step backwards when it comes to accountability for poor and Read more about Harkin Releases Proposal for ESEA Reauthorization[…]