Vergara and the Complexities of Teacher Employment Policies — an ECS Policy Analysis

Posted on June 9, 2015June 4, 2015 by coreeducation

Teacher employment policies — tenure, dismissal and seniority — have been debated for years, but with recent cases playing out in the courts the disputes have been elevated to new levels. What is best for students and teachers is a complex topic with varying view. This Education Commission of the States policy analysis uses the Read more about Vergara and the Complexities of Teacher Employment Policies — an ECS Policy Analysis[…]

Public Comment Sought on Revised Draft Standards for Education Leaders

Posted on May 19, 2015September 12, 2020 by coreeducation

Two national education organizations are seeking additional feedback from the public on revised draft standards for education leaders. These standards aim to ensure district and school leaders are able to improve student learning and achievement and meet new, higher expectations. The first public comment period last fall resulted in suggested changes that have been incorporated Read more about Public Comment Sought on Revised Draft Standards for Education Leaders[…]

April Issue Brief: Moneyball for Education

Posted on April 21, 2015April 20, 2015 by coreeducation

Michael Lewis’ book, Moneyball, which later became a motion picture starring Brad Pitt, details the transformation of baseball’s Oakland A’s through data analytics. The true story makes a compelling case that making decisions based on data is both cost effective and powerful. In this month’s issue brief, we explore the ways in which a Moneyball Read more about April Issue Brief: Moneyball for Education[…]

ESEA’s 50-Year Legacy: Blending Idealism, Policy Tensions

Posted on April 9, 2015September 12, 2020 by coreeducation

In honor of the fact that the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was passed 50 years ago this month, Alyson Klein at Education Week has a lengthy article out describing its legacy and the current challenges related to passing a re-authorization of the bill (whose most recent version was passed in 2001-2002 as No Read more about ESEA’s 50-Year Legacy: Blending Idealism, Policy Tensions[…]

Charter School Laws Across States – 2015 Rankings & Scorecard

Posted on April 6, 2015March 29, 2015 by coreeducation

The Center for Education Reform, an organization which supports the role that charter schools have to play in education reform in the U.S., has a new report out addressing individual states’ policies about charter schools. Following is an excerpt from their press release about the report: Of the 42 states and the District of Columbia Read more about Charter School Laws Across States – 2015 Rankings & Scorecard[…]

Free Webinar: Auditing Teacher Prep Program Quality

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 by coreeducation

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 from 3 to 4 pm Eastern Time, Education Week will be offering a free webinar titled Auditing Teacher-Preparation Program Quality: Challenges and Opportunities. Are states doing enough to ensure that all teacher-candidates graduate from their teacher-preparation programs ready to enter the classroom? In this webinar, an Education Week reporter will Read more about Free Webinar: Auditing Teacher Prep Program Quality[…]

Educational Equity: Challenges for Educator Effectiveness

Posted on March 4, 2015March 2, 2015 by coreeducation

Jane Best and Emily Winslow at McREL Education have released a new brief focusing on current challenges of working toward equity in education. Particularly in a post Vergara vs. California education climate, educator equity and how to effectively distribute teachers to all students it is an issue on education professionals’ minds. With increasingly diverse student populations, Read more about Educational Equity: Challenges for Educator Effectiveness[…]

EdPolicy Leaders Online

Posted on February 23, 2015 by coreeducation

The Foundation for Excellence in Education is launching a new initiative called EdPolicy Leaders Online, a series of free, self-paced online education reform massive open online courses (MOOCs) designed specifically for policymakers and education reform partners. The courses feature nearly 40 experts and leaders across the education landscape from superintendents to senators, parents to policymakers, Read more about EdPolicy Leaders Online[…]

Education Policy 101 — a joint project of 50CAN and the Fordham Institute

Posted on February 18, 2015February 15, 2015 by coreeducation

Education Policy 101 is an innovative online course that introduces the key education policies that affect American K-12 students. It provides a comprehensive, research-based foundation for navigating current education-policy issues such as school choice, teacher quality, education finance, early childhood education and standards and accountability. Course instructors include: Martin West, Harvard Graduate School of Education Read more about Education Policy 101 — a joint project of 50CAN and the Fordham Institute[…]

Higher Education Issues: 15 for ’15

Posted on January 30, 2015January 28, 2015 by coreeducation

Forbes Education recently released their list of 15 key higher education issues for 2015. Many of these will be prominent this year as the Obama Administration nears the end of its eight year run. You can expect this blog to discuss these issues over the coming year: The arrival of a new year brings with Read more about Higher Education Issues: 15 for ’15[…]

CALDER Conversations: Implications of Tenure Reform Lawsuits

Posted on December 2, 2014November 29, 2014 by coreeducation

Tenure and tenure reform are in the news of late given the Vergara decision in California and similar efforts challenging tenure laws in New York. Teachers unions argue that current statutes suffice for removing underperforming teachers. Some student advocates argue that these laws are not sufficient because students must endure underperforming teachers for too long. Read more about CALDER Conversations: Implications of Tenure Reform Lawsuits[…]

What Do the Elections Mean for Education?

Posted on November 17, 2014November 14, 2014 by coreeducation

Whiteboard Advisors have gathered the predictions of Education Insiders related to what will happen with education policy in the wake of the recent midterm elections. Education Insiders express slight optimism that both K12 and higher education policies will become higher priorities with Republican control of the Senate, though agreement between the President and Congress is Read more about What Do the Elections Mean for Education?[…]

Managing the law in education

Posted on November 13, 2014November 10, 2014 by coreeducation

Melissa Junge and Sheara Krvaric of AEI Education have written an important report highlighting the need for education leaders to understand the complexity of education laws, and as a result, the need for lawyers to help bring about effective reform. Following are some key points from the report: — Given the myriad rules and regulations Read more about Managing the law in education[…]

Next Generation Accountability Concepts

Posted on October 29, 2014October 25, 2014 by coreeducation

The Center for American Progress and the Council of Chief State School Officers are out with a new report looking at next-generation accountability concepts that states have implemented in lieu of zero congressional action on No Child Left Behind. Generally, the accountability reforms fall into 5 categories across the states: Measuring progress toward college and Read more about Next Generation Accountability Concepts[…]

Ending Teacher Tenure Would Have Little Impact on its Own

Posted on October 9, 2014October 4, 2014 by coreeducation

Matthew M. Chingos of The Brookings Institution has written a compelling new piece arguing that ending teacher tenure would have little impact on its own. Tenure for public school teachers is increasingly under attack, with the Vergara v. California judge ruling in June that “both students and teachers are unfairly, unnecessarily and for no legally Read more about Ending Teacher Tenure Would Have Little Impact on its Own[…]

Finn: Eight of the Toughest Challenges Schools Still Face

Posted on October 3, 2014September 12, 2020 by coreeducation

Chester E. Finn Jr., a veteran of the education policy wars in the United States over the last several decades, finds two main things to be pleased about in terms of school reform, but eight main things to be targeted as needed reforms for the future. Following are his two positives: First, we now judge Read more about Finn: Eight of the Toughest Challenges Schools Still Face[…]