Choosing Blindly: Instructional Materials, Teacher Effectiveness, and the Common Core
E.D. Hirsch gets a new ally
E.D. Hirsch gets a new ally
In the 1990s, much of the fireworks in the education policy debate centered around a “reading war” where supporters of whole language squared off against the forces of phonics. Now, in the Common Core era, I predict a similar firestorm is on the horizon.
NCTQ's Kate Walsh and Arthur McKee explain the significance of the Brookings Institution's recent report, "Choosing Blindly: Instructional Materials, Teacher Effectiveness, and the Common Core."
David Brooks, E.D. Hirsch, and why the status quo persists
With the spotlight on urban schools, recognizing the value of our country's rural schools is often forgotten.
Mary Poppins was onto something
Resistance among teachers to changing their instruction poses a serious challenge to Common Core implementation.
A look at the merits of the science frameworks for the PISA, TIMSS, NAEP, and ACT.
This stuff really works!
Innovation is learned on the weekends
Checker and Peter square off
When it comes to organizations peddling Common Core implementation resources and strategies, the buyer should beware.
Two competing perspectives on reading instruction.
The Common Core emphasis on "close reading" challenges teachers to focus reading on actually reading.
The education sector remains an elusive prize for Apple, but the company is making a big move to change that.
Act now, align later
Why iPads won't replace textbooks in every classroom anytime soon.
When the Common Core academic content standards were first introduced, most observers thought at best ten or 12 state would adopt them, and few thought it possible they’d be adopted by all but a handful of statesHow is Ohio doing when it comes to preparing for the full implementation of the Common Core standards by 2014?
The U.S. economy has shed more than eight million jobs since 2008, and has created only two million new jobs in that same period of time, resulting in not only a high number of unemployed people, but also a high number of job vacancies.
When done correctly, data-driven instruction and lessons organized around clearly-defined aims are critical parts of improving student performance.
It's nice to see that states have plans for Common Core implementation--let's just hope they're good plans.
Thinking twice about “action civics” education
Walking the line between science and politics
Structural reform alone won't boost student achievement--but neither will a single-minded focus on curriculum and instruction.
Hearken back to junior high and high school for a moment. What “historical documents” were you taught in social studies and American history classes? The U.S. Constitution? Your state’s constitution? What about the Declaration of Independence or the Federalist Papers?
The New Hampshire GOP primary is overshadowing an important new Granite State law that allows parents to have their children exempted from elements of the curriculum they find objectionable.
Why education needs to learn a few lessons from Apple about evolving and improving over time.
Chris highlights a great resource for educators.
Editor Kathleen Porter-Magee introduces Fordham's new center for commentary and analysis on standards, curriculum, and instruction: the Common Core Watch blog.
Let's not gloss the challenges of transitioning to Common Core