The Answer Sheet: how to


Posted at 02:54 PM ET, 05/23/2013

The Rev. John Thomas: No act of God caused Chicago schools closings
By Valerie Strauss
A reverend looks at what is really behind the decision by the Chicago Board of Education to go ahead with the largest mass closing of public schools in American history.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:54 PM ET, 05/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Chicago School Closings, Largest Mass Closing in U.S. History, The Schools Are Gone Because....

Posted at 11:01 AM ET, 05/23/2013

Superstar astrophysicist: Why 'Star Trek' beats 'Star Wars'
By Valerie Strauss
It's the physics.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:01 AM ET, 05/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Science Lesson, A Science Lesson -- With Video, Science

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 05/23/2013

The billionaires lose one
By Valerie Strauss
Big money doesn't always win the day. At least it didn't in a school board race in Los Angeles.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 05/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Reformer Loses L.A. School Board Vote, School Boards

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 05/23/2013

The serious risks of rushing new teacher evaluation systems
By Valerie Strauss
Many policymakers say we must implement new systems now and fix design flaws later. They are wrong.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 05/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Details Matter, Teacher Evaluation

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 05/23/2013

NY principals: Why new Common Core tests failed
By Valerie Strauss
Principals detail the flaws of new high-stakes standardized tests in New York.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 05/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'We Are Concerned', Standardized Tests

Posted at 10:02 AM ET, 05/22/2013

'What has changed is that it is harder for us to be nice to kids' -- departing veteran principal
By Valerie Strauss
After 21 years, a high school principal sends his final staff letter and looks back on his career.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:02 AM ET, 05/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Just Be Nice', Best Advice: 'Just Be Nice', Principals

Posted at 06:03 AM ET, 05/22/2013

Jeb Bush's 'Chiefs for Change' attack Weingarten for something she didn't say
By Valerie Strauss
JEb Bush's "Chiefs for Change" attack AFT President Randi Weingarten for something she didn't say -- and she slaps them back.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:03 AM ET, 05/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Read the Dueling Letters, Testing Moratorium

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 05/22/2013

The college 'preparation gap' in a single graphic
By Valerie Strauss
There is a "large gap" between how high school teachers perceive their graduating students' readiness for college and what professors expect freshmen to know.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 05/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  College Readiness, It's Big

Posted at 02:01 AM ET, 05/22/2013

'It's just our job' -- teacher who saved students from tornado
By Valerie Strauss
A teacher at a school demolished by the Oklahoma tornado tells how she and other teachers saved students lives.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:01 AM ET, 05/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Closet, Put Kids in Bathrooms, Tornado

Posted at 03:15 PM ET, 05/21/2013

Quiet protest staged at Teachers College graduation
By Valerie Strauss
Some students quietly protested the choice of speaker Teachers College. Here's why.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:15 PM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Controversial Speaker, Teachers College

Posted at 02:01 PM ET, 05/21/2013

Tornado survivor: Our teacher saved our lives
By Valerie Strauss
Tornado survivor: Our teacher saved our lives. Watch the video of the teacher/student reunion.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:01 PM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Tornado, Two Videos

Posted at 10:02 AM ET, 05/21/2013

Why ability grouping in schools is a mistake
By Valerie Strauss
Teaching to the presumed level of a whole class never works as well as hoped.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:02 AM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Ability Grouping, On the Rise

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 05/21/2013

Has anybody told Obama about the problems his education policies have caused?
By Valerie Strauss
How much has the president been told by his aides about the serious problems his education reform policies have been causing public schools across the country?

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  It's Hard To Know, President Obama

Posted at 04:05 AM ET, 05/21/2013

'I once thought Maryland was below me'
By Valerie Strauss
It's not all about STEM. A student gives a telling speech at the commencement ceremonies for the University of Maryland's English Department.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:05 AM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Commencement Speech, Student Gives Commencement Speech

Posted at 01:33 PM ET, 05/20/2013

Harvard students seek probe of controversial PhD thesis on Hispanics' IQ
By Valerie Strauss
Harvard University students delivered a petition to President Drew Faust demanding an investigation into how the school awarded a doctorate based on a dissertation that claimed that Hispanics are not as smart as whites.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:33 PM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Harvard University, immigration, Petition Given to President

Posted at 01:02 PM ET, 05/20/2013

What's wrong with school 'choice'? Here's what.
By Valerie Strauss
The idea of giving students a choice of where to go school -- with public funds -- may sound good, but there are problems attached.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:02 PM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School choice, Vouchers

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 05/20/2013

Principal: Why our new educator evaluation system is unethical
By Valerie Strauss
The ethical standard by which each evaluation component should be judged -- and why New York's new educator assessment system violates it.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Educator Evaluation, What Makes a Good School

Posted at 11:52 PM ET, 05/19/2013

Obama's commencement speech at Morehouse College -- text
By Valerie Strauss
"I will say it betrays a poverty of ambition if all you think about is what goods you can buy instead of what good you can do."

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:52 PM ET, 05/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'We Have Individual Responsibilities', President Obama

Posted at 12:32 PM ET, 05/19/2013

Is it time to kiss Michelle Rhee goodbye?
By Valerie Strauss
A former superintendent thinks Michelle Rhee has run her course. Here's why he thinks so.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:32 PM ET, 05/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Here's Why, Larry Cuban Thinks So, Michelle Rhee

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 05/19/2013

Five of the best 2013 commencement speeches (so far)
By Valerie Strauss
Watch and read what they said.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:01 AM ET, 05/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Commencement Speeches, Guess Who Made Jefferson Jokes

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 05/19/2013

How to take a test: 1956 short film
By Valerie Strauss
A blast from the past.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 05/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Once Upon a Time, Tests

Posted at 11:04 AM ET, 05/18/2013

Fiery Chicago teachers union president reelected
By Valerie Strauss
Karen Lewis wins a new three-year term overwhelmingly.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:04 AM ET, 05/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Chicago Teachers, Protests Beginning Today

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 05/18/2013

Are school vouchers losing steam?
By Valerie Strauss
Vouchers have been at the center of the school choice movement for many reformers, but they may be in trouble.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 05/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Charters Taking Precedent, School choice, Vouchers

Posted at 10:31 AM ET, 05/17/2013

Three days of marches in Chicago to protest school closings
By Valerie Strauss
Three days of demonstrations to protest the closing of 54 schools in Chicago starts Saturday.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:31 AM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Protests Planned This Weekend, School Closures

Posted at 04:03 AM ET, 05/17/2013

The revolution is here
By Valerie Strauss
The revolution is against corporate-based education reform.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:03 AM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Against Corporate-Based Reform, School Reform

Posted at 12:37 AM ET, 05/17/2013

Obama tweet gets Australian researcher big attention
By Valerie Strauss
One tweet from President Obama is a gift to an Australian researcher on climate change.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:37 AM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Out of Our Expectations', President Obama

Posted at 11:22 PM ET, 05/16/2013

Americans: The world's sleepiest students
By Valerie Strauss
An analysis of data on sleepy students collected from countries around the world.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:22 PM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Instruction Affected, Sleep and School

Posted at 03:02 PM ET, 05/16/2013

Infographic: A lesson on tornadoes
By Valerie Strauss
The damage done by tornadoes of different strengths.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:02 PM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  The Damage Done, Tornados

Posted at 09:03 AM ET, 05/16/2013

What 'education influentials' think will -- and won't -- happen
By Valerie Strauss
Here's what Washington insiders are said to think about education policy.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:03 AM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Education Policy

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 05/16/2013

Christian school: 'atheist controversy' over creationist quiz may keep academy open
By Valerie Strauss
The school where a 4th grade science creationist science quiz was given was on its way to closing -- until that quiz hit the Internet.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 05/16/2013

How to teach history (and how not to)
By Valerie Strauss
History is fascinating but too often kids find it boring in history class. Here's what to do about it.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Making It Relevant, Teaching History

Posted at 03:02 AM ET, 05/16/2013

Seattle teachers boycotting test score a victory
By Valerie Strauss
Test scores will no longer be a graduation requirement.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:02 AM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Test, Test Revolt, The Fight Over MAP

Posted at 01:02 PM ET, 05/15/2013

School rankings: Why even the better ones are questionable
By Valerie Strauss
Here are some of the serious problems affecting even the better school rankings.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:02 PM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Rankings, The Problems

Posted at 11:10 AM ET, 05/15/2013

Letter to Obama: We need data on 'highly qualified' teachers
By Valerie Strauss
A coalition of education organizations writes to Obama expressing concern about who the federal government considers as a 'highly qualified teacher."

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:10 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Highly Qualified Teachers, Teachers, Who Is and Who Isn't

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 05/15/2013

What if Finland's great teachers taught in U.S. schools?
By Valerie Strauss
Why the U.S. emphasis on "teacher effectiveness" won't by itself really improve schools.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  3 Fallacies of 'Teacher Effectiveness', Teacher Effectiveness, Teachers

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 05/15/2013

Why we need a moratorium on the high stakes of testing
By Valerie Strauss
Randi Weingarten just called for a moratorium on the high stakes attached to new Common Core-aligned standardized tests. Here's why we should do it.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Testing, The Evidence For It

Posted at 02:21 PM ET, 05/14/2013

The most important problem facing American children today
By Valerie Strauss
What is it? According to the Academic Pediatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is the effects on poverty on health and well being.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:21 PM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  According to, According to Chldhood Experts, According to Pediatrics Experts, Poverty

Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 05/14/2013

New York high school changing Redskins nickname
By Valerie Strauss
A New York high school in Cooperstown -- home of the National Baseball Hall of Home -- is changing its sports nickname from the Redskins to the Hawkeyes.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:11 AM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Students Asked For Change, Washington Redskins

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 05/14/2013

Fourth-grade creationist science quiz: Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago -- False
By Valerie Strauss
Take a look at the questions and answers on this quiz.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:01 AM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Creationist Schools, Really

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 05/14/2013

Guess which public university president made the most money last year
By Valerie Strauss
Hint: He isn't president of that university anymore.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Presidential Compensation, You May Be Surprised

Posted at 05:01 AM ET, 05/14/2013

Why recruiting top talent isn't the best way to reform schools
By Valerie Strauss
What's the most important factor for organizational success in today's knowledge-based economy?

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:01 AM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Reform, What Works

Posted at 03:13 PM ET, 05/13/2013

Indiana halts Common Core implementation
By Valerie Strauss
Indiana is postponing implementation of the Common Core initiative so that there can be more discussion on the quality and impact of the standards.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:13 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core Standards, New Hearings Ahead

Posted at 01:14 PM ET, 05/13/2013

Insects — a new nutritious ingredient for school lunches?
By Valerie Strauss
A new U.N. report says insects are a good alternative to conventional foods and feed.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:14 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Lunches, U.N. Report on Insect Eating

Posted at 12:32 PM ET, 05/13/2013

The 21st century skill students most lack
By Valerie Strauss
Cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham identifies what he thinks is the 21st century skill that young people lack the most.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:32 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  21st Century Skills, This May Surprise You

Posted at 05:03 AM ET, 05/13/2013

Author reads with D.C. students, then writes about them
By Valerie Strauss
For the first time in the 24-year history of the PEN/Faulker program called Authors in Schools, a student asked an author to write a story about her and her classmates. He did.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:03 AM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Book Clubs, James Grady at McKinley Tech

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 05/13/2013

'The Giggler' -- a story by James Grady about students at a D.C. school
By Valerie Strauss
Here's an original short story written for and about students at McKinley Tech High School in D.C.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Read It, Short Story

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 05/13/2013

Why video cameras and teacher evaluation do not mix
By Valerie Strauss
Here's why one veteran educator thinks Bill Gates' plan to videotape teachers in their classrooms makes no sense.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bill Gates, Bill Gates' Big New Idea, Teacher Evaluation

Posted at 12:37 PM ET, 05/12/2013

Five hysterical commencement speeches
By Valerie Strauss
A frog gave one of them.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:37 PM ET, 05/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Commencement Speeches, Ellen, etc., Jon

Posted at 09:51 AM ET, 05/12/2013

Another name for Ezra Klein's 501c4 list: Rhee's StudentsFirst
By Valerie Strauss
Why should Michelle Rhee get to push public policy through her tax-subsidized organization that receives private money from secret donors?

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:51 AM ET, 05/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Michelle Rhee, StudentsFirst, Tax Dollars Subsidize Her Group

Posted at 09:43 AM ET, 05/12/2013

Gates gives $150 million in grants for Common Core Standards
By Valerie Strauss
For a supposedly public initiative, the Common Core States Initiative has benefited enormously from the generosity of Bill and Melinda Gates.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:43 AM ET, 05/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Major Investment, Common Core State Standards, The List of Grants

Posted at 12:01 PM ET, 05/11/2013

High school student tells off his teacher -- viral video
By Valerie Strauss
The following 90-second video was secretly recorded by a student at Duncanville High School in Texas as another student, Jeff Bliss, was telling off his world history teacher about the way she was teaching.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:01 PM ET, 05/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  In Texas, Teachers

Posted at 11:34 AM ET, 05/11/2013

A major school reformer's 'Nixon goes to China' moment
By Valerie Strauss
A discussion on school reform in New York took a surprising turn when a reform heavyweight said, "We're losing the communications game because we don't have a good message to communicate."

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:34 AM ET, 05/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Paul Vallas, School Reform

Posted at 09:33 AM ET, 05/11/2013

Hispanic high school graduates pass whites in college enrollment rate
By Valerie Strauss
A new analysis showd that Hispanic high school graduates have passed whites in the rate of college enrollment.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:33 AM ET, 05/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  College Enrollment, New Report

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 05/10/2013

'Yuck: A 4th Grader's Short Documentary About School Lunch'
By Valerie Strauss
A fourth grader secretly films what kids are being served in a New York City elementary school and makes an award-winning film about it.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:01 AM ET, 05/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Lunch, Watch The Trailer

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 05/10/2013

Michigan parent to Arne Duncan: 'Our schools are at the breaking point'
By Valerie Strauss
An open letter to Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 05/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Is This What Education Means?', Arne Duncan, School Reform

Posted at 01:19 PM ET, 05/09/2013

The charter future of D.C. public schools
By Valerie Strauss
With one decision about one elementary school, D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson is filling in the picture of the future for the city's long troubled school system.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:19 PM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Chancellor's New Move, D.C. Public Schools

Posted at 11:53 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Why Stephen Hawking made a mistake backing Israel boycott
By Valerie Strauss
Academic boycotts are, well, anti-academic.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:53 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Academic Boycotts, It's Anti-Academic

Posted at 10:55 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Appreciating teachers (for a change)
By Valerie Strauss
Here are some thoughts through history about teachers and their impact, from Socrates to Jon Stewart.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:55 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Quotes Throughout History, Some Kind Words, Teachers

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Colleges, universities tighten security for graduation ceremonies
By Valerie Strauss
The Massachusetts university where one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects attended is restricting the number of people who can attend this weekend's graduation ceremonies.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:01 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Boston Marathon bombings, Reaction to Boston Marathon Bombings, School Security

Posted at 05:01 AM ET, 05/09/2013

Poverty and student achievement: Are we comparing the wrong groups?
By Valerie Strauss
Many impoverished students succeed academically every day. Why do some make it and others don't?

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:01 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Looking for Answers', Blaming The Parents?, Student Achievement and Poverty

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 05/09/2013

School district closes before academic year is over
By Valerie Strauss
Teachers offered to work for free but liability issues got in the way.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Financial Crisis, School District Closes, Teachers Vote to Work For Free

Posted at 03:44 PM ET, 05/08/2013

Virginia second-graders suspended for pointing pencils at each other
By Valerie Strauss
Have you heard about the two 7- year-old boys who were suspended from school for pointing pencils at each other while making shooting sounds?

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:44 PM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Better Way to Handle It, School Discipline

Posted at 11:31 AM ET, 05/08/2013

Why it is hard to monitor bullying at schools -- report
By Valerie Strauss
A new report by education researchers look at what is known and not known about bullying in schools.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:31 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bullying, No Consensus on Definition

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 05/08/2013

What one teacher wants for Teacher Appreciation Week
By Valerie Strauss
Guess.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:01 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  An Unorthodox Request, Teachers, The State of Things

Posted at 05:01 AM ET, 05/08/2013

Eighth grader: What bothered me most about new Common Core test
By Valerie Strauss
A 14-year-old boy in New York details what he found so annoying about the new Common Core-aligned English test he and other students around the state just took.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:01 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core Tests, Standardized Tests, Worse Than Pineapple Test

Posted at 05:19 PM ET, 05/07/2013

Louisiana Supreme Court rules school voucher funding unconstitutional
By Valerie Strauss
The Supreme Court of Louisiana ruled today 6-1 that the way the state funds its school voucher program is unconstitutional.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:19 PM ET, 05/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Public Money for Public Schools, School vouchers

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 05/07/2013

What schools need and what they don't need
By Valerie Strauss
What motivates students and teachers, and what kills motivation.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 05/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  and Motivation killers, Motivation, Motivation and What Kills Motivation, Teachers

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 05/07/2013

Leave no unwealthy child behind
By Valerie Strauss
The relation between income and academic success cannot be comprehensively addressed through a childhood inoculation alone, the author argues.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 05/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Educational Equity, Educational Inequity

Posted at 09:47 PM ET, 05/06/2013

Gov. Christie teaches kids how to handle unwanted spiders: smush 'em
By Valerie Strauss

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:47 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Gov. Chris Christie, Not Spiderman

Posted at 12:02 PM ET, 05/06/2013

The problem with Pearson-designed tests that threatens thousands of scores
By Valerie Strauss
'It's testing season in New York, which can mean only one thing: It's open season on Pearson, the corporation everyone loves to hate. But this time, when they crossed a serious line, far too many state leaders and reformers are holding their fire.'

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:02 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Line Is Crossed, Standardized Tests

Posted at 08:02 AM ET, 05/06/2013

Eighteen myths about education
By Valerie Strauss
More homework means more learning, and 17 others.

By Valerie Strauss  |  08:02 AM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  An Infographic, Education Myths

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 05/06/2013

They made him take the test
By Valerie Strauss
Nobody in Florida with the power to do so stopped the state from forcing a 9-year-old boy named Michael, who was born with a brain stem but not a complete brain, from taking a standardized test.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Travesty, Standardized Tests

Posted at 04:12 PM ET, 05/05/2013

'I dare you to do better' -- Obama's Ohio State commencement speech
By Valerie Strauss
President Obama tells Ohio State grads that even though key American institutions failed them, they should stay optimistic and work to improve the country's democratic experiment.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:12 PM ET, 05/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Commencement Address, President Obama, Reject 'Creeping Cynicism', Text of Address

Posted at 12:26 PM ET, 05/04/2013

Severe technical problems raise concerns over online tests
By Valerie Strauss
In several states online problems during test administration forced postponement and sparked new concerns about testing.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:26 PM ET, 05/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Tests

Posted at 11:01 AM ET, 05/04/2013

School canceled for 'great weather'
By Valerie Strauss
Snow days are common, but a sun day?

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:01 AM ET, 05/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Closed, Video

Posted at 02:29 PM ET, 05/03/2013

Questions about the questions on new Common Core tests
By Valerie Strauss
Critics say there are problems with some of the questions on the new tests just given to students in New York.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:29 PM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Are They Clearly Written?, Common Core Tests, Try To Answer Two of Them

Posted at 10:44 AM ET, 05/03/2013

More than 200 colleges, universities still accepting students for fall
By Valerie Strauss
Here are some of the college and universities still taking students for fall.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:44 AM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Across The Country, Admissions, College Admissions, In D.C., Maryland, Other States, Virginia

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 05/03/2013

"We're Number Umpteenth!": The myth of lagging U.S. schools
By Valerie Strauss
The premise that American students lag behind counterparts in other countries is so widely accepted that it's casually repeated by just about everyone -- including educators. Here's why it's wrong.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  International Comparisons

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 05/03/2013

Beyond the education wars: A case study in collaboration
By Valerie Strauss
Here's a look at how labor and management in one school district found a path to work together.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Book Excerpt, Collaboration

Posted at 06:31 AM ET, 05/02/2013

Hospitalized 4th grader, hooked up to machines, asked to take standardized test
By Valerie Strauss
Put this in the you-can't-make-up-this-stuff category.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:31 AM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  For Real, Standardized Tests

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 05/02/2013

Duke University quits elite online learning initiative
By Valerie Strauss
Duke University professors forced the school to quit an online learning initiative with other universities that will offer for-credit courses.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Online Learning, Professors Voted Against It, Voted Against Participation

Posted at 05:03 AM ET, 05/02/2013

Why collaboration is vital to creating effective schools
By Valerie Strauss
There's a big irony emerging from the ed wars between teachers unions and supporters of market-based reforms that rely heavily on motivating school personnel by threatening them.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:03 AM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Beyond The Education Wars, Effective Schools

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 05/02/2013

Grading writing: The art and science -- and why computers can't do it
By Valerie Strauss
Writing is a fundamental human act. What really goes into assessing it?

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Quiz, First, Test Grading, Writing

Posted at 04:42 PM ET, 05/01/2013

Duncan on testing: 'We can't throw the baby out with the bathwater'
By Valerie Strauss
Education Secretary Duncan addresses growing criticism about high-stakes testing in a speech to the American Educational Research Association.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:42 PM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Arne Duncan, Says He Agrees With Some Critics

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 05/01/2013

Does what happened in 2008 still matter in 2013?
By Valerie Strauss
Why should we keep trying to figure out what happened in D.C. Public Schools in 2008?

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:16 PM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  D.C. Schools, D.C. Schools and Cheating

Posted at 11:09 AM ET, 05/01/2013

Walton Foundation giving $8 million to Rhee's StudentsFirst — plus 2012 donations
By Valerie Strauss
Who got big money from the Walton Family Foundation in 2012? Here's the list

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:09 AM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Private Money, The Billionaires Club

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 05/01/2013

Extreme Common Core rhetoric clouds serious debate
By Valerie Strauss
There's a lot of extreme talk about Common Core being voiced, and it's a problem because it it is clouding serious-minded criticism about the standards initiative and its implementation.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Clouds Serious Criticism, Common Core State Standards

Posted at 03:36 PM ET, 04/30/2013

'Parent trigger' legislation fails in Florida Senate
By Valerie Strauss
For the second straight year, significant parent opposition to "parent trigger" legislation in Florida has led to defeat in the legislature.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:36 PM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Loss For Jeb Bush, Parent Trigger

Posted at 11:44 AM ET, 04/30/2013

Not a word from Obama (or White House press corps) on education
By Valerie Strauss
What President Obama didn't talk about in his Tuesday news conference.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:44 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Education Policy, Nada On Education, On Education, President Obama

Posted at 10:17 AM ET, 04/30/2013

Top 10 wage-earning industries
By Valerie Strauss
Wondering what field you or your children should go into?

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:17 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Jobs, Six-Figure Salaries

Posted at 10:09 AM ET, 04/30/2013

AFT's Weingarten urges moratorium on high stakes linked to Common Core tests
By Valerie Strauss
AFT president Randi Weingarten says high-stakes tests are unfairly being given to students before teachers have had time to properly absorb and create curriculum around the Common Core standards.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:09 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core Implementation Challenged, Common Core Standards, Randi Weingarten

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 04/30/2013

'Who allowed these big boys to go and play in education? Now the moms have to clean it up'
By Valerie Strauss
What started with eight women from Austin and suburban Houston is now a movement that spread across Texas and is challenging the standardized testing regime in the Lone Star State.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Pushback on Testing, Standardized Testing

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 04/30/2013

Have standardized tests really helped kids learn more?
By Valerie Strauss

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Tests, There's No Evidence It Has

Posted at 05:43 PM ET, 04/29/2013

Georgia high school holds first integrated prom
By Valerie Strauss
A group of black and white students who were longtime friends pushed for the event and made it happen.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:43 PM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  After Students Push For It, Integration, Segregation

Posted at 04:02 PM ET, 04/29/2013

The gap between school reform rhetoric and reality in 3 cities
By Valerie Strauss
Results for school reform in three major cities -- Washington D.C., New York City and Chicago -- have been less rosy than touted by reformers, a study shows.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 PM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:53 AM ET, 04/29/2013

Study: Preschool funding sees unprecedented single-year drop
By Valerie Strauss
Enrollment stalled and more programs saw a drop in quality than improvement along with the funding drop.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:53 AM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Early Childhood Education, Nationwide

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 04/29/2013

StudentsFirst 'parent trigger' petition: Phony signatures?
By Valerie Strauss
Some folks say they don't know why their names are on the petition.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:01 AM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:50 PM ET, 04/28/2013

Obama's big second-term education problem
By Valerie Strauss
President Obama has something of a problem in his second term in terms of education policy: His first term.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:50 PM ET, 04/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Education Policy, Education Reform, It's Duncan's Problem Too, President Obama

Posted at 12:24 PM ET, 04/27/2013

A dozen things teachers won't tell parents (e.g., 'Kids dish on your secrets all the time')
By Valerie Strauss
What teachers would like to say to parents but don't: Please, no more mugs, frames, or stuffed animals, and a bunch more.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:24 PM ET, 04/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Teachers, We're Not Marriage Counselors

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 04/27/2013

A 'parent trigger' mystery solved in Florida
By Valerie Strauss
Who started a new pro parent trigger group and why did nobody take credit for it?

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:07 AM ET, 04/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 10:17 AM ET, 04/27/2013

And now, Girl Scout badges aligned to Common Core standards
By Valerie Strauss
There's nothing, it seems, in this school reform era that you can't align with standards -- even Girl Scout badges.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:17 AM ET, 04/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core State Standards, From Cadettes to Ambassadors, From Daisies to Ambassadors

Posted at 12:46 PM ET, 04/26/2013

The real problem in education: the 'opportunity gap'
By Valerie Strauss
'We have failed to build capacity or increase opportunities to learn.'

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:46 PM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Equity, The Issue of Equity

Posted at 11:01 AM ET, 04/26/2013

A bad idea in D.C. on school reform -- and a sharp response (update)
By Valerie Strauss
The belief that this process should start with a team of lawyers and not end with one speaks to a fundamental missed opportunity.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:01 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Stop Hunting and Ask the Crowd', A Bad Idea, D.C. Public Schools, School Reform

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013

Why the public should see questions on new standardized tests
By Valerie Strauss

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  High Stakes, Standardized Tests

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013

AP program isn't all it's cracked up to be -- study
By Valerie Strauss
A new study from Stanford University that reviews research on the Advanced Placement program -- including about how much benefit students get from it when they reach college -- is not accurate.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Advanced Placement, Advanced Placement coureses

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/26/2013

Why famous dropouts aren't the best advocates for staying in school
By Valerie Strauss
Do kids really believe the message?

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Mark Wahlberg, Role Models

Posted at 07:02 AM ET, 04/25/2013

Can computers really grade essay tests?
By Valerie Strauss
The National Council of Teachers of English say "no," even if there is new software that says "yes."

By Valerie Strauss  |  07:02 AM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Debate on Technology in Education, Technology in Education

Posted at 05:01 AM ET, 04/25/2013

How arcane rules -- not student achievement -- drove No Child Left Behind
By Valerie Strauss
"Phrases such as 'we need to hold schools accountable' sound wonderful, but what really matters is how we do so."

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:01 AM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  No Child Left Behind, Unintended Consequences

Posted at 04:05 AM ET, 04/25/2013

Yet a new Pearson problem with testing
By Valerie Strauss
Here's an email from a doctor who ran into trouble with Pearson testing.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:05 AM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Complaint, Pearson, Standardized Testing

Posted at 03:52 PM ET, 04/24/2013

Students in D.C. region can't formally 'opt out' of standardized tests
By Valerie Strauss
Parents in some other states are formally "opting out" of high-stakes standardized tests and keeping their children at home on test days, but they can't in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:52 PM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Movement Growing, Opt Out Movement, Standardized Tests

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 04/24/2013

How private money is driving public education policy
By Valerie Strauss
" I find the brazenness, arrogance, and disregard for public decision making of current philanthropic attempts to influence federal policy just as dangerous to democracy as the critics of the original foundations contended so vociferously 100 years ago."

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Brief History, Billionaires

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 04/24/2013

Is the Common Core Standards initiative in trouble?
By Valerie Strauss
Education Secretary Arne Duncan recently met with Chamber of Commerce leaders and urged them to be more vocal and forceful in defending the Common Core State Standards. Why?

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core State Standards, Some States Reconsidering

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/24/2013

A brief history of Pearson's problems with testing
By Valerie Strauss
Over years, in different states and a U.S. territory.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Testing Errors

Posted at 03:33 PM ET, 04/23/2013

The color of school closures
By Valerie Strauss
Who is most affected by public school closures in major cities?

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:33 PM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  An Infographic, School Closures

Posted at 12:02 PM ET, 04/23/2013

A windfall for failing charter schools?
By Valerie Strauss
Lawmakers in Indiana are debating whether to forgive millions of dollars in loans that the state gave to charter schools that lost their charters because they were academically failing.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:02 PM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Charter Schools, Loan Forgiveness

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/23/2013

2013 National Teacher of Year: Public education not in crisis
By Valerie Strauss
The newly named Teacher of the Year, from Washington State, is not a big fan of all of President Obama's education policies.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Disagrees With Reformers on Evaluation, Teachers

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 04/23/2013

Parent trigger: Who's for it and who's against it tells the story
By Valerie Strauss
It's a powerful coalition of wealthy organizations against grassroots citizens organizations.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Parent Trigger, The Lineups

Posted at 04:03 AM ET, 04/23/2013

Standardized test questions kids have to answer that don't even count
By Valerie Strauss
Parents and students may not know this, but all of the questions kids have to answer on standardized tests don't actually count. Here's why.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:03 AM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Field Test Questions, Field Testing, Standardized Tests

Posted at 04:50 PM ET, 04/22/2013

2013 National Teacher of the Year named
By Valerie Strauss
Jeff Charbonneau, a high school science teacher from Zillah, Washington, was chosen as 2013 National Teacher of the Year.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:50 PM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  He Teaches Science, Teachers

Posted at 04:28 PM ET, 04/22/2013

Obama hosts young inventors at 2013 White House Science Fair
By Valerie Strauss
Some 100 students from more than 40 states are attending the 2013 White House Science Fair, which began today with President Obama hosting the initiative designed to stress the importance of the STEM subjects.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:28 PM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Link To Watch It, STEM subjects, Stresses STEM Subjects, White House Science Fair, You Can Watch It

Posted at 10:02 AM ET, 04/22/2013

School warns students: No test, no sports
By Valerie Strauss
How's this for twisting students' arms to take high-stakes standardized tests?

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:02 AM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Threat?, Standardized Tests

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/22/2013

What's wrong with this school language survey form?
By Valerie Strauss
Look at this Home Language Survey Form from D.C. Public Schools to parents. What's wrong with it?

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  D.C. Public Schools, DCPS Home Language Survey

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 04/22/2013

Pearson flubs test scoring for gifted-and-talented programs
By Valerie Strauss
Pearson, the world's largest education company, was just forced to apologize for making errors in its scoring of assessments for entry into gifted and talented programs in New York City public schools.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Company Apologizes, Standardized Tests

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 04/21/2013

Teacher: How my job went from great to infuriating
By Valerie Strauss
Here's a call for the end of high-stakes standardized tests from a teacher who chronicles how school reform forced him to change how he taught.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:16 PM ET, 04/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Effects of NCLB, No Child Left Behind, School Reform, Teachers, What School Reform Did

Posted at 12:02 PM ET, 04/21/2013

Duncan spells out education agenda to Congress
By Valerie Strauss
Education Secretary Arne Duncan makes his case for education budget to congressional subcommittee. Here's his testimony.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:02 PM ET, 04/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Arne Duncan, Defending 2014 Budget Request, Education Budget

Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 04/21/2013

The basic business principles school reformers ignore
By Valerie Strauss
How the Common Core State Standards initiative violates basic business principles

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:11 AM ET, 04/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core Standards, They Violate Business Principles, Why Common Core is 'a mess'

Posted at 10:54 AM ET, 04/20/2013

New standardized tests feature plugs for commercial products
By Valerie Strauss
And now, commercials on new high-stakes standardized tests aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:54 AM ET, 04/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Tests, Students Confused

Posted at 09:46 AM ET, 04/20/2013

When it's not his children's school
By Valerie Strauss
A parent blasts Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his plan to close more than 50 public schools

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:46 AM ET, 04/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Chicago School Closings, School Reform

Posted at 09:47 AM ET, 04/19/2013

Boston suspect's university reopening Sunday (update)
By Valerie Strauss
Here are some of the unprecedented messages schools sent to their students to tell them not to go to class Friday.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:47 AM ET, 04/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Boston Marathon Bombingts, Closed

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/19/2013

Common Core Standards attacked by Republicans
By Valerie Strauss
Will new Republican efforts against on the Common Core State Standards destroy the bipartisanship that got them approved in more than 45 states?

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core State Standards, Is Bipartisanship Over?

Posted at 02:13 PM ET, 04/18/2013

Why I'm not writing (anything new) about Jay's High School Challenge Index this year
By Valerie Strauss
For lots of reasons. Here they are.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:13 PM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Challenge Index, He Just Published the 2013 List

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 04/18/2013

Gabby Giffords nails it on Senate's failure
By Valerie Strauss
So much for making children and schools safer.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:17 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Safety

Posted at 05:32 AM ET, 04/18/2013

Virginia Tech, other colleges tightening security
By Valerie Strauss
Colleges and universities are tightening security around the country for big weekend sporting and other events in the wake of Monday's deadly bombings at the Boston Marathon.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:32 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  At Big Events, Boston Marathon bombings, School Security

Posted at 05:02 AM ET, 04/18/2013

School principals and the rhetoric of 'instructional leadership'
By Valerie Strauss
Today in the education world principals are supposed to be, above most everything else, "instructional leaders." What does that means, and is it accurate?

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:02 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  The Role of Principals, What Research Shows

Posted at 10:53 AM ET, 04/17/2013

There's a lot of 'acting' at U.S. Education Department
By Valerie Strauss
Nearly six months after the presidential election, the Education Department is still riddled with "acting" officials and Secretary Arne Duncan is losing key aides.

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:53 AM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Arne Duncan, Duncan Losing Top Aides, Education Department

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/17/2013

Eighth grader designs standardized test that slams standardized tests
By Valerie Strauss
The reading passage starts: 'Dear New York State, I am not fond of your tests. They do not show you who I am, or who my teachers are....'

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Reading Multiple Choice, Standardized Tests

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/17/2013

'Personalization' of learning: Genuine or slick marketing?
By Valerie Strauss
Is using technological tools to "personalize" student learning the real thing?

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Reform

Posted at 08:20 PM ET, 04/16/2013

Boston University: Grad student killed, another injured in bombings
By Valerie Strauss
Boston University said today that one of the three people killed in Monday's bombings at the Boston Marathon was a graduate student at the school, and another grad student was injured.

By Valerie Strauss  |  08:20 PM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Boston Marathon Bombing, Offering Counseling Services to Students

Posted at 12:58 PM ET, 04/16/2013

D.C. custodial staff were evaluated by student test scores. Really. (update)
By Valerie Strauss
How obsessive have school reformers been with linking student standardized test scores to the evaluations of adults in school buildings?

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:58 PM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  D.C. Public Schools, Evaluation, That's Not All

Posted at 08:17 AM ET, 04/16/2013

How to talk to children about deadly Boston Marathon bombings
By Valerie Strauss
This is the third time in seven months that I am running this post. How parents and teachers can help young people cope with the horror of the Boston Marathon.

By Valerie Strauss  |  08:17 AM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Boston Marathon bombings, For Parents and Teacherss

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/16/2013

Common Core testing begins in NY -- but are exams ready for prime time?
By Valerie Strauss
A testing expert explains why the new Common Core-aligned standardized tests that New York State students are starting to take are not really ready to be administered.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  No, Standardized Tests, Testing Expert Says

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 04/16/2013

Teacher: Yes, the testing culture does contribute to cheating
By Valerie Strauss
An award-winning elementary school teacher writes the third part in something of a debate on the Atlanta test cheating scandal and what/who is to blame when educators cheat on student standardized tests.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Environment Matters, Standardized Tests, Test Cheating

Posted at 09:47 PM ET, 04/15/2013

Why D.C. charter school is denied enrollment increase -- in 9 tweets
By Valerie Strauss
A D.C. charter school sought permission to hike enrollment for an unusual reason.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:47 PM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Charter Schools, Unusual Reason

Posted at 03:29 PM ET, 04/15/2013

Lawsuit: Stop evaluating teachers on test scores of students they never taught (2nd update)
By Valerie Strauss
A group of teachers and teachers unions are filing a lawsuit against Florida officials that challenges the state's educator evaluation system.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:29 PM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Makes No Sense, Standardized Tests

Posted at 09:20 AM ET, 04/15/2013

A tweet that says it all
By Valerie Strauss
The effect of the test-based school reform in 26 words and an ampersand.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:20 AM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  About Test Obsession, Standardized Testing, Test Anxiety

Posted at 08:02 AM ET, 04/15/2013

The right -- and wrong role -- for teachers
By Valerie Strauss
Put teachers in the right role and they can be effective. But even the best can't do much if they are in the wrong role.

By Valerie Strauss  |  08:02 AM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Effectiveness, Teachers

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/15/2013

The problem with school superintendents
By Valerie Strauss
Two trends have characterized the urban school district superintendency in recent years, neither of them good.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Needed: Continuity, Not Change, School Superintendents

Posted at 12:12 PM ET, 04/14/2013

How they cheated on D.C. tests: Excerpts from new report
By Valerie Strauss
How many ways did D.C. educators cheat on the 2102 high-stakes Comprehensive Assessment System tests given to students?

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:12 PM ET, 04/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Cheating on Tests, Multiple Ways, Standardized Tests

Posted at 11:06 AM ET, 04/14/2013

Count the errors (update)
By Valerie Strauss
... in this D.C. Education Committee description of an upcoming hearing on test security.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:06 AM ET, 04/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  D.C. Council, DC Council, Test Cheating

Posted at 10:11 AM ET, 04/14/2013

Probe of past D.C. test cheating called 'impractical' (update)
By Valerie Strauss
The D.C. Council's Education Committee will discuss the standardized test cheating scandal at a previously scheduled hearing on Thursday that, ironically, was intended to be about about test security .

By Valerie Strauss  |  10:11 AM ET, 04/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Better Late Than Never, D.C. Schools, Michelle Rhee, Standardized Tests, Test Cheating

Posted at 09:42 AM ET, 04/13/2013

Yes, Rhee saw the test cheating memo
By Valerie Strauss
Just to be clear, because some have wondered, Michelle Rhee, then the chancellor of D.C. public schools, did see the memo about test cheating.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:42 AM ET, 04/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Cheating on Tests, If You Were Wondering

Posted at 09:35 AM ET, 04/13/2013

Study: School reform in 3 major cities brings few benefits, some harm
By Valerie Strauss
A new study on the effects of corporate-based school reform in Washington D.C., New York City and concludes that little has been accomplished and some harm has been done to students.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:35 AM ET, 04/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Chicago, D.C., New York City, School Reform

Posted at 09:25 AM ET, 04/13/2013

The think-like-a-Nazi school assignment (update)
By Valerie Strauss
A high school English teacher in Albany actually gave this persuasive writing assignment to students: "Argue that Jews are evil, and use solid rationale from government propaganda to convince me of your loyalty to the Third Reich!"

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:25 AM ET, 04/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Argue That Jews Are Evil', Bad Assignments

Posted at 12:16 PM ET, 04/12/2013

Why not subpoena everyone in D.C. cheating scandal -- Rhee included? (update)
By Valerie Strauss
You don't investigate criminal activity by going in and asking, "Did you cheat? Are you sure you didn't cheat?" Everyone should have to testify under oath, including Michelle Rhee.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:16 PM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Cheating on Tests, D.C. Schools, New Memo Surfaces

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/12/2013

NY's 2013 'High School Principal of Year' is fighting state over reform
By Valerie Strauss
New York State's new High School Principal of the Year is Carol Burris, a school leader in Long Island who has been a leader in a fight with state officials over reforms

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Opposes Test-Based Accountability, School Reform

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/12/2013

'Learning disabilities' movement turns 50
By Valerie Strauss
Fifty years ago the phrase "learning disabilities" was coined -- and a movement began.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Brief History, Learning Disabilities

Posted at 01:02 PM ET, 04/11/2013

The test didn't make them cheat
By Valerie Strauss
A leading educator takes issue with Bill Ayers' post which said the road to the Atlanta cheating scandal "runs through the White House.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:02 PM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Response to Bill Ayers, Standardized Tests, Test Cheating

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/11/2013

Teacher: Why I won't quit despite 'inane' reform
By Valerie Strauss
A teacher explains why she won't give up the classroom even though many of her colleagues are.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Her Letter to Arne Duncan, School Reform, Teachers

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/11/2013

What teachers need and reformers ignore: time to collaborate
By Valerie Strauss
Darling-Hammond: The reform impulse that gave rise to construction of new learning standards and assessments will only work if we invest in the capacity of educators to work together effectively.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Linda Darling-Hammond, School Reform, Teachers

Posted at 01:25 AM ET, 04/11/2013

Ten things to know about Fairfax County's next schools chief
By Valerie Strauss
She was born and educated in Texas, plus more about Karen Garza.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:25 AM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Fairfax County Schools, Her Background and Views

Posted at 07:46 PM ET, 04/10/2013

Reaction mixed in ed world to Obama budget proposal (update)
By Valerie Strauss
Some are applauding Obama's 2014 budget proposal, some are criticizing it and some are doing both.

By Valerie Strauss  |  07:46 PM ET, 04/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:47 PM ET, 04/10/2013

Universal preschool: Important but no panacea
By Valerie Strauss
Increasing the number of youngsters in preschool is a good thing. But improving quality in programs is another, and the content and direction of preschools will be influenced by ideological fervor.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:47 PM ET, 04/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Early Childhood Education, Preschool, Quality of Program Matters

Posted at 02:16 PM ET, 04/10/2013

Obama's 2014 budget proposal on education
By Valerie Strauss
Obama pushes to expand preschool and do a college-version of Race to the Top: Here are details of the Obama 2014 budget proposal in regard to education.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:16 PM ET, 04/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obama budget, Push For Preschool

Posted at 12:36 PM ET, 04/10/2013

Jon Stewart ridicules bill linking welfare to good grades
By Valerie Strauss
Jon Stewart takes aim at legislation in Tennessee to take away welfare payments from families whose kids don't do well.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:36 PM ET, 04/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Really Bad Idea, Jon Stewart

Posted at 03:54 PM ET, 04/09/2013

How much do college students really drink?
By Valerie Strauss
After a false alarm at the University of Virginia that dorm rooms were being raided for alcohol, the question arises: How much do college kids really drink? Here is more than you may want to know about the subject.

By Valerie Strauss  |  03:54 PM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Are Schools Swimming in Booze?, College Drinking

Posted at 09:01 AM ET, 04/09/2013

Newark students stage walkout to protest budget cuts (update)
By Valerie Strauss
Newark students plan walkout to protest cuts, closings

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:01 AM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:09 AM ET, 04/09/2013

The absolute worst story (and video) about standardized testing
By Valerie Strauss
Here's a video about a boy born without most of his brain who is being forced to take a standardized test in Florida because the law requires it. Really.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:09 AM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Boy With Partial Brain Forced to Take Test, Standardized Test

Posted at 11:47 PM ET, 04/07/2013

Principal warns parents: 'Don't buy the bunk' about new Common Core tests
By Valerie Strauss
Parents will soon be told whether their children are "on the road" to college readiness based on cut scores on tests of the new Common Core standards. But there is no evidence the scores will have any meaning.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:47 PM ET, 04/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core State Standards, High-Stakes Tests, Questions About 'Cut Scores', Standardized Tests

Posted at 02:04 PM ET, 04/07/2013

Mom: Why I won't let my son take high-stakes standardized test
By Valerie Strauss
" As test prep ramped up in February and March I had another revelation: Jacob does not love to read. Based on what he was bringing home from school, how could he? I realized that if I wanted to help him to love to read I had to take off the pressure that was coming from the PSSA."

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:04 PM ET, 04/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Tests, Tests Making Schools 'Worse'

Posted at 04:03 AM ET, 04/06/2013

Teacher's resignation letter: 'My profession no longer exists'
By Valerie Strauss
Increasingly teachers are speaking out against school reforms that they believe are demeaning their profession, and some are simply quitting because they have had enough.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:03 AM ET, 04/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Ill-Conceived Policies', Teachers

Posted at 11:10 AM ET, 04/05/2013

Georgia students fight segregated proms
By Valerie Strauss
A group of black and white students who have been friends for years are fighting to end a whites-only prom at a Georgia high school.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:10 AM ET, 04/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  in 2013, School Segregation, Yes

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 04/05/2013

Can we stop talking about who got into which college?
By Valerie Strauss
Here's a rant about the college admissions process -- and the intense discussion about who got accepted where.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 04/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  College Admissions, Tina Fey's Movie Isn't Helping

Posted at 04:19 PM ET, 04/04/2013

List of Maryland private schools getting publicly funded books, other materials
By Valerie Strauss
Some well-known private schools in Maryland are getting books and computers that are being paid for by public funds.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:19 PM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Private Schools

Posted at 01:32 PM ET, 04/04/2013

Why renowned educators -- and new teachers -- are 'occupying' Ed Dept
By Valerie Strauss
Today teachers, students, parents, researchers and other activists are starting the second annual "Occupy the DOE" event on the grounds of the U.S. Education Department to protest corporate-based school reform. A new teacher explains why she is attending.

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:32 PM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  New Teacher Explains Why She Is ATtending, School Reform

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/04/2013

An urban school district that works -- without miracles or Teach For America
By Valerie Strauss
To listen to some school reformers, you'd think there are no urban traditional public schools that are successful. Here's a different story, excerpted from David Kirp's new "Improbable Scholars: The Rebirth of a Great American School System And A Strategy For America's Schools."

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Book Excerpt, Book Excerpt by David Kirp, School Reform

Posted at 02:02 PM ET, 04/03/2013

Why is Maryland spending millions in public funds for private school books, computers?
By Valerie Strauss
There's an interesting item in the 2014 supplemental budget that Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has submitted: A request for $500,000 in "additional funds for non-public school textbooks." What is this all about?

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:02 PM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Maryland Schools, Other States Do It Too

Posted at 01:01 PM ET, 04/03/2013

Following the school reform money
By Valerie Strauss
Just how well-coordinated and far-reaching is the intersection of school reform and politics?

By Valerie Strauss  |  01:01 PM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Intersection of Politics, It's Coordinated, Money in School Reform, Reform, School Reform

Posted at 11:05 AM ET, 04/03/2013

The new kindergarten: Kids write 'informative' reports
By Valerie Strauss
Remember back in the olden days when kindergarteners used to be allowed to learn from playing? Look what they are doing now.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:05 AM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Common Core, Curriculum, The Common Core

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 04/03/2013

Will charter schools survive the confusing charter movement?
By Valerie Strauss
America's education policies are brimming with contradiction, perhaps nowhere more than the charter movement.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Pogo Moment, Charter Schools

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 04/03/2013

Bill Ayers: Road to Atlanta cheating scandal 'runs right through White House'
By Valerie Strauss
Longtime educator Bill Ayers focuses on federal school reform policies that led to the Atlanta cheating scandal.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Standardized Tests, Test Cheating

Posted at 12:32 PM ET, 04/02/2013

Why Common Core tests won't be what Arne Duncan promised
By Valerie Strauss
How much better will the next generation of standardized tests, aligned to the Common Core standards, really be?

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:32 PM ET, 04/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  After $360 Million, Common Core Standards, Standardized Tests

Posted at 12:17 PM ET, 04/02/2013

How to arm our schools
By Valerie Strauss
What is the best way to protect students at school?

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:17 PM ET, 04/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Security, The Right Resources

Posted at 04:02 AM ET, 04/02/2013

The new challenges of teaching
By Valerie Strauss
An education school dean writes: 'Our schools are no longer designed to produce educated citizens but rather places to produce test results.'

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 AM ET, 04/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Teaching and Learning, The Impact of Testing

Posted at 12:29 PM ET, 04/01/2013

King Kugel: An April Fools' history lesson
By Valerie Strauss
Back in1983, Boston University's public relations folks decided to have a little fun with April Fool's Day. Here's how the AP got duped.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:29 PM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  April Fool's Day, Did This Really Happen?, History

Posted at 11:23 AM ET, 04/01/2013

Teach for America critics organizing 'resistance' at summit
By Valerie Strauss
A group of Teach For America alumni and students of TFA teachers who are critical of the organization are holding a summitt to organize against the organization.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:23 AM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Seek To Fight Group, Set For Summer, Teach for America

Posted at 04:01 AM ET, 04/01/2013

Atlanta test cheating: Tip of the iceberg?
By Valerie Strauss
In the past four academic years, test cheating by adults has been confirmed in 37 states and Washington D.C. Atlanta may not have been the worst of it.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:01 AM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  In 35 States and D.C., Test Cheating

Posted at 02:53 PM ET, 03/31/2013

50 ways adults in schools 'cheat' on standardized tests
By Valerie Strauss
How do adults in a school cheat on standardized tests? Count the ways.

By Valerie Strauss  |  02:53 PM ET, 03/31/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  After Exam, Before, During, Test Cheating

Posted at 05:37 PM ET, 03/30/2013

Scathing excerpts from Atlanta indictment in test cheating scandal
By Valerie Strauss
Excerpts of the Atlanta test cheating indictment reveal stark details of alleged wrongdoing.

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:37 PM ET, 03/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  'Unreasonable Pressure', Atlanta Indictment, Testing Scandal

Posted at 04:02 PM ET, 03/30/2013

List of charges against 35 in Atlanta test cheating indictment
By Valerie Strauss
Here's the release issued by the Fulton County District Attorney's Office in Georgia with details and a list of charges in the Atlanta test cheating indictment.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:02 PM ET, 03/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Charged Under RICO, Standardized Tests, Test Cheating

Posted at 11:11 AM ET, 03/30/2013

Atlanta's former schools chief charged under law used against Mafia
By Valerie Strauss
A law used against members of the Gambino crime family is being used against a former superintendent of Atlanta schools in a massive test cheating scandal. Who is next?

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:11 AM ET, 03/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Indictments in Atlanta, Standardized Tests

Posted at 06:17 PM ET, 03/29/2013

Ben Carson: I'll withdraw as Johns Hopkins speaker if students don't want me
By Valerie Strauss
The famed neurosurgeon is scheduled to make the commencement speech at Johns Hopkins Medical School in May.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:17 PM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:14 PM ET, 03/29/2013

Michelle Rhee, a private school parent?
By Valerie Strauss
The very outspoken Michelle Rhee appears to be uncomfortable talking about where her children go to school in Nashville. Public or private? And why does it matter?

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:14 PM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Michelle Rhee, She Won't Say

Posted at 06:01 AM ET, 03/29/2013

Key education activists protesting in D.C. next week
By Valerie Strauss
Leading education activists are converging on Washington D.C. next week to protest school reform.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:01 AM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School R, School Reform

Posted at 12:31 PM ET, 03/28/2013

Scary reading in charter school bill
By Valerie Strauss
The details of charter school legislation in North Carolina reveal that its sponsors don't care much for holding charters accountable.

By Valerie Strauss  |  12:31 PM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Charter Schools, Where's The Accountability?

Posted at 11:15 AM ET, 03/28/2013

Former TFAer: Teach For America didn't prepare me for troubled kids
By Valerie Strauss
A former Teach For America corps members says the organization didn't prepare him for the troubled children he encountered in a South Bronx classroom.

By Valerie Strauss  |  11:15 AM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Teach for America, Video

Posted at 09:55 AM ET, 03/28/2013

On the question of student privacy
By Valerie Strauss
Here is a view counter to one expressed in a recent post about a lawsuit alleging that the Education Department is promoting rules that expand the release of private student data to third parties.

By Valerie Strauss  |  09:55 AM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  A Different View, Student Privacy

Posted at 08:02 AM ET, 03/28/2013

We didn't need a survey to tell us this
By Valerie Strauss
Do the people of Chicago really want corporate-based school reform? What a survey really tells us.

By Valerie Strauss  |  08:02 AM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Reform

Posted at 06:02 AM ET, 03/28/2013

Five ways to get kids to want to read and write
By Valerie Strauss
Here's a book excerpt from veteran educator Larry Ferlazzo's new book on how to get students to warn to learn.

By Valerie Strauss  |  06:02 AM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Book Excerpt, Teaching and Learning

Posted at 05:41 PM ET, 03/27/2013

Giffords to give college commencement address
By Valerie Strauss
Giffords to give college commencement address

By Valerie Strauss  |  05:41 PM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:40 PM ET, 03/27/2013

The problem with New Jersey's takeover of Camden schools
By Valerie Strauss
Something had to be done for the kids in Camden public schools, but here's why the newly announced state takeover may not help a bit.

By Valerie Strauss  |  04:40 PM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  School Reform, State Takeover, The Same Old Thing