At a school where a student drowned, more than one lesson to be learned
Four years ago, at an open house for his new middle school, I met Jose Maldonado, the New York City principal who may be put on probation after one of his students drowned on a field trip to the beach. Afterward, I wrote in the New York Sun that the school, Columbia Secondary School for […]
Recess round-up: July 16, 2010
A daily dose of education news around the nation – just in time for a little mid-day break! Student placement: Three civil rights groups quit their work with the Boston public schools on finding new ways of assigning students to schools, citing concerns about “BPS’ lack of meaningful engagement with the community during this process.” (The […]
Report on stimulus spending reveals a job well-done, for now
A report released today from the Center on Education Policy (CEP) concludes that the broad goals of the roughly $100 billion education portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) — also known as the stimulus package — are being met at the school-district level. At least for the 2009-10 school year. The findings, […]
Recess round-up: July 15, 2010
A daily dose of education news around the nation – just in time for a little mid-day break! Standardized testing: A new study finds that when given a little monetary incentive, 12th-graders perform better on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). (EdWeek) As Connecticut marks its 25th year of its state standardized test, Robert […]
Recess round-up: July 14, 2010
A daily dose of education news around the nation – just in time for a little mid-day break! Dropout recovery: While “credit recovery” might be expanding for students who are a few courses behind their peers, blogger Tom Vander Ark details a “more robust strategy” for those who are several years off track. (EdReformer) Teacher […]
To raise test scores, plant a garden
Ignoring tests could be a great way to improve test scores, or so suggested a story in the Wall Street Journal over the weekend. In response to pressure to raise achievement, administrators at a struggling New Jersey school planted a garden. They also added a peer-mediation program and invited “scholars to teach art, dance and music.” […]
Recess round-up: July 13, 2010
A daily dose of education news around the nation – just in time for a little mid-day break! Study abroad: A large research initiative looking at Georgia’s university system has found that studying abroad improves students’ grades and graduation rates. (Inside Higher Ed) Stimulus money: Districts in Denver have been slow to spend their stimulus […]
New lawsuit in California might signal shift in strategy, surge of similar cases
A lawsuit filed today alleges that California’s school funding system is unconstitutional, and it might hint at things to come around the country. A surge of similar cases and subtle changes in the legal arguments of such cases are possible, experts say. Public Advocates, the San Francisco-based public interest law firm and advocacy group that filed the suit on […]
Recess round-up: July 12, 2010
A daily dose of education news around the nation – just in time for a little mid-day break! Introduction to college: A new program in Alaska targets high school juniors who would be the first in their families to go to college and introduces them to campus life. (Anchorage Daily News) Across the country, colleges are […]
How not to be a role model
That young people look up to Hollywood stars and professional athletes as role models is a fact of life. Often, these superstars disappoint us by revealing that they, too, are only human. This is an especially difficult reality for children to accept. We want — and we need — heroes. Superheroes, even. For a brief bit […]
