Smith & Love: States should pursue their own course under an administration that in Alabama’s case showed respect for local and state control of education.
Another Mess ESSA Made
Jay Matthews: “In the spirit of confusing bipartisanship,” the Every Student Succeeds Act insisted each state define what an ineffective teacher was.
Feds Dangle Money at States for “Enhanced Assessments”
The U.S. Department of Education has announced the Enhanced Assessments Grants program to help states study improving their current assessment systems.
Education Voter Guide in Wisconsin 1st Congressional District Primary
Stop Common Core in Wisconsin has an education policy voter guide for the Wisconsin 1st Congressional District GOP Primary between Paul Ryan and Paul Nehlen
The Every Child Achieves Act Continues Test-based Accountability
S. 1177 retains the 17 NCLB mandated annual tests in grades 3-12 and includes of student test performance in state accountability systems.
The Real Problems Federal Assessment Programs Imposed Upon Education
The value of effective teaching assessments is being undercut by the problems created by an overbearing federal involvement defining teacher accountability.
Thousands of Colorado 12th Graders Opt-Out of New Assessment
More than 5,000 Colorado 12th graders opted out of a new state-mandated science and social studies assessment last week. Here are some excerpts of local coverage: Chalkbeat Colorado: Instead of taking the state’s science and social studies tests, seniors at Fairview High School (in Boulder) braved below-zero temperatures to rally against a testing system they […]
Don’t Turn Kindergarteners Into Test-Taking Minions
WFTV 9 in central Florida reports that Florida plans to implement means-testing of Kindergarteners. Yes you read that right. An excerpt: Channel 9’s Lori Brown found out that the state is requiring districts to develop tests for every subject taught in kindergarten. The state law requires Orange County to develop 15 different tests for kindergarteners. […]
Looking for Feedback on Assessments
There are two items re. assessments that keep cropping up in my inbox that I would love to receive some feedback on from our readers. The first item I have been hearing about is the Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BASC-2) by Pearson. I’ve been told a number of school districts have implemented this. What […]
Data Mine Students to Measure Grit?
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology published a report back in February entitled “Promoting Grit, Tenacity and Perseverance: Critical Factors for Success in the 21st Century.” From the executive summary: How can we best prepare children and adolescents to thrive in the 21st century—an era of achievement gaps that must be closed […]