Common Core

Must-reads, in our opinion, from this week’s education news.

Coalition Aims to Revise Voluntary National Arts Standards, Education Week’s “Curriculum Matters”

“Everyone” supports the arts; but policies too-often don’t. Maybe revising arts standards will give the arts a needed place in the policy conversation?

New Ed Week Report Sees High School Graduation Rates Rising, Education Week’s “Curriculum Matters”

High schools are graduating more students. But, whether they choose to pursue a two- or a four-year degree, are students ready for college?

Chicago’s B-students need remedial help, “Community College Spotlight”

At City Colleges of Chicago, “94 percent [of Chicago Public Schools graduates] test into remedial math, 81 percent into remedial English and 71 percent into remedial reading.” Maybe something was lacking in their high school courses?

Central Falls Teacher: Why I Quit, “Linking and Thinking on Education”

They were promised a chance to develop curriculum. Instead, science teachers got “pre-packaged kits.”

Happy Friday.

Must-reads, in our opinion, from this week’s education news.

A commencement address worth reading, Flypaper

Why knowledge is still important in the “information age.”

Advanced Students in Federal Way, Wash. Automatically Enrolled in AP, IB and Cambridge Programs, Huffington Post

But AP for everyone?

Duncan Argues for Fast-Tracking ESEA; Kline Says No Way, Education Week’s “Politics K-12”

This week’s token ESEA reauthorization-read.

A Step Back for Learning Languages, The New York Times

And, since it’s Friday, some sarcasm: “Do not be confused, dear citizens and students: the state still believes that it is important to learn foreign languages and culture before graduation. … Just not $700,000 important.”

Happy Friday.

Must-reads, in our opinion, from this week’s education news.

Deep Thoughts about “Deeper Thought,” The Huffington Post

Peter Meyer wonders what students are thinking critically about.

Specialists Weigh Common Core Social Studies, Education Week

Social studies specialists are attempting to get their subject off the sidelines – but they’re afraid of specifics.

How a Teacher Turned a “B-Track” Class into Honors, The Washington Post’s “The Answer Sheet”

This week’s inspiration; you’re welcome.

The College Majors That Do Best in the Job Market, The New York Time’s “Exonomix”

My humanities major doesn’t clock in too favorably.

In Defense of the Liberal Arts, Newsweek

Solace: “The next chapter of the nation’s economic life could well be written not only by engineers but by entrepreneurs who, as products of an apparently disparate education, have formed a habit of mind that enables them to connect ideas that might otherwise have gone unconnected.”

Happy Friday.

Must-reads―in our opinion― from this week’s education news.

Coal Curriculum Called Unfit for 4^th Graders, The New York Times

In this week’s textbook scandal, the American Coal Company-funded Scholastic Textbook Series give children a one-sided view of coal. Who’s surprised?

Outlines of ESEA’s Future Emerging on Capitol Hill, Education Week

Not everyone’s happy. Again, who’s surprised?

Some in DC worry if rigorous charter school could meet students’ needs, The Washington Post

A new charter school offers a rigorous, no-frills approach to education. There are plenty of skeptics.

Is America’s best high school soft on math? The Washington Post

Its best math teacher says it is.

What does Bloom’s Taxonomy really say? Linking and Thinking on Education

“[W]hat’s clear here is that the Taxonomy does NOT encourage teachers to stop emphasizing knowledge.”

The Triumph of a Language Nerd, The Economist’s “More Intelligent Life”

It’s a listen, not a read. But some wonderful thoughts on learning a foreign language.

Happy Friday

Must-reads―in our opinion― from this week’s education news.

Failing Grades on Civics Exam Called a “Crisis”, The New York Times

Not much has changed; US students still don’t know much about civics.

White House Panel Calls for “Reinvesting” in Arts Education, Education Week’s “Curriculum Matters”

The White House is calling for better arts education, but is arts integration the way to go?

Two More States Weighing Moves to Undo the Common Core, Education Week’s “Curriculum Matters”

Is the CCSS initiative unraveling?

The Outrage of the Week, Education Week’s “Bridging Differences”

“It’s way past time to get mad.” Diane joins the growing backlash to the Gates-Pearson curriculum deal.

Slow off the Mark, Center for American Progress

“The math and science competency of elementary school teachers is clearly a blind spot in our country’s STEM policy.” Understatement of the week?

Happy Friday.