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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis:
New Analysis Bolsters Case Against Suspension, Researchers Say
The results of a new analysis of out-of-school-suspension data that show staggering rates of the punishment’s use at some schools are even more reason to rethink that common method of disciplining students, researchers said Monday. (Education Week – Rules for Engagement) http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rulesforengagement/2013/04/new_data_analysis_bolsters_case_against_suspension_researchers_say.html
New Jersey:
Newark school shows the world: Opinion
In Newark, we’re too often forced to grapple with the myth that our children can’t reach the same academic heights as children elsewhere. With so many families struggling economically and with a nationwide achievement gap that leaves low-income students at a gross disadvantage, general sentiment is that we simply can’t expect our students to overcome the statistics stacked against them. (NJ.com) http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2013/04/newark_school_shows_the_world.html
New York:
Fewer Students Get Top Scores on G&T Test
In a reversal of course, fewer students took the exams this year to get into the city’s popular gifted and talented classes and the number of students who earned top scores dropped precipitously. (School Book) http://www.schoolbook.org/2013/04/08/fewer-students-get-top-scores-on-gt-test
View Point:
Wendy Kopp: Computers can’t replace real teachers
Tech visionary Steve Jobs understood better than anyone the impulse to believe that technology can solve our most complex societal problems. “Unfortunately it just ain’t so,” he said. “We need to attack these things at the root, which is people and how much freedom we give people. … I wish it was as simple as giving it over to the computer.” (CNN) http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/08/opinion/kopp-kids-real-teachers/index.html?sr=sharebar_facebook
Jay Matthews: Hidden power of teacher awards
I used to think student test score gains were a good way to rate teachers. I don’t think that any more. Grading individual teachers with scores is too approximate, too erratic and too destructive of the team spirit that makes great schools. Rating schools, rather than teachers, by test score gains is better, at least until we find a way to measure deeper indicators of learning. (Washington Post – Class Struggle) http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/class-struggle/post/hidden-power-of-teacher-awards/2013/04/08/15b7afcc-9e66-11e2-9a79-eb5280c81c63_blog.html?wprss=rss_education
Chester E. Finn Jr.: Margaret Thatcher, Education Reformer
Foreign policy isn’t all that Margaret Thatcher and her team had in common with Ronald Reagan and his. The 1980s also saw much crossing of the Atlantic — in both directions — by their education advisers, too. Bill Bennett, for example, hosted U.K. education secretary Ken Baker on multiple occasions, and the Downing Street staff team, too. We reciprocated. (National Review) http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/345062/margaret-thatcher-education-reformer-chester-e-finn-jr