posted on
Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
When it comes to education, more spending does not always equal better results, says Robert Hanna, a senior policy analyst with the Center for American Progress, in a new paper. In fact, many “twin districts” — districts that are similar in size, the proportion of students who are from low-income families, and the proportion of students who have limited English proficiency — see similar achievement results despite different levels of spending and revenues. (Real Clear Policy)
Washington state can’t seem to catch a break these days when it comes to No Child Left Behind Act waivers. (Education Week)
The phrase “soft bigotry of low expectations” is inevitably associated with George W. Bush, who used it frequently. But whatever your politics, the idea has undeniable merit: If schools don’t expect much from their students, the students are not likely to accomplish much. (New York Times)
It says universities and colleges aren’t ready for new standards. (Hechinger Report)
Many people are intensely interested in how publicly funded charter schools affect children, and that includes not just their academic achievement but their health. (NPR)
New Jersey
Will Ras Baraka have to make nice to Christie and Booker to get his city much-needed funding? (NJ Spotlight)
New York
The tenacious New York parents who are challenging the state in court have one goal in mind: ensuring that all of our public school children have good teachers. They know that research confirms the single greatest in-school factor in a child’s academic success is a good teacher. They believe that the state’s guarantee of a sound education for all is absolutely dependent upon — you guessed it — good teachers. (NY Daily News)