Three authors of books on education share their views on whether it is a good idea to combine the frequently warring philosophies of traditional vs. progressive education.

Washington Post

May 9, 2006

Test Scores Move Little in Math, Reading

Lois Romano, Washington Post

October 20, 2005

Before 2005

Crash Course: The Tracking System

Dirk Olin, New York Times Magazine

September 28, 2003

4th Grade Readers Improve, but 12th Grade Scores Decline

Diana Jean Schemo, New York Times

June 19, 2003

Charities Pledge $19 Million to Jesuit Model Schools

Diana Jean Schemo, New York Times

May 21, 2003

Schools' Difficult Search For 'Just Right' Standards; Some Ask If It's Fair to Treat All Students Alike

Kate Zernike, New York Times

June 17, 2001

Bush, Gore Stress Schools

Jonathan Weisman, Baltimore Sun

October 3, 2000

Students Show Few Gains in Reading Skills

Jodi Wilgoren, New York Times

September 6, 2000

National Study Examines Reasons Why Pupils Excel

Jodi Wilgoren, New York Times

July 26, 2000

Math Teachers Back Return Of Education in Basic Skills

Anemona Hartocollis, New York Times

April 13, 2000

The Nation; One Perverse Distinction New York Can't Claim

Joseph Berger, New York Times

June 25, 1995

Education Week

Scroll to:

2015–Present

How the Failure of the Common Core Looked from the Ground

Steve Peha shares insights from his on-site professional-development work about why the common core failed, in a guest letter to Rick Hess.

Rick Hess Straight Up, May 19, 2021

Common Core is a Meal Kit, Not a Nothingburger

Caroline Damon argues Rick Hess and Tom Loveless sold the common core short, claiming the issue was a matter of high-quality implementation.

Rick Hess Straight Up, May 13, 2021

After All That Commotion, Was the Common Core a Big Nothingburger?

The Common Core State Standards may not have had an impact on student outcomes, but they did make school improvement tougher and more ideological.

Rick Hess Straight Up, April 26, 2021

How New Common Core Research Connects to Biden’s Plan for Children and Families

A study of national test scores indicate the early phase of the Common Core State Standards did not help disadvantaged students.

Andrew Ujifusa, April 29, 2021

Parent Who Criticized His Son's Math Program Is Sued By Curriculum Company

In a surprising move, MVP Math is suing a Wake County, N.C., parent who has pushed the district to stop using the curriculum.

Sarah Schwartz, September 10, 2019

Bush-Obama School Reform: Lessons Learned (Opinion)

Yesterday at AEI, along with my friend and colleague Mike McShane, I hosted a conference on "Bush-Obama School Reform: Lessons Learned." After spending a day noodling on the subject, I thought I'd share a few takeaways.

Rick Hess, January 17, 2018

Exchange Students View U.S. Schools as 'Easier' Than Those Abroad

According to new survey results, not much has changed over the last 15 years in how foreign exchange students perceive U.S. high schools.

Liana Loewus, March 22, 2017

What Does 'Proficient' on the NAEP Test Really Mean?

A Twitter spat illustrates how complicated it can be to determine what scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress really say about student learning.

Liana Loewus, June 15, 2016

Girls Edge Out Boys on National Technology Assessment

Only 43 percent of 8th graders reached proficiency on the first NAEP in technology and engineering, but girls had a slight edge over boys.

Jaclyn Zubrzycki, May 31, 2016

What's the Research Role of the NAEP's Long-Term Trends?

The postponement of the National Assessment of Education Progress trend study has raised red flags for some researchers looking for a constant student learning measure in an era of changing assessments.

Sarah D. Sparks, May 26, 2016

Debate Flares Anew Over Pause for NAEP Long-Term Trend Assessment

The NAEP long-term trend assessments in reading and math won't be given again until 2024, which means there will be a 12-year gap in what had been a particularly constant set of data.

Jaclyn Zubrzycki, May 24, 2016

Common Core's 'Algebra Delay' Causes Ongoing Concerns

Under the common core, parents and middle school students are being asked to delay algebra until high school. But that's because Algebra I is not the course it used to be.

Liana Loewus, April 11, 2016

Accelerated Courses in 8th Grade Math Boost AP Scores Later, Study Finds

The correlation of higher AP performance with the practice of tracking raises difficult questions for educators who want to build a preparation pipeline in middle school.

Catherine Gewertz, March 24, 2016

Is Common Core's Effect on Achievement Fading?

The common core's impact on student achievement in states may have peaked early and now appears to be tapering off, argues a new analysis of NAEP scores.

Liana Loewus, March 24, 2016

Why the Common Core Will Be Declared a Failure (Opinion)

Claims that the Common Core State Standards have failed to improve academic performance in U.S. schools overlook the fact that standards are just one component of a high-performing education system.

Marc Tucker, March 3, 2016

Donald Trump Says We Spend a Ton for Bad Test Scores. Let's Check the Numbers.

"Common Core is out! Second Amendment is in!" Trump also told the crowd at a rally in Tulsa, Okla., on Wednesday.

Andrew Ujifusa, January 21, 2016

The New Education Philanthropy (Opinion)

On Tuesday, Harvard Education Press published The New Education Philanthropy. Hopefully it will make its own modest contribution to smarter reflection, criticism, and giving.

Rick Hess, December 3, 2015

Fiction No Longer Dominating Reading Instruction, NAEP Analysis Shows

A researcher says there's evidence that the common core has affected 4th and 8th graders in at least one measurable way: It's got them reading more nonfiction.

Liana Loewus, November 25, 2015

Drop in U.S. Math, Reading Scores Prompts Blame Game

A variety of culprits are being cited as the cause of a sudden drop in NAEP scores, but experts recommend caution.

Liana Loewus, October 30, 2015

A Homework Study Makes Waves, But Researchers Question Findings

A voluntary survey finds that younger grades have more homework than recommended while older grades don't have enough, but the study has come under major scrutiny.

Maggie DeBlasis, August 27, 2015

Should 'Regrouping' Be Taught Earlier Under Common-Core Math Standards?

The Common Core State Standards teach students the algorithm for multi-digit addition and subtraction in 4th grade. But some experts say it should be taught sooner.

Liana Loewus, July 10, 2015

Common-Core Algebra Seen as Tougher

Some say the changes could complicate efforts around the country to put 8th graders in Algebra 1—a still-debated trend that's grown over the past two decades.

Liana Loewus, June 2, 2015

Best of the Blogs

March 31, 2015

Study Questions Link Between Engagement, Achievement—Or Does It?

Countries noted for superior performance on international academic tests also rank below the United States on student engagement, an analysis finds. Does this mean engagement isn't so important?

Evie Blad, March 26, 2015

What You Might Not Know About the Gender Gap in Reading

A new analysis peels back common wisdom about why boys may lag girls in reading achievement.

Sarah D. Sparks, March 26, 2015

Calif. Districts Seek $1 Billion to Fund Test Mandate

The formal push by four school districts to boost state funding for new standardized tests could muddy rollout of California’s common-core assessments.

Andrew Ujifusa, February 17, 2015

2010–2014

In Transition to Common Core, Some High Schools Turn to 'Integrated' Math

Long a staple of the high school curriculum, the mathematics-course sequence of Algebra 1, geometry, and Algebra 2 is facing a budding challenge as schools transition to the Common Core State Standards.

Madeline Will, November 10, 2014

Common Core Redoes the Math

Schools and teachers face complex challenges and competing demands as they work toward implementing the new math standards.

Liana Loewus, November 10, 2014

Does Increased Accountability Work? (Opinion)

A recent NY Times article suggests that increased accountability isn't helping to raise achievement or growth...something educators have been saying for many years.

Peter DeWitt, October 19, 2014

Benefits of 'Deeper Learning' Schools Highlighted in Studies

New research finds that students in schools that used deeper-learning teaching approaches had better test results and people skills than peers in other schools.

Holly Kurtz, September 30, 2014

Paul Thomas: The Problem Isn't Just Common Core, but the Entire Reform Agenda (Opinion)

A call for national standards is a political veneer, a tragic waste of time and energy that would be better spent addressing real needs in the lives of children

Anthony Cody, June 9, 2014

Can California Offer a New Model for Accountability? Or Are We Still Chasing Test Scores? (Opinion)

We who are opposed to "high stakes tests" are opposed not only to the most vicious uses of those tests, to close schools and fire teachers. We are opposed to the practice of making standardized tests central to the educational process in our schools.

Anthony Cody, June 7, 2014

For Education Writers, Common Core is Topic A

For the nation's K-12 education reporters, the debate over the Common Core State Standards took the spotlight at their annual conference.

Mark Walsh, May 20, 2014

NAEP Stagnation: Do Shifting Demographics Explain It?

What accounts for the stagnation in NAEP reading and math achievement over time? It's complicated.

Liana Loewus, May 12, 2014

State Political Rifts Sap Support for Common-Core Tests

Assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards are drawing fire at the state level, even as most states stick with the standards initiative.

Andrew Ujifusa, May 6, 2014

PISA's Problem-Solving Results Are Interesting, But That's It (Opinion)

Yesterday, PISA released its newest report on the results of a "first-of-its-kind" assessment that sought to measure "creative problem-solving skills" of 15-year-olds. U.S. students scored above average, thought they fared worse than ten of the "44 countries and economies" (now there's an awkward phrase). Thankfully, the exercise hasn't occasioned the same spasm of hyperventilation that greeted the release of PISA's math, science, and reading results a few months back.

Rick Hess, April 2, 2014

U.S. Students Are Not Overburdened by Homework, Study Says

There's little evidence to support parents' complaints that schools are dumping an unreasonable amount of homework on students, a new report from the Brookings Institution concludes.

Samantha Stainburn, March 18, 2014

On Shanghai Education: A View From the Streets (Opinion)

Is Shanghai a model of educational equity? We look at some historical and international perspectives along with those of ordinary citizens on the streets of Shanghai.

Anthony Jackson, January 25, 2014

Tom Loveless on Hukou in China (Opinion)

Marc Tucker explains that while China's policies regarding migrant students are problematic, these are slowly being changed. In the meantime, Shanghai's education system still has much to teach the rest of the world.

Marc Tucker, January 24, 2014

Response to the Brookings Institution Attack on PISA (Opinion)

Marc Tucker and Andreas Schleicher respond to charges from Tom Loveless that the PISA results for Shanghai are suspect.

Marc Tucker, December 26, 2013

Shanghai Responds to School Ranking Cheating Allegations (Opinion)

Shanghai's world-leading education system results from smart education reforms, not from cheating, writes Zhang Minxuan, Director of PISA Shanghai.

Anthony Jackson, December 21, 2013

Global Test Shows U.S. Stagnating

A fresh round of global test data shows students in more countries outperform U.S. 15-year-olds in math, reading, and science compared with 2009 results.

Liana Loewus, December 10, 2013

Is ASCD Embracing Market-Driven Education Reform? (Opinion)

Organizations like ASCD are being directly paid to "support implementation" of Common Core, which in effect converts them into advocates for the controversial standards.

Anthony Cody, December 5, 2013

7 Reasons I Don't Care About the PISA Results (Opinion)

Yesterday, the triennial PISA results were announced, prompting a paroxysm of spastic pontificating. Hands were wrung, familiar talking points were rehashed, and PISA Overlord Andreas Schleicher once again took the results as his cue to lecture American educators and policymakers on the wonders of common standards and the perniciousness of school choice. The funny thing is that all this gnashing of teeth is, quite literally, for nothing. There are at least seven reasons I don't give a fig about the PISA results.

Rick Hess, December 4, 2013

U.S. Achievement Stalls as Other Nations Make Gains

A fresh round of global test data shows students in more countries outperform U.S. 15-year-olds in math, reading, and science compared with 2009 results.

Liana Loewus, December 3, 2013

NAEP Scores Spark Debate on Toughening Teacher Accountability

Some have been quick to cite changes to teacher evaluation and tenure processes as explanation for the NAEP gains in Tennessee and D.C. But it's more complicated than that.

Liana Loewus, November 8, 2013

Study Weighs Cost Landscape Facing Common-Core Tests

A Brookings Institution analysis says the cost impact would be limited if only a few states dropped out of the groups developing tests aligned with the common core.

Catherine Gewertz, November 5, 2013

Most States Surpass Global Average in Math, Science

A study finds achievement in states such as Massachusetts and Vermont exceeds all but a handful of nations, while traditionally lower-performing states are much further back in the pack.

Catherine Gewertz, October 24, 2013

The Especially Deserving Poor (Opinion)

A good many of our policies and programs should be designed to help people with the drive, work ethic, tenacity, and motivation to rise. We should clear any obstacles in their path. We should empower them with opportunities. And, at all costs, we should avoid undercutting their efforts. In short, we should bring an ethos of meritocracy back to our anti-poverty efforts--the same ethos that still works relatively well at the top of our social structures and could work equally well at the bottom.

Mike Petrilli, October 10, 2013

Algebra 2: Not the Same Credential It Used to Be?

New research suggests the value of a course credit in Algebra 2 is declining.

Erik W. Robelen, September 4, 2013

Fla. Schools Chief Resigns Amid Grade-Change Controversy

Tony Bennett resigned Thursday following the revelation that, as Indiana's K-12 chief, he took steps to boost the state grade given to a charter school run by a political donor.

Andrew Ujifusa, August 1, 2013

Blacks, Hispanics See Long-Term Progress

The long-term trends report sheds light on test-score improvements for minorities and changes in the achievement gap.

July 10, 2013

Study: Middle School Algebra Push Yields Minimal Performance Gains

A new study finds that increasing enrollment in advanced math classes before high school hasn't led to higher math performance for states on the national assessment in the subject.

Sarah D. Sparks, March 26, 2013

More Teachers Group Students by Ability

After being condemned as discriminatory in the 1990s, grouping students by academic ability seems to be back in vogue with a new generation of teachers, according to an analysis of federal teacher data.

Sarah D. Sparks, March 26, 2013

'A-Plus' Countries Falter on International Math Study

Countries considered "A-plus" leaders in international math assessments have had mixed results in more recent studies.

Sarah D. Sparks, March 20, 2013

5 Largest States Rival or Lag Nation on NAEP Scores

Several showed gains in math and reading over roughly two decades, a new study says.

Andrew Ujifusa, February 26, 2013

5 Largest States Rival or Lag Nation on NAEP Results

Several of the nation's largest states showed gains in math and reading over roughly two decades, a new study says, though there's room to improve.

Andrew Ujifusa, February 21, 2013

On Global Exams, U.S. Comes Closer to Finland

While the two nations ran even in math, Finland maintained the lead in science and reading even though some U.S. states finished ahead.

January 8, 2013

International Tests Spark Questions on Finland's Standing

New assessment results suggest that Americans might not need to travel so far to learn about building a strong education system.

Erik W. Robelen, December 20, 2012

U.S. Math, Science Achievement Exceeds World Average

But American 4th and 8th graders are still in the shadow of peers in high-performing East Asian nations on the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study.

December 11, 2012

Choice and Markets: The Reprise (Opinion)

Marc Tucker argues that there is no evidence that charters, competition, and school choice will produce major improvements in student performance at the scale of a state, province or nation.

Marc Tucker, October 10, 2012

Opinion Finland's Secret Edu-Sauce: Pricey Booze, Plenty of Saunas, and the Dearth of Pantsless Ducks?

Just returned from three weeks spent traipsing around Scandinavia. Had a chance to meander Copenhagen, Bergen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, and such. Funniest discoveries: Norwegians are busy enthusiastically hosting a World Cup qualifier for scavenger hunting (they call it "orienteering"), the Danes celebrate Gay Pride weekend by astroturfing whole streets in Copenhagen and erecting beer stands at select intersections, and even an affluent guy can go broke buying cocktails in Oslo or Helsinki.

Rick Hess, September 6, 2012

Zhao on Entrepreneurship, the Common Core, and Bacon

Yong Zhao speaks to BookMarks about the new education paradigm that he proposes in World Class Leaders (Corwin, 2012).

Catherine A. Cardno, July 17, 2012

Letter to the Editor: Successful Training Needs Buy-In From Teachers

To the Editor:
I agree with Tom Loveless ("Does the Common Core Matter?," April 18, 2012) that the Common Core State Standards will not matter for the reasons he cites, especially as I review my own 50-plus years of experience with educational change initiatives.

May 15, 2012

Yong Zhao in Conversation: Education Should Liberate, Not Indoctrinate (Opinion)

Last week I shared this interview with Yong Zhao focused on the Common Core standards. Today I am sharing a conversation between Dr. Zhao and Yvonne Siu-Runyan.

Anthony Cody, May 10, 2012

Trend Three: Pulling the (Parent) Trigger (Opinion)

Note: Andrew Kelly, a research fellow at AEI, is guest-posting this week.

Andrew Kelly, April 27, 2012

Common-Standards Commentaries: Year in Review (Commentary)

Who weighed in on the common core in the past 12 months and what did they have to say? The Commentary editors take a look back.

April 23, 2012

Studies Question Value of Early Algebra Lessons

Researchers say middle school algebra classes may do more harm than good for students already struggling with math.

Sarah D. Sparks, April 20, 2012

Does the Common Core Matter? (Commentary)

Tom Loveless weighs in on the quality and rigor of the standards and whether they can make a dent in student achievement.

Tom Loveless, April 13, 2012

Letter to the Editor: Brookings Report Based On Flawed Research

To the Editor:
Tom Loveless' recent Brookings Institution report, "How Well Are American Students Learning?," described in a Feb. 16, 2012, Curriculum Matters blog post "Study: Common Standards Will Not Affect Student Achievement" and a Feb. 22 Report Roundup item, relies on flawed research by Andrew C. Porter et al. and ignores other pieces of evidence ("Common Standards.")

March 13, 2012

Common Core: Let's Talk About It (Opinion)
"The Common Core will have little to no effect on student achievement," Tom Loveless asserts in a recent Brookings Institution report. His argument revolves around the notion that rigorous standards alone will not increase student achievement.

Sarah Henchey, March 12, 2012

Data Show Retention Disparities

Black students were nearly three times as likely to be retained; Hispanic students were twice as likely as white students to repeat a grade, according to the latest federal survey.

Caralee J. Adams, Erik W. Robelen & Nirvi Shah, March 6, 2012

Civil Rights Data Show Retention Disparities

The latest Education Department survey shows stark racial and ethnic divides on who gets held back.

Caralee J. Adams, March 6, 2012

The Brown Center Report: When Will American Researchers Take on the Issues That Really Matter? (Opinion)

Marc Tucker responds to Tom Loveless' recent take on interpreting international test scores.

Marc Tucker, February 29, 2012

An Overlooked Benefit of Common Standards?

The Washington Post's Jay Mathews—initially a proponent of the Common Core State Standards—asserts in a recent blog post that Virginia is doing the right thing in refusing to adopt the new standards. Drawing on discussions with Brookings Institution scholar Tom Loveless, who recently put out a report on the topic, Mathews makes the case that the standards are but the "educational fashion of the moment" and "will fail," writing:

Liana Loewus, February 24, 2012

Another Prediction of Common-Standards Failure

Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews joins Brookings Institution scholar Tom Loveless in predicting the failure of the common-standards movement.

Catherine Gewertz, February 23, 2012

How the Brown Center Report Got it Wrong: No Relationship Between Academic Standards and Student Performance? (Opinion)

Marc Tucker reviews the latest report from the Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution

Marc Tucker, February 22, 2012

Report Roundup: Common Standards

A report argues that the Common Core State Standards may not improve student achievement.

Catherine Gewertz, February 21, 2012

Effect of Common Standards Debated

Bloggers lash back at a Brookings Institution report that predicts that common standards will have little effect on student achievement.

Catherine Gewertz, February 21, 2012

Kristof Shills, Loveless Scrutinizes (Opinion)

Last week offered a classic illustration of edu-hype, courtesy of the New York Times. Fortunately, it also featured a trifecta of that much rarer edu-commodity--tough-minded, skeptical scrutiny--courtesy of the Brookings Institution's Tom Loveless (a man who may be allergic to edu-faddism).

Rick Hess, February 21, 2012

Study: Common Standards Will Not Affect Student Achievement

A new study argues that common standards won't make much of a difference in student achievement.

Catherine Gewertz, February 16, 2012

Yardsticks Vary by Nation in Calling Education to Account

Assessment looms large even beyond the U.S., while other accountability measures also flourish.

January 9, 2012

U.S. Education Pressured by International Comparisons

Concern over U.S. students' middling test scores vies with caution about cultural and other factors that shape school improvement.

Sean Cavanagh, January 9, 2012

Science 'Proficiency' Wide Ranging Across States

A new report finds that in many cases, what a state has deemed a proficient score is equivalent to below "basic" on the science NAEP.

Erik W. Robelen, December 14, 2011

Why Achievement Gap Mania Isn't Cost-Free (Opinion)

As I noted yesterday, my National Affairs essay "Our Achievement Gap Mania" has stirred some conversation. Let's take a moment to address those who've asked, "Rick, why are you trying to stir up trouble? There are no losers here!"

Rick Hess, September 23, 2011

Study Finds Few Learning Gains from Gifted Services

Researchers find that students nearest the eligibility cut-offs for gifted services don't get much of a learning boost from gifted classes.

Sarah D. Sparks, July 13, 2011

State Consortium Scales Back Common-Assessment Design

Citing cost, among other factors, PARCC drops two of the four tests that would have been given to students throughout a school year.

Catherine Gewertz, July 12, 2011

State Consortium Scales Back Common-Test Design

Citing cost, among other factors, PARCC drops two of the four tests that would have been given to students throughout a school year.

Catherine Gewertz, July 7, 2011

Study Finds Few Learning Gains from Gifted Services

Researchers find that students nearest the eligibility cut-offs for gifted services don't get much of a learning boost from gifted classes.

Sarah D. Sparks, June 13, 2011

Andrew Kelly, Research Fellow, American Enterprise Institute (Opinion)

Most of the people on this list focus on elementary and secondary education reform. But when I think about how the next generation of education reform leaders are going to transform education, I can't help but think we're going to see them driving big changes in higher education, too.

Sara Mead, May 19, 2011

CEOs Highlight STEM Learning 'Vital Signs' in States

The new reports provide state-by-state data on STEM learning, and suggest that many states may have set the bar too low.

Erik W. Robelen, April 21, 2011

Report Aims to Debunk 'Myth' About Glory Days of U.S. Achievement

The study from the Brookings Institution says the United States has never been close to number one on international math tests.

Erik W. Robelen, February 7, 2011

Study Questions Fate of NAEP in Common-Test Era

The Brookings report found NAEP items were, on average, two to three years below the 8th grade math in the common-core standards.

January 18, 2011

Report Sees Disconnect Between NAEP, Common Standards

[Correction: This blog post should have said that the NAEP math items examined in the Brookings Institution study were, on average, two to three years below the 8th grade math recommended by the common-core standards. The algebra items were at about the 6th grade level. The items from the "numbers" strand were at about the 5th grade level.]

Erik W. Robelen, January 11, 2011

Full Standards System in States Several Years Away

A survey of states' plans to implement common standards and accompanying reforms shows that few will be fully realized before 2013.

Catherine Gewertz, January 6, 2011

RHSU Exclusive: RHSU's 2010 Edu-Scholar Public Presence Rankings (Opinion)

Today, RHSU unveils its first annual edu-scholar "Public Presence" rankings. The metrics, as I explained yesterday, seek to capture many of the various ways in which academics contribute to public discourse. Rick Hess, December 28, 2010

OECD Report Reveals International Gender Gap (Opinion)

Readers of this blog already know the literacy gender gaps are international, at least in industrialized Western countries. Others are about to find out from today's report on international academic achievement comparisons.

Richard Whitmire, December 7, 2010

Seniors' Reading and Math NAEP Scores on Rise

The latest administration of the assessment provides state-by-state results for 12th graders for the first time.

Catherine Gewertz, November 18, 2010

"[Dis]ableing the Race to the Top": Say What Now? (Opinion)

In a new Teachers College Record commentary, Penn State professors Kathleen M. Collins and Joseph Valente make an impressive contribution to the ranks of incomprehensible edu-babble.

Rick Hess, August 11, 2010

WaPo on the Gates Foundation (Opinion)

The Washington Post's Nick Anderson offers a terrific and balanced round up on where the Gates Foundation's K-12 giving stands today. In an article that avoids being either a puff piece or a hatchet job, Anderson offers a good, straightforward analysis of what the foundation is up to. He comes at it with an even-handed assessment while also providing an appropriately skeptical quote from my friend Tom Loveless, quotes Gates himself saying, "There's a risk that we might not succeed," and has the inevitable Diane Ravitch blast.

Rick Hess, July 13, 2010

Advocates Unite to Promote Standards' Adoption

Groups are working to communicate the importance of the standards, dispel inaccuracies, and highlight essential political messages.

Catherine Gewertz, June 7, 2010

Urban 8th Graders Make Reading Gains on NAEP

Still, 4th graders' scores remained flat, and students in big-city districts in both grades lag behind their peers nationwide.

May 20, 2010

Educational Attainment Rises Among All Americans

A study finds racial and ethnic groups became better educated over the past decade, but gaps remain for blacks and Hispanics.

May 14, 2010

Boys Trail Girls in Reading Across States

In reading proficiency, boys lag by at least 10 percentage points in some states, while girls have caught up in math, a study finds.

March 30, 2010

Little Progress Seen in Student Results on Reading NAEP

In the latest administration of the test, 8th graders gained 1 point, while 4th graders' scores were unchanged from 2007.

Catherine Gewertz, March 30, 2010

NAEP Reading Results Deemed Disappointing

In the latest administration of the test, 8th graders gained 1 point, while 4th graders’ scores were unchanged from 2007.

Catherine Gewertz, March 24, 2010

NAEP Reading Scores Out Today

NAEP scores in 4th grade and 8th grade reading are being released today.

Catherine Gewertz, March 24, 2010

Stagnating NAEP Math Scores Seen as No Surprise

A new analysis of NAEP scores is one study in a Brookings report that also examines questions on school turnarounds and charter schools.

Debra Viadero, March 17, 2010

Report Takes Second Look at Stalled NAEP Scores

The latest report from Brookings' Brown Center of Education puts stagnating NAEP scores in context, finds that few schools ever turn around, and compares conversion charter schools to those that start from scratch.

Debra Viadero, March 17, 2010

'Algebra-for-All' Push Found to Yield Poor Results

A trickle of studies suggest that in practice, getting students past the algebra hump is difficult and in some cases, didn't pay off.

Debra Viadero, February 9, 2010

What Is 'Excellence for All'? (Commentary)

Different kids have different needs, and schools need to pursue particular strategies for particular students, writes former high school history teacher Jack Schneider.

Jack Schneider, January 26, 2010

2005–2009

Researchers Offer Dueling Views on Tracking

A widely read study on academic tracking draws criticism and a new report offers advice on how to detrack schools.

Debra Viadero, December 17, 2009

Education Researchers in the Media

Former Institute of Education Sciences director Grover "Russ" Whitehurst reveals his stances on key education issues in a new Q&A and a Washington Post story tells us what one well-known researcher makes.

Debra Viadero, September 8, 2009

U.S. Lags in Spending on Young Children, Report Says

The United States could be doing more to secure the health of young children, a report says.

Sean Cavanagh, September 1, 2009

Friday Reading List: Better on Tuesday

I'm sure your Friday was spent sifting through the hundreds of comments submitted for the Race to the Top program. Now that you've digested those, check out these good reads:

Alyson Klein, September 1, 2009

A Closer Look at Achievement Gaps in Math

Last month I attended an event marking the 20th anniversary of the National Assessment Governing Board, the independent panel that oversees the NAEP. There were a lot of good presentations, but one in particular that I've been meaning to write about was given by Peggy Carr, the deputy commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics. Carr was speaking on a panel about achievement gaps between minority and white students. Her talk focused on what the NAEP, the nation's most prominent test of student academic skill, which her agency administers, tells us.

Sean Cavanagh, April 9, 2009

National Standards Gain Steam

Governors adopt policy looking to develop common academic goals.

David J. Hoff, March 2, 2009

PISA Called Inappropriate for U.S. Benchmarking

A new report contends that questions asked on test surveys reflect an ideological bias, which undermines its credibility.

Sean Cavanagh, February 26, 2009

Brookings Report Takes on the PISA

As state leaders and education advocates weigh evaluating U.S. students using international benchmarks, a new report argues that one prominent test, the PISA, is flawed and may not be appropriate for judging American schools on global standards.

Sean Cavanagh, February 26, 2009

President-Elect Gets School Policy Advice

While President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team works behind closed doors, education groups are openly trying to influence the next administration’s K-12 policies.

David J. Hoff, November 18, 2008

Gates' New Approach Gets Good Reviews

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is already getting feedback on its newly announced plans to retool its education grantmaking.

November 12, 2008

8th Grade Algebra Study: Another Look

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a story about a study that looked at the rising number of students taking algebra in 8th grade and made the argument that many of those middle schoolers are woefully unprepared for the challenge.

Sean Cavanagh, October 16, 2008

Top U.S. Education Research Officials to Step Down

The chiefs of the Institute of Education Sciences and the National Center for Education Statistics led the push to make school research a more evidence-based field.

Sean Cavanagh, October 10, 2008

Top Officials Stepping Down From U.S. Ed. Dept.'s Research Arm

Two of the federal government’s top education research officials are planning to leave their posts to take jobs at private Washington organizations where they will focus on school policy.

Sean Cavanagh, October 8, 2008

Low Performers Found Unready to Take Algebra

As state and school leaders across the country push for more students to take algebra in 8th grade, a new study argues that struggling students are being enrolled in that course despite being woefully unprepared.

Sean Cavanagh, September 22, 2008

Back from Vacation With Bits of News to Report

Contrary to my assertion that there was "nothing happening," I came back from vacation to find newsy tidbits in my inbox and on my RSS feed. None of them were better than a day at the beach, but they're worth listing here.

August 19, 2008

Experts Question Calif.’s Algebra Edict

Many educators and administrators, as well as some members of a national advisory group, wonder how the state will succeed in mandating that 8th graders be tested in Algebra 1, given students’ persistent struggles in that subject and the potential demand it will generate for more math teachers.

Sean Cavanagh, July 23, 2008

Report Says High Achievers' Scores Inch Up Under NCLB

A new study documents the steady improvement of low-achieving students (who are disproportionately African-American, Hispanic, or other minorities) in the NCLB era and the small gains made by high achievers (who are disproportionately white or Asian-American). The achievement gap between them is narrowing.

June 18, 2008

Top Students Said to Stagnate Under NCLB

A report finds that gains on national tests by high-achieving students lagged behind those of students at the low end of the spectrum.

Debra Viadero, June 18, 2008

Survey on Homework Reveals Acceptance, Despite Some Gripes

According to a new survey, 77 percent of students and more than 80 percent of teachers and parents say homework is important or very important.

Debra Viadero, February 15, 2008

The Gifted Express, Now Leaving on Track 1 (Commentary)

Stephen L. Gessner explains how the abandonment of ability grouping has been particularly harmful to highly able students.

Stephen L. Gessner, January 22, 2008

PISA Results Scoured for Secrets to Better Science Scores

The less publicized analyses in the report examine differences in how nations go about the business of schooling and pinpoint which of those practices are statistically linked to better performance on the science portion of the exam.

Debra Viadero, January 8, 2008

Teachers Seen as Making Difference in World's Top Schools

The world’s top-performing school systems and those coming up fast have a lesson to teach the others: Put high-quality teaching for every child at the heart of school improvement.

Bess Keller, November 1, 2007

The State of Math Standards

A panel of math education experts answered questions about the state of math standards around the country, and what's being done to increase rigor and raise student achievement in the subject.

July 25, 2007

Financing Test Scores

Here's a new take on performance pay: New York City is toying with the idea of paying students cash for scoring well on standardized tests.

Amanda Jones, June 12, 2007

Most Nations Seen Falling Short of NAEP ‘Proficiency’

Outside of a handful of Asian nations, the typical 8th grader in many foreign countries would not meet “proficient” levels on U.S. tests of mathematics and science.

Debra Viadero, May 1, 2007

Most Nations Fall Short of NAEP Proficiency, Analysis Finds

The typical 8th grader in many foreign countries would not meet “proficient” levels on U.S. tests of mathematics and science—then again, neither do most American students.

Debra Viadero, April 24, 2007

Fordham Math Grades Vs. NAEP Math Achievement (Opinion)

"The higher the Fordham score, the lower the NAEP score." You can see the spreadsheet here.

Alexander Russo, January 30, 2007

Democratic Congress to Step Up Department Oversight

Alyson Klein, December 19, 2006

Don't Worry, Be Happy -- But Competent Too

A few posts ago, Set Them Free, I basically said that students who are happier are more likely to work hard in school.

Kevin Bushweller, October 30, 2006

Study: Nations With ‘Happy’ Students Post Poorer Scores

A nation full of students who enjoy mathematics and feel confident in the subject is not necessarily a nation that scores high on international math tests, a report being released this week concludes.

Debra Viadero, October 17, 2006

Student Pressure Subject of Debate

As another school year begins, a new crop of highly publicized books depicts American students as overburdened with academic demands, many of questionable value. But some experts contend that such a portrait distorts the truth: Most students, they say, are not particularly challenged in school.

Catherine Gewertz, September 12, 2006

Administration Hopes to Begin Grant Cycle at Math Panel’s Midpoint

Members of a newly formed panel on mathematics are only beginning their work, but Bush administration officials are already signaling that they believe the advisory group could begin shaping federal policy very soon.

Sean Cavanagh, June 6, 2006

Some Worry About Potential Bias on the National Math Panel

Supporters of a new expert panel on mathematics are confident it will help identify national strategies for improving student learning in that subject—even as critics ask whether its members have the classroom teaching experience, and the objectivity, needed to accomplish that mission.

Sean Cavanagh, May 19, 2006

Bush Administration Names Members to Serve on National Mathematics Panel

President Bush has announced the membership of an expert panel charged with identifying the most promising and effective ways of teaching mathematics, a group that includes researchers and scholars with backgrounds ranging from classroom teaching to psychology and child development.

Sean Cavanagh, May 15, 2006

Scholars Outline Ways to Maximize Value of School Choice

From creating tradable “enrollment rights” to help integrate schools to providing parents with better school performance information, a new book that aims to stake out a middle ground in the debate over school choice offers ways to enhance the benefits while mitigating the risks.

February 7, 2006

Big Cities Credit Conceptual Math for Higher Scores

The two city districts that made the greatest strides in math on the latest national assessment relied on similar strategies: building students’ conceptual math skills and investing in professional development in that subject for elementary and middle school teachers.

Sean Cavanagh, January 10, 2006

South Posts Big Gains on Long-Term NAEP in Reading and Math

A generation of reform measures in the Southeastern states appears to be paying off in higher student achievement, as measured by “the nation’s report card.”

Kathleen Kennedy Manzo & Sean Cavanagh, July 26, 2005

9-Year-Olds Record Highest Scores Ever on Long-Term NAEP

The nation’s 9-year-olds have made considerable gains in reading and mathematics over the past five years, turning in the highest scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress long-term trend tests in those subjects since they were first given more than three decades ago.

Sean Cavanagh & Kathleen Kennedy Manzo, July 14, 2005

Researchers Ask Tough Questions of K-12 Charities

Private foundations can play a critical, catalytic role in changing American public education for the better, but they could and should be getting more bang for their bucks, according to a diverse collection of research papers commissioned for a conference this week.

Caroline Hendrie, April 26, 2005

Poor Math Scores on World Stage Trouble U.S.

To some education experts, the U.S. performance on two recent international exams reinforced their belief that American students suffer from an inability to perform complex reasoning and mathematical assignments.

Sean Cavanagh, January 4, 2005

2000–2004

Latest ‘Blue Ribbons’ Bestowed on Schools With Better Records

Four years ago, a hotly disputed study concluded that schools were being recognized under the popular federal Blue Ribbon Schools Program despite unimpressive academic records.

Sean Cavanagh, November 23, 2004

Study Finds NAEP Math Questions ‘Extraordinarily Easy’

The level of skill required to solve many of the math questions posed to 4th and 8th graders on the nation’s benchmark of academic progress is “extraordinarily easy,” asserts an analysis unveiled last week.

Sean Cavanagh, November 23, 2004

Math Programs Seen to Lack a Research Base

Most of the off-the-shelf mathematics programs used in middle schools across the country have little or no rigorous evidence attesting to their effectiveness, concludes a federal research review released last week.

Debra Viadero, November 23, 2004

Chat Transcript: Charter Schools: Policy and Practice

Andrew Rotherham, director of the Progressive Policy Institute's 21st Century Schools Project, and Michael Goldstein, founder and CEO of the MATCH Charter School in Boston, discuss the role of charter schools in today's education landscape.

November 18, 2004

Panelists Call for More Data to Evaluate Charter Schools

Better data are needed to answer critical and controversial questions about the nation’s experiment with charter schooling, researchers agreed at a forum here last week. But they didn’t see eye to eye on what studies have shown to date, or what are the most important topics that scholars should address in the future.

Caroline Hendrie, November 2, 2004

AFT Charter School Study Sparks Heated National Debate

A national report suggesting that charter school students lag behind their counterparts in regular public schools touched off a late-summer tempest among proponents and critics of charter schools. Includes the accompanying table, "Charter vs. Noncharter Performance."

Debra Viadero, October 2, 2004

Bush to Seek Accountability in High School

President Bush begins the crucial stretch of his bid for a second term with plans to build on the No Child Left Behind Act by expanding educational accountability in the high school grades.

Michelle R. Davis & Sean Cavanagh, September 22, 2004

Explainer: Reading

Determining the best means of teaching children to read is of particular concern, although there are several schools of thought.

Lisa Staresina, September 21, 2004

The ‘No Child’ Law’s Biggest Victims? An Answer That May Surprise

In their desperate rush to improve the performance of struggling students, most districts have forgotten or ignored their obligations to students who exceed standards, writes Margaret DeLacy.

Margaret Delacy, June 23, 2004

Brown Panel Draws Mixed Reviews

A year and a half ago, a federal commission began work to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing racial segregation in public schools. Now, as the May 17 date approaches, assessments of its accomplishments range from glowing to disappointing.

Catherine Gewertz, May 5, 2004

Letters

March 3, 2004

National Working Commission On Choice in K-12 Education

The panel, which worked with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates and Annie E. Casey foundations, examined how educational options could be constructed to influence positive outcomes in four basic areas:

November 19, 2003

Panel Says Choice's Benefits Worth Risks

Choice is here to stay—like it or not—so policymakers need to get smart about harnessing its power to further the goals of public education, says a report by the National Working Commission on Choice in K-12 Education.

Caroline Hendrie, November 19, 2003

Letters

November 19, 2003

Students in For-Profit Charter Schools Said to Make Gains

Charter schools managed by for-profit companies are raising student achievement faster than other charter schools, a report released last week concludes.

Olivia Doherty, October 29, 2003

Homework Not on Rise, Studies Find

Most American students spend less than an hour a day on homework, according to a pair of national studies presented last week, and that workload is no bigger than it was half a century ago.

Debra Viadero, October 8, 2003

Hand in Hand

Research shows that when schools pay attention to students' social and emotional development, children do better academically. Includes "Research and Resources."

Catherine Gewertz, September 3, 2003

Ed. Dept. Proposes $120 Million Math Agenda

The Department of Education wants to spend $120 million on research into mathematics education as the first step in its five-year effort to improve the quality of math and science instruction and raise student achievement in those subjects.

David J. Hoff, February 12, 2003

Letters

January 8, 2003

Letters

December 11, 2002

Bush to Push for Math and Science Upgrade

The Bush administration is preparing a campaign to highlight math and science education and improve the way schools teach the subjects.

David J. Hoff, November 20, 2002

New in Print: Bridging the Achievement Gap

November 20, 2002

Sports and Academics Can Go Hand in Hand, Brookings Study Finds

Challenging popular notions about the compatibility of athletics and academics, a new study finds that sports "powerhouse" schools do not sacrifice classroom achievement. Includes: "Report Highlights."

John Gehring, September 11, 2002

Paige, Bush Upbeat On Making ESEA Work

Top Department of Education officials offered a generally optimistic outlook last week on how the new federal education law is playing out in states and school districts.

Erik W. Robelen, September 11, 2002

New in Print: The Great Curriculum Debate

May 22, 2002

Research: Researching the Researchers

As policymakers and educators try to puzzle out the heap of reports and studies on education that cross their desks, some researchers are concerned about education research that may be colored by advocacy—and the difficulty that readers face in distinguishing it. Includes "Clued In: How to Look for Potential Biases."

Debra Viadero, February 20, 2002

Gen-Xers Apathetic About Union Label

Leaders of the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers are aiming to overhaul the way they do business in an attempt to make their institutions more meaningful to younger teachers. Includes "Minneapolis Labor Leaders Mold a Different Kind of Union."

Julie Blair, January 30, 2002

Group Cites Needy But High-Performing Schools

Poverty and race may still be two of the strongest predictors of a school's performance, but the results of a recent analysis are being used to argue that it doesn't have to be that way.

Jeff Archer, January 9, 2002

Some Schools Blend Afghan Relief Fund With Lessons

When President Bush called on America's youths to donate dollar bills for the children of Afghanistan, the teachers and students of C.W. Hill Elementary School sprang into action.

Darcia Harris Bowman, October 24, 2001

NAEP Board Considers Changes In Math Tests

The National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the only federal testing program, is proposing to change the guidelines that define the content on its mathematics exams.

David J. Hoff, October 3, 2001

Brookings Institution Creating School Choice Commission

The Brookings Institution, using a $1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is putting together what is designed to be an independent nonpartisan commission to study issues of school choice.

Lisa Fine, September 19, 2001

Foreign Teens Say Academics Given More Priority Back Home

Foreign-exchange students living in the United States believe American teenagers spend less time on schoolwork and care less about academics than do students in the visitors' home countries.

Mary Ann Zehr, September 12, 2001

Administration Eyes New Rules For Blue Ribbon Schools

The popular National Blue Ribbon Schools program run by the Department of Education will survive in its present form—but maybe for just another year.

Alan Richard, June 13, 2001

Clinton-Lazio Race Highlights School Issues

When Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the Mark Twain Center for the Gifted and Talented in New York City last month, she cast herself as a longtime education reformer who is well aware of—and prepared to fix—the problems of New York's public schools.

Joetta L. Sack, October 18, 2000

Effort To Recruit Math, Science Teachers Urged

The nation must launch an all-out effort to recruit and retain talented mathematics and science teachers on the same grand scale it did during the space race a generation ago, a federal panel declared last week.

David J. Hoff, October 4, 2000

Letters

October 4, 2000

Missed Opportunities

Armor-clad knights and imposing castles of medieval Europe have become an oasis of opportunity for middle school teachers struggling to capture the attention of students easily distracted by the lives that await them outside the classroom door. Rain forests, chocolate, and even trendy cartoon characters have also become prime topics for classroom projects and activities that weave together history, the arts, literature, and other subjects.

Kathleen Kennedy Manzo, October 4, 2000

Brookings Study Suggests Progress In Higher-Math Skills, Not Basics

Students have made slow but steady gains in math since the early 1970s, but their reading achievement has barely budged, says a report scheduled for release this week by the Brookings Institution.

Lynn Olson, September 6, 2000

Candidates' K-12 Policies Share Themes

Gov. George W. Bush of Texas and Vice President Al Gore are doing their utmost to impress the public with their plans for fixing America's schools. Includes a table, "Bush vs. Gore: The Candidates on Education, Issue by Issue."

Joetta L. Sack, September 6, 2000

Gore's Support of Charters Comes From Afar

On paper, both leading presidential candidates support increasing the number of charter schools, but Vice President Gore has given the appearance of trying to keep his distance on the issue.

Erik W. Robelen, June 14, 2000

Definition of 'Research' Raises Concerns

A strict definition of research inserted last month into a bill for the reauthorization of the major federal law on precollegiate education has raised strong objections from education researchers. Includes "Maryland Study Find Benefits in 'Integrated Instruction' Method," and "In Short."

Debra Viadero, May 24, 2000

Revised Mathematics Standards Provide More Guidance

Revised math standards released last week by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics show a greater emphasis on basic skills and content knowledge.

Ulrich Boser, April 19, 2000

Letters

April 12, 2000

Bush Leading Republicans In New Direction

Not the typical Republican presidential candidate, George W. Bush wants to create a brand-new federal reading program.

Erik W. Robelen, April 5, 2000

Campaign 2000: What the Candidates Should Be Talking About (Commentary)

Is the increasing involvement of the federal government in education benefiting local schools? The authors argue that existing federal education programs need fixing first, before launching new ones.

Tom Loveless & Diane Ravitch, March 22, 2000

Sound And Fury

Alfie Kohn and the schools our children deserve. Plus: A teacher moves to Watts.

March 1, 2000

Election Notebook

Poll: Education Tops List Of Voters' Concerns

February 23, 2000

Who Stands for What On Education?

Four years ago, Republicans vying for their party's presidential nomination were virtually unanimous in their position on the U.S. Department of Education: Get rid of it.

Erik W. Robelen, January 19, 2000

1993–1999

Books: The Tracking Wars

October 13, 1999

On the Wrong Track

Among education practices, tracking ranks in popularity somewhere between dunce caps and rapping knuckles. Though some parents and teachers still endorse certain forms of tracking, most experts believe it is harmful and outdated. The book on tracking, the critics contend, closed long ago.

January 1, 1999

Academics Square Off Over Unions' Role in Reform Effort

Teachers' unions are a popular topic for debate in political circles, but they rarely are subjected to scrutiny by academics.

October 7, 1998

On the Wrong Track?

Among education practices, tracking often ranks right up there with dunce caps and rapping students across the hand with wooden rulers.

Debra Viadero, September 23, 1998

Research on Tracking

Here are some of the major studies and books in recent years on tracking.

Continued, September 23, 1998

Letter to the Editor

February 4, 1998

The Tyranny of a National Curriculum (Commentary)

National testing and national curriculum are one and the same. In spite of U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley's assertion that it is possible to support national testing (which he does) and oppose national curriculum (which he also does), most educators agree that "what is tested is what will be taught."

Marc F. Bernstein, January 21, 1998

Fuzzy Math, Old Math, and Dewey (Commentary)

Increasing criticism is being directed at what was considered the Cadillac of curricular standards--those developed in 1989 by the highly respected National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Critics now apply pejorative labels like "fuzzy math" or "new new math" to this sensible effort to ratchet up expectations in mathematics classrooms.

Richard S. Prawat, December 10, 1997

Letter to the Editor

December 3, 1997

Letter to the Editor

November 19, 1997

Letter to the Editor

November 12, 1997

Letter to the Editor

November 5, 1997

The Second Great Math Rebellion (Commentary)

Few truisms exist in the politics of education, but you can usually count on two things. When reformers seize control of the policy agenda, whether at the local, state, or national level, they almost always go too far in jettisoning what they don't like and too far in embracing the new, unproven practices they favor. Not only is the baby thrown out with the bathwater, but the baby and the bathwater are frequently replaced by something bizarre.

Tom Loveless, October 15, 1997

The Politics of National Standards (Commentary)

As the American school's latest reform movement gathered momentum in the 1980's, the idea of national standards raised a noble hope, the belief that if we spotlighted the grandest peaks of knowledge in school subjects, teachers and students would strive to scale them.

Tom Loveless, October 6, 1993

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