California’s Common Core Apologia

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In a recent blog, Dr. Michael Kirst, past president of the California State Board of Education, attempts to defend his record of Common Core implementation during that period. But policy experts Ze’ev Wurman & Williamson Evers set the Golden State's record during Common Core straight.

Study Finds Historic Drop in National Reading and Math Scores Since Adoption of Common Core Curriculum Standards

New study shows that, breaking with decades of slow improvement, U.S. reading and math scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and other assessments have seen historic declines since most states implemented national Common Core English and math curriculum standards six years ago.

Joy Pullmann on the Fallout from Common Core

Joy Pullmann, executive editor of The Federalist, talks with The Learning Curve about the mediocre NAEP and PISA results, after a decade of the Common Core national education standards and the failed experiment with federal involvement in standards, curricula, and tests. They also discuss social emotional learning, parental involvement, and the media’s coverage of K-12 education policy issues.

This Week on “The Learning Curve”: Natalie Wexler on her new book, The Knowledge Gap

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Bob & Cara talk with Natalie Wexler, author of "The Knowledge Gap: The Hidden Cause of America’s Broken Education System–And How to Fix It," about the shift in K-12 education, even in the Common Core era, from an emphasis on academic content to empty skills and strategies.

Dimming the state’s literary light

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September marks Johnson’s 310th birthday. His A Dictionary of the English Language (1755) used 114,000 timeless quotations to help define 42,000 words, making it among the most famous dictionaries in human history.

How Massachusetts Showed the Way on Education Reform

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By Jamie Gass & Charles Chieppo Read this op-ed in The…

Study: After-School Programs Can Help Improve Flat or Declining Math Achievement

Philanthropic, other organizations should consider providing…

Study Finds Declining Student Achievement and Increased Harm to School Choice Since Common Core

Read coverage of this report in The Daily Caller, Breitbart News,…

Op-ed: Will DeVos avoid the Beltway education trap?

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By Jim Stergios and Charles Chieppo Read this op-ed online…

Study Finds Common Core Incompatible With Catholic Education

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Singular focus on workforce development conflicts with Catholic…

Op-ed: Poetry teaches more than rhyme

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Originally posted beginning on Apr. 23, 2016 in The MetroWest…

The Education Writers Association casts its narrowing gaze on Boston, May 1-3

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Many billions have been spent, and continue to be spent, promoting…

Fordham’s PARCC v. MCAS Report Falls Short

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Guest post by Richard P. Phelps The Fordham Institute has long…

West Virginia, Massachusetts and why the End Common Core ballot is going forward

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When it comes to the "confidence game" that has been played around…

Pioneer Statement on Next-Generation MCAS Announcement

We applaud the Baker administration for proposing that Massachusetts…

Fordham report predictable, conflicted

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Guest Post by Richard P. Phelps On November 17, the Massachusetts…

Study: Poor Performance of Other States in PARCC Consortium Would Translate to Lower Standards for Mass.

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Attacks on MCAS for not producing “college-ready” graduates…

What True Education Reform Leaders Think About MCAS & Charters

An op-ed in Tuesday's Boston Globe urges Massachusetts policymakers…

Testing the Tests: Why MCAS Is Better Than PARCC

Study:  MCAS Less Expensive, More Rigorous and Provides Better…

Statement on 2015 MCAS Results and Preliminary, Incomplete 2015 PARCC Results

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The release of 2015 MCAS results together with a patchwork of…

Op-ed: Big money pushes PARCC and Common Core

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Each year, much is written and said about K-12 education when…

How Massachusetts Promoted Achievement Before Common Core & PARCC

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Before the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education…

Pioneer Institute Statement on MBAE PARCC/MCAS Study

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Recently, the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE)…

Why Massachusetts Should Abandon the PARCC Tests & Common Core

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It is difficult to find any public analysis and comments by teachers,…