Category Archives: Curriculum standards
Since the purpose of this blog is to promote debate over educational issues, I’m especially pleased to post what may be the most intelligent debate I’ve seen between a proponent and critic of the common core standards. The central question that both interlocutors … Continue reading
Merry Christmas, everyone. I’ve finally got most of my leftovers simmering in soup pots, so it’s back to blogging. I’ve written before about Utah’s decision to withdraw from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium – a decision driven mostly by growing … Continue reading
While most states are still gearing up to implement the common core math and language arts standards, “Kentucky is the first state to tie its tests to the new national Common Core standards in English and math.” http://www.pewstates.org/projects/stateline/headlines/states-nervous-about-new-common-core-school-standards-85899435839 And the … Continue reading
I’m back in Utah at last, after a semester in New York City, a too-short beach vacation, and a road trip across the country with my two dogs. Sorry about the radio silence. The common core language arts standards have … Continue reading
Well, I ate far too much pie and sat stalled in traffic far too long waiting to get back into New York City via the Holland Tunnel. Happy belated Thanksgiving to my blog readers! Now that I have Internet access … Continue reading
I seem to have touched a raw nerve with my posts about (government-approved) lower educational standards for minority kids. Is it possible that the common core standards will similarly lower the bar, this time for math performance? Common core critics … Continue reading
A few of the comments on this blog have hinted that I’m trying to spearhead either a libertarian or a right-wing educational crusade. Nope. When it comes to reforming education, I fall more into the “we’re all right and we’re … Continue reading
Several readers sent me copies of a recent article in City Journal, entitled “The Massachusetts Exception.” They wanted me to share the article’s central conclusion (see especially the portion of the quotation in bold): It’s common knowledge that in 1983, … Continue reading
Supporters of the common core expressed dismay when education scholar and activist Diane Ravitch reserved judgment on the common core standards. A long time supporter of stronger, more specific core requirements, Ms. Ravitch explains on her education blog: I have … Continue reading
While I’ve acknowledged mixed feelings about the common core math and language arts standards themselves, I think the process for adopting these standards stank. Neither teachers nor parents had much time to review these major changes to education policy before … Continue reading