For the most part, what states measure for school quality has already been decided by federal law under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Every state, for ex
Read MoreStandards
We Used to Be One of the Worst Schools in California. Not Anymore.
With high suspension rates, low achievement scores and ineffective teachers, Pacoima Elementary had the dishonor of being one of the worst schools in Calif
Read MoreHere’s What I Learned When I Sat Down for All the Standardized Tests My Students Take
Many people—not just students—cringe when they hear the word test because it triggers fear in some and anger in others. Educators know that tests are an im
Read MoreA Parent’s Guide to the Changes Coming to Florida Schools
Let’s just start with the bottom line: Florida lawmakers passed a big education bill Monday that is mostly good for kids: It protects recess for elementary
Read MoreSome Advice for Young Education Reformers
Conservative education policy writer Rick Hess has a new book out called “Letters to a Young Education Reformer.” He invited me to join one of two panels t
Read MoreI Was So Afraid to Hit Submit on My College Application Because That Meant Leaving Home
One of the hardest things I’ve had to do was to hit the submit button on my application to Spelman because that means leaving home. My mom raised my older
Read MoreOpting Out of a Third-Grade Test Is Bad But Passing Third-Graders Who Can’t Read Is Worse
If there’s one thing that everyone can agree on in the case of the opt-out moms versus the state of Florida, it’s that Michelle Rhea’s daughter can read ju
Read MoreI Do More Before 9 a.m. Than Most People All Day. I’m a KIPP College Counselor.
This post is part of a series of posts celebrating students who are making it to and through college with the support of the KIPP charter school network’s
Read MoreThe Hidden Costs of Our Tutoring Epidemic
There’s a tutoring epidemic. It goes beyond four-year-olds prepping to ace gifted and talented screenings, and teens cramming for the Specialized High Scho
Read More