- In a decision that has not gotten nearly enough press, a Michigan Court has ruled that “the state has no constitutional requirement to ensure schoolchildren actually learn fundamental skills such as reading — but rather is obligated only to establish and finance a public education system, regardless of quality.” It is important to note that while some states’ constitutions specifically mention providing a quality education, many, including New York, do not.
- The Daily Beast published an excellent piece by Zepher Teachout, comparing the corporate influence in public education to real life Hunger Games
- Here’s a scholarly article that questions some of the central claims of the Common Core ELA Standards.
- Also on the Common Core, here is a post from Diane Ravitch, digging into the truth about who wrote the CCCLS.
- Also from Diane Ravitch – An independent, non-partisan, and EXPERT perspective on why the current system of basing teacher evaluations on test scores is complete nonsense.
- It’s a common refrain to hear how schools should be run like businesses. Usually, though, this is said by people who either don’t understand education or business (or both). Here’s an article highlighting this fact by comparing the current education reform movement to the business approach championed by W. Edwards Demming, who is credited with reviving the Japanese economy as well as having a tremendous impact on American manufacturing.