Colorado’s K-12 Testing Debate: What Should Stay and What Should Go?
If there is a single word that defines the 2015 K-12 education conversation in Colorado and the United States, that word is “testing.” While testing and evaluations help set critical floors for quality, smart reforms can lift students even higher.
1/29/15
Education Policy Center Newsletter January 29, 2015
In this issue
— School Choice Week Takes Off at State Capitol
— Center Wades into Great Testing Debate
— Scholarship Success Stories Told
— Has Jeffco Union’s Fight Started?
— Eddie Starts 2015 in Style
Little Eddie’s Wet Blanket: What Rise in Teacher ACT-SAT ScoresTells Us
Earlier this week, we talked about a National Council on Teacher Quality report on teacher pension systems. Today, we get to talk about an article from the Hechinger Report regarding the “quality” of teachers entering the teaching force as measured by scores on the SAT and ACT. The article highlights some new research that supposedly […]
After School Choice Week, How About Educate the Reporters Week?
Last Friday I was overflowing with enthusiasm at the kickoff of the 5th annual National School Choice Week. I got even more excited Monday morning for the big Denver celebration at our own State Capitol, where hundreds of school kids and others came to wear their yellow scarves, show their support. There was even some […]
Colorado Gets Bad Grade on NCTQ’s Latest Pension Report
We’ve been talking a lot about policy recently. ESEA reauthorization issues, the hazards of requiring state testing in private schools, and some number crunchin’ on the subject of Colorado’s school funding. Then last Friday, you had a nice break. We spoke instead about School Choice Week, which is sort of like Christmas for eduwatchers like […]
School Choice Week 2015 Has Officially Arrived
It’s Friday again, my friends. As usual, that means your favorite little edublogger has spent his day trying to wrap things up for the week. That leaves me limited time for our conversation (try not to look so disappointed!), so today’s post will be a quick one. Fortunately, we have something exciting to focus on […]
Survey Highlights Importance of Keeping State Tests off Private Schools
Though not so much this time of year, my Dad and I like to play catch in the backyard occasionally. It sounds kind of cliched, but my Dad starts talking about how he used to do the same thing with his dad. Then almost inevitably, he starts talking about this old movie called “Field of […]
Detective Eddie and the Case of the Missing ESEA SOTU Mention
As you may know, last night was the SOTU. I spent more time than one might expect attempting to convert that into a funny, education-related acronym, but had little success. For the record, I blame my failure on my age and innocent youth. Regardless, no joke for you today. But hey, maybe I don’t need […]
Colorado Looks Terrible at K-12 Spending (If You Fudge the Numbers)
Perhaps you’ve heard the famous expression: “If it bleeds, it leads.” The K-12 education policy version of that axiom recently played out in a recent Colorado Public Radio (CPR) story under the heading of “Colorado per-pupil spending lags US average even more, report says.” The report referenced comes from the Colorado School Finance Report (COSFP). […]
Ding Ding Ding! JCEA’s Round Two Battleflop
Not too long ago, John Ford of the Jefferson County Education Association told us that “the fight would start in January.” I wrote about his inspiring speech recently, but here’s the video in case you forgot: And if that weren’t enough to get this little guy scared, Complete Colorado broke the story that he’s been […]
Amy Oliver Show: Dougco Board Member Talks Testing Changes
Douglas County Board of Education director Craig Richardson discusses his vision for local innovation, and shares some insights regarding the testing debate unfolding at the State Capitol.
N’Orleans Research Highlights the Importance of Smart Choice Programs
There are days when I think I’ve found the single, universal answer to all of my five-year-old problems. Like the time I used chewing gum to stick a loose sole back to my shoe. When I figured the same approach would also help me hang a cool Spiderman posted on my bedroom wall, I got […]
