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Standards and testing: How is your child affected?

Tis' the season for testing for many students across the country. But what are these tests for? How are they useful? And most importantly, how do they affect what students learn? These are straightforward questions with no clear answers. To gain a better understanding check out The Nature of Assessments: A guide to standards and assessments and Key Lessons: High stakes testing and effects on instruction here and here.

The straight story on high school graduation rates

Now that graduation season is upon us do you know how many students are graduating high school? Do you know how your state calculates their graduation rates? Did you know that all graduation rates are not the same? If not, check out The Straight Story on High School Graduation Rates to find out how many students are graduating in your state and why some rates are different than other. Read more.

Report: States standards continue to improve

National teachers union finds that most states have improved their academic standards but more work is needed. Read more.

Why Public Education?

Public education in the United States means:

A tuition-free education for all students
The promise of equal educational opportunities no matter race, religion or ability
A commitment to high standards and high expectations for all students
A system of governance that ensures public accountability
A benefit to society by teaching democratic principles and common values

Por qué Educación Pública?

La educación pública en Estados Unidos significa:

Una educación gratuita para todos los estudiantes
Una promesa de oportunidades educativas iguales sin importar la raza, la religión o la habilidad.
Un compromiso con altos niveles y altas expectativas para todos los estudiantes.
Un sistema gobernante que asegura la responsabilidad pública.
Un beneficio a la sociedad que se da enseñando principios democráticos y valores comunes.