Education Week: Majoring in Math Not Always a Classroom Plus

Education Week: Majoring in Math Not Always a Classroom Plus

Lame Duck Commissioner Acts

New Jersey's lame duck education commissioner, Lucille Davy, released the following statement this week:

In May 2010, all students enrolled in an Algebra I course will take the Algebra I End of Course (EOC) Assessment. This administration will act as a formative assessment in preparation for the spring 2011 administration when passing the Algebra I EOC will be a graduation requirement. We have examined the results of the May, 2009 administration and are very concerned about the performance of the students on this assessment.

Thus she has single handedly confused the entire NJ mathematics education community and the students of NJ as on one hand she has committed the state to the Achieve Benchmarks and the Algebra I exam and on the other hand she has committed to the Common Core Standards. Thus, schools will have to change curricula now to meet the first and then change again later to meet the second.

Race to the Top

With the Race to the Top (federal education stimulus money) about to begin. It is interesting to see the huge contrast between Pennsylvania (who will compete for the funds) and New Jersey (who needs to read it). Quotes (Philadelphia Inquirer - Nov 13th) from each top education official are below.

Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak said he welcomed the competition.

The availability of Race to the Top funds presents a tremendous opportunity for all Pennsylvania's schools to build on our academic gains, and we are poised to compete vigorously for these funds," Zahorchak said in a statement. Zahorchak said Pennsylvania was on track to be "one of the first" states to apply for Race to the Top money, he said. The deadline for the first round of applications is in January.

In contrast, New Jersey Education Secretary Lucille Davy said her department had just received the 200-page application and wanted to review it before commenting.

Education Week: Funding for Common Assessments Poses Challenge

Education Week: Funding for Common Assessments Poses Challenge

K-12 common core writers

The K-12 common core standards writing group has been released.

Click here to see the list

Education Week: Will Science and Engineering Now Be a Good Career?

Education Week: Will Science and Engineering Now Be a Good Career?

Great article that refutes the false rhetoric that America's K-12 and colleges have a shortage of scientists and engineers

Education Week: States Slow Standards Work Amid 'Common Core' Push

Education Week: States Slow Standards Work Amid 'Common Core' Push

Draft K-12 Standards Expected by Mid-December

Draft K-12 Standards Expected by Mid-December

Those of you who've been wondering when the next round of common, multistate standards would appear may want to clear some time in mid-December. That's when the first draft of K-12 standards are likely to be unveiled, says one of the officials leading that process.

Education Week: When Teachers Are the Experts

Education Week: When Teachers Are the Experts