Monthly Archives: August 2009

Timely Material — “Accountability, Rigor, and Detracking: Achievement Effects of Embracing a Challenging Curriculum As a Universal Good for All Students”

posted with vodpod An article and video from the Teachers College Record on Detracking seem timely with the MMSD Board vote on a very slightly revised Talented and Gifted Education plan scheduled for Monday August 17 (public comment at 6:00 … Continue reading

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Filed under Accountability, Best Practices, education, Equity, Local News, Uncategorized

Sherman Dorn Asks THE QUESTION and Offers Some Answers

Longtime readers should know that Sherman Dorn is one of my favorite people in the edusphere. His  recent “How can we use bad measures in decisionmaking?” is a fine example of why I value his contributions so much. His titular … Continue reading

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Filed under Accountability, Arne Duncan, Best Practices, education, Local News, National News, nclb, No Child Left Behind, Uncategorized

Big News out of Milwaukee (Updated)

Governor Jim Doyle (or his reps) , Mayor Tom Barrett (or his reps), and others (maybe Arne Duncan’s reps) are holding secret meetings to hijack the MPS Innovation and Improvement Advisory Committee for a Mayoral Control proposal.  MPS Board President … Continue reading

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Filed under "education finance", Accountability, Arne Duncan, Budget, education, Elections, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, School Finance, Take Action

Following the Money — MMSD Budget Updates (part 1)

Clyde McPhatter & the Drifters-”Money Honey” (click to listen or download). Busy, busy time at the Madison Board of Education. At the Monday, August 10th meetings, in addition to the Talented and Gifted Program Plan, new limitations on the transportation … Continue reading

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Filed under "education finance", Best Practices, Budget, education, Local News, School Finance, Take Action, Uncategorized

MMSD “Gifted” Program Plan — No Thank You

The Madison Board of Education will be considering a “Talented and Gifted Program Plan” at their Monday, August 10, Student Achievement and Performance Monitoring Committee meeting. It is on the agenda as an action item for the August 17 regular … Continue reading

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Race to the Bottom? – Quote of the Day

Overall, our results consistently indicate that the increased focus on individual teacher performance caused a sizable and statistically significant decline in student achievement. This decline in achievement is also much more pronounced in the case of national exams with an … Continue reading

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Filed under Accountability, Arne Duncan, Best Practices, Contracts, education, Gimme Some Truth, National News, nclb, No Child Left Behind, Uncategorized