U.S. Department of Education Releases First-Ever State-by-State Graduation Rates
As reported in the Huffington Post, the U.S. Department of Education released “state-by-state four-year high school graduation rates” using a new, more rigorous measurement formula that is being used by all states to calculate graduation rates – allowing for cross-state comparisons. The new measurement formula is viewed as superior to previous “flawed” formulas and reports Iowa, Wisconsin, and Vermont with the highest graduation rates.
Read More →The Federal Government Should Support State-Led Education Efforts
In the New York Times’ Room for Debate article, “National, but Not Federal,” former Governor Jeb Bush reaffirms the roles of states and the federal government in the development and implementation of Common Core State Standards. “The development and implementation of Common Core State Standards is an example of state and federal levels of government acting within their proper role. After developing them, states are taking the lead to determine how the standards are to be met and to administer tests. Along with school superintendents, principals and teachers, they will make decisions on curriculum. Washington offers incentives for the implementation.”
Read More →Successful Common Core Implementation Starts with Teacher Collaboration
In a new Education Week commentary by Vicki Phillips, director of education, College Ready at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Robert L. Hughes, president of New Visions for Public Schools, the authors discuss the critical and “essential” role that teachers play to successfully implement the Common Core State Standards and new ways to foster greater teacher collaboration
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