Posts by Natalie Wexler — Contributor
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Maryland test scores drop. Is the Common Core responsible?
Test scores in Maryland have dropped, apparently because instruction is now based on the new Common Core standards while the tests are still tied to the old curriculum. But would the results have been any better if the tests had been aligned to the new standards? Standardized test scores for elementary and middle-school students in almost every Maryland county dropped this past… Keep reading…
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Charter schools’ financial health is improving
DC’s public charter schools are in better financial shape than in the past, according to a new study. That should mean fewer school closings and less disruption for students and parents. The report, which surveyed the health of all charter schools in DC for the 2012 fiscal year, says that the median charter school now has enough cash on hand to continue operating for 59 days. Keep reading…
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Defeated teachers union president challenges election results
Nathan Saunders, president of the Washington Teachers Union, has challenged a recent vote that led to his defeat by challenger Elizabeth Davis, throwing the election results into doubt. While Saunders hopes for a new round of voting, it’s unclear whether one will happen. The election may imperil a tentative contract agreement between Saunders and DC Schools Chancellor… Keep reading…
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Residency programs make teachers effective from the start
It’s hard for new teachers to get the practical skills they need, whether through traditional schools of education or more recent alternative routes to teacher certification. A new model trains teachers like doctors, giving them hands-on, supervised classroom experience. For decades, there have been complaints that schools of education have low admissions standards,… Keep reading…
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School culture is crucial to charter schools’ success
A recent study shows that DC charter schools, on average, outperform DC Public Schools. Why? One reason may be that they’re better at creating a “school culture.” A well-respected study of charter school outcomes released last month concluded that DC charter schools do a far better job educating students than traditional public schools. As the Post noted… Keep reading…
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New DC teachers union president promises more pushback
The Washington Teachers Union has just ousted its incumbent and replaced him with a new president who promises a more militant stance. What does this mean for the future of education in DC? In a run-off election on July 1, the WTU membership elected veteran teacher Elizabeth Davis to replace Nathan Saunders as president. As Emma Brown reported in the Washington Post, the election… Keep reading…
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DCPS will split out those repeating 9th grade
DCPS will start separating first-time 9th-graders from students repeating 9th grade this fall, in all neighborhood high schools, and assigning some repeaters to “twilight academies.” High school students who are on track will clearly benefit, but it’s less clear what this will mean for those who are held back. For many DCPS students, 9th grade is a make-or-break… Keep reading…
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DCPS goes whole hog to implement the Common Core
An in-depth series in Education Week highlights one DCPS school’s struggle to implement the new Common Core State Standards. While it’s clear everyone is trying hard, the report raises some troubling questions. The four-part examination, reflecting months of reporting, provides a fascinating look at the challenges of implementing the rigorous instructional… Keep reading…
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DC schools are trying out a Common Core-aligned test
Critics predict that the introduction of the Common Core State Standards will engender a host of problems. This week, a tryout of one of the Common Core-aligned tests in 25 DC schools may provide a glimpse of things to come. The Common Core, which has been adopted by 45 states and DC, promises to shake up the way American children are educated, placing more emphasis on analytical… Keep reading…
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Teachers collaborate with the help of technology
Planning a high-quality lesson can be one of the most challenging tasks a teacher faces. Now a DC-based company called LearnZillion is using technology to help teachers share their best ideas with each other as well as with parents and students. When Eric Westendorf was a teacher at E.L. Haynes, a highly ranked DC public charter school, he realized that “teachers, no matter… Keep reading…