This demands urgency: "18% of 8th graders and 13% of 4th graders failed to hit the lowest achievement threshold. The proportions of ultra-low-performers were, respectively, twice and three times higher than they were in 2011." www.the74million.org/article/four...

Four Insights into U.S. Students’ Drop in Math & Science on International Test

Tuesday’s release of TIMSS scores shows that American students fell behind their international peers during the pandemic.

the74million.org

🚨 New TIMSS results 🚨 US student performance PLUNGED on the latest international math test. Just shockingly bad. “We have countries leapfrogging over us,” Carr said.

What a get for The74! Excited for @phylliswjordan.bsky.social to continue contributing to important conversations in this new role!

Phyllis Jordan@phylliswjordan.bsky.social · 2y ago

I gave up full-time work before moving to California a few months ago. But I missed being part of the education eco-system. So I just signed on as a contributing editor at The 74, an education website I've written for and long admired. 1/2 www.the74million.org

Maybe this is a Boston ed news account now? A thoughtful and important op-ed about the downsides of de-tracking. "Classes may appear more diverse...we have seen firsthand that the students who need the most support are those least served by multilevel." www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/02/o...

In Newton, we tried an experiment in educational equity. It has failed. - The Boston Globe

“Multilevel classrooms” are not working for teachers or students, writes the head of Newton South High School’s Faculty Council.

bostonglobe.com

It's hard not to feel sad watching what's sure to unfold in MA, a model for a so long. "...<12 of the state’s 50 largest districts require all students to take and pass coursework that [makes them] eligible for admission to the state’s flagship public university." www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/02/m...

With no more MCAS requirement, graduation standards vary widely among state’s largest districts - The Boston Globe

Advocates say the range of graduation requirements creates inequitable opportunities for students.

bostonglobe.com

In need of motivation? Or looking to motivate others? I loved speaking with David Yeager about his recent book on motivating young people -- arguably, we can all benefit from a high-standards, high-support model. www.future-ed.org/qa-david-yea...

Q&A: David Yeager on the Science of Motivating Young People

In his new book, “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People,” David Yeager, Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a FutureEd research advisor…

future-ed.org

Though most states are seeing a slight recovery from the highs of 2022, chronic absence from school remains a troubling problem. "This fundamental thing has shifted and we can't quite get it back," says @lizcohen12.bsky.social. www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

To Coax Kids Back, Schools Have to Innovate

Educators say new attitudes toward daily attendance are resulting in alarmingly high absenteeism

wsj.com

Today, Virginia is launching a statewide tutoring effort to help students recover. @maureenkelleher.bsky.social tells us what it will take from the state, principals, and teachers to succeed: www.the74million.org/article/as-v...

COVID Learning Loss: Virginia Launching Statewide Tutoring Initiative This Week

Kelleher: Communication, a focus on student outcomes and in-person help over time are essential if initiative is to succeed for the highest-need kids.

the74million.org

I'd vote to ban cell phones in a lot places, but schools seem like a good place to start. Now there's pretty strong evidence that banning cell phones in schools improves student achievement, particularly for the lowest-achieving students. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Ill Communication: Technology, distraction & student performance

This paper investigates the impact of schools banning mobile phones on student test scores. By surveying schools in four English cities regarding thei…

sciencedirect.com

I don't know who needs to hear this, but if you ask question at an event or panel, please don't tell a story. Just ask the question.

I increasingly feel my education policy views make me sound crotchety (schools should teach more rigorous math; teachers should have higher grading standards; test scores have a role to play in college admissions; college tends to pay off). But I'd like to think it's evidence-based crotchetiness.

This is an impressive national move to ban cell phones in schools. Would love to see more consensus on this here in the US. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

Mobile phones are to be banned in schools

Gillian Keegan will order schools to outlaw smartphones during lessons, and also in breaks, in a bid to end disruption and make it easier for pupils to focus.

dailymail.co.uk

Important job opening in DC -- executive director of the school enrollment lottery. Help OSSE recruit a great leader for this post -- or maybe you are that leader! osse.dc.gov/page/executi...

Outcomes-based contracting in tutoring is so interesting, and has SO MUCH potential. This is a great piece about two districts I've also spoken with - what they're doing is some of the best stewarding of public funds I've seen. @the74 www.the74million.org/article/tuto...

Once a data lover, always a data lover. I kept seeing "new attendance data!" & then realizing the "new" data was from 2021-22. Some districts are improving (ABQ, Detroit) while others are getting worse (MCPS MD, Oakland). Need state data for full picture; lagging data hurt efforts.

FutureEd@futureedgu.bsky.social · 3y ago

States and districts know chronic absenteeism spiked in 2022. But lagging data for 2023 isn't helping them get kids back to school, notes @lizcohen12.bsky.social: www.future-ed.org/outdated-abs... #polisky #edusky

Hey, we're here! Future Ed offers policy analysis and insightful commentary on K-12 education. Follow us and take a look at how states and district can keep tutoring going after the ESSER money is gone, from @lizcohen12.bsky.social. www.future-ed.org/a-long-term-...

A Long-Term Strategy for Funding High-Quality Tutoring

With millions of students struggling academically in the wake of the pandemic and a raft of research pointing to high quality tutoring as an effective way to raise student achievement, it’s not surp...

future-ed.org

This feels like the 1st day of high school in a new place. I'm the policy director at FutureEd at Georgetown Univ McCourt School of Public Policy. Right now I'm particularly focused on tutoring, DC high schools, & chronic absenteeism. Generally interested in anything that's good for kids.