From the Washington Policy Institute: https://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/reykdal-confronted-by-state-data-blames-partisanship-for-bad-results Pointing to stats from Washington Policy Center's Report Card for Washington's Future showing student spending is up per pupil from $13,775 to $19,163, while student test scores show decline with "about 60 percent not on track for college level learning in math and 50 percent when it comes to English", Q13 reporter Hana Kim asked OSPI chief Chris Reykdal, "What should districts be doing differently that maybe they haven't tried before, what is your guidance on this to maybe turn things around?" Reykdal's answer was to deny … [Read more...]
Opinion: Rising budgets, declining outcomes; Ridgefield’s educational paradox
This is Part 2 of a review of the Ridgefield School District published at Clark County Today on January 22nd Area resident Rob Anderson says Ridgefield School District’s ballooning budget has not led to better academic outcomes Rob Anderson for Clark County Today The first article took a closer look at Ridgefield School District’s two levy proposals: Proposition 12, an operational levy, and Proposition 13, labeled as a “Technology and Capital” levy. Proposition 12 requests a 41% increase in operational funding compared to 2022, amounting to $44 million annually. Proposition 13 seeks $21 million, primarily for capital projects, including a previously rejected proposal for a new … [Read more...]
The Public Education Complex Is Not on Our Side…It’s Time for Good People to Get Ugly
Kira Davis brings us a perspective today that may ring a bell with some parents. Give it a read and share your thoughts. I have been a school choice advocate and activist for nearly 20 years. I have long been of the opinion that the best way to push forward with school choice advocacy was to build bridges, educate people on the process, support legislation, stay away from heated rhetoric that turns away potential allies from other parts of the political spectrum, and never, ever, ever get unpleasant with your opponents. Well, I’ve changed my mind. It’s time to get unpleasant. Hell, it’s time to get downright ornery. On Thursday The New York Post reported that the National … [Read more...]
Are Tutor Computers The Future of Algebra and Grammar Lessons?
You may have read some of our articles speculating about future computer teachers, wearable devices and more. Today we bring you an article published at Technology Networks based on the original story at Carnegie Mellon. Give it a read and share. Look at some of our other articles: https://swweducation.org?cat=947 Intelligent tutoring systems have been shown to be effective in helping to teach certain subjects, such as algebra or grammar, but creating these computerized systems is difficult and laborious. Now, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have shown they can rapidly build them by, in effect, teaching the computer to teach. Using a new method that employs … [Read more...]
The Science Of The Common Core: Experts Weigh In On Its Developmental Appropriateness
From Forbes ......................... Last April, comedian Louis CK fired a round of disparaging tweets about his kids’ experience in a New York City public school. His particular gripe was with the Common Core standards that have been voluntarily adopted by 45 states. Among his tweets: “My kids used to love math. Now it makes them cry. Thanks standardized testing and common core!” and “It’s this massive stressball that hangs over the whole school. The kids teachers trying to adapt to these badly written notions.” His commentary got a lot of support from other frustrated parents around the country. Of course, it received some mixed reviews from the media and educators. Some weren’t … [Read more...]