We’ve heard a lot recently about how Kansas students did on the most recent NAEP test, particularly the number of Kansas students scoring “proficient” but haven’t heard anyone acknowledge that the NAEP proficiency standard is actually set significantly above what is commonly understood as “proficient”. We have talked about this article from 2011 before but it bears repeating. “Oddly, NAEP’s definition of proficiency has little or nothing to do with proficiency as most people understand the term. NAEP experts think of NAEP’s standard as ‘aspirational.’ In 2001, two experts associated with NAEP’s National Assessment Governing Board (Mary Lynne...
Read more
Leave a Comment Blog
VC Super Gibson on connecting the dots
Valley Center Superintendent Cory Gibson describes legislative requests and asks readers to connect the dots. We see merit pay for teachers, school consolidation and cuts to athletic programs but no real work on a new funding formula as we “connect the dots”. We also see a lot of administrative effort being devoted to filling out surveys at a time when they’re supposed to be getting as many dollars to the classroom as possible. http://vcsupergibson.blogspot.com/2015/11/connecting-dots.html...
Read more
Leave a Comment Shortchanging at-risk youth costly
“Head Start and other high quality, early childhood programs give Kansas’ younger, more vulnerable children a solid foundation for health and learning. They’re a wise and necessary investment in the state’s future. “Yet Brownback, who tried to tout healthy families as the way to economic prosperity, actually saw childhood poverty worsen on his watch. “Kansas does need thoughtful, proven policies designed to help families escape the vicious cycle of poverty. The governor’s shortsighted approach, however, only will exact a more costly toll down the line.” Read more here: http://www.gctelegram.com/opinion/future-toll-shortchanging-at-risk-youngsters-won-t-help-kansas/article_6aee4f80-0795-5229-928b-53ac2b06ec28.html?hash=a8ff723e6aaaa89ef168cc8c64894640&site=garden_city70...
Read more
Leave a Comment How Jeffco parents beat Koch money to reclaim their district
“Jeffco was able to push back against political agendas and outside money because we came together as a community,” parent Kelly Johnson tells me. “Parents, grandparents, business owners, community leaders, students, teachers, Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters all came together to educate others and make sure they had factual information.” Read more here: http://www.salon.com/2015/11/15/we_kicked_the_koch_brothers_a_how_denver_parents_beat_back_big_money_charter_schools_right_wing_lies/...
Read more
Leave a Comment