Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Common Core

Town Hall

Tennessee
March 19, 2018

Hopson promises more flexibility as Memphis school leaders clear the air with teachers on new curriculum

Though he didn't have specifics, Superintendent Dorsey Hopson said teachers should not feel like they need to read from a script to meet district requirements.

Set up to fail

Detroit
March 8, 2018

The Detroit school district has been using a curriculum that’s ‘an injustice to the children of Detroit’ — but it’s not alone.

Experts say that Detroit is among hundreds — possibly thousands — of districts across the country that are using textbooks and educational materials that are not aligned to state standards.

curriculum conundrum

National
February 6, 2018

With new focus on curriculum, Gates Foundation wades into tricky territory

The Gates Foundation has a new plan intended to help public schools: improve the materials that teachers use to teach. But that may run into some challenges.

Next Generation

Colorado
January 26, 2018

Colorado students would have to do science to learn it under new standards

A standards review committee has recommended Colorado adopt a modified version of Next Generation Science Standards. That could mean a big change in the classroom.

First Person

National
January 17, 2018

This Betsy DeVos-inspired Twitter thread recounts the ups and downs (but mostly ups) of one school’s Common Core shift

A former New York City teacher says the standards prompted anything but a disaster at his school.

a closer look

National
January 16, 2018

Fact-check: Weighing 7 claims from Betsy DeVos’s latest speech, from Common Core to PISA scores

Fact-checking seven claims that DeVos made during a recent speech.

DeVos on offense

National
January 16, 2018

DeVos criticizes Bush-Obama policies, saying it’s time to overhaul conventional schooling

One era of federal involvement in education is over, Betsy DeVos said Tuesday, in some of her most expansive public remarks since taking over the department last year.

State Report Card

Tennessee
January 10, 2018

New in Tennessee: one-stop shopping for the latest school data

Tennessee releases its new State Report Card online, complete with TNReady scores from the first year of completed testing for all grades.

broken promise?

National
November 14, 2017

Common Core tests were supposed to usher in a new era of comparing America’s schools. What happened?

It's difficult to make detailed comparisons across states as a potent mix of technical challenges, privacy concerns and political calculations have kept the data siloed.

Finally

Tennessee
October 3, 2017

After a two-year gap, Tennessee is about to release test scores for grade-schoolers. Here’s what to expect.

A significant void in test score data will start to be filled with this week's release of statewide TNReady scores for grades 3-8.

Meet the new standards

New York
September 11, 2017

‘Common Core’ no more: New York moves to adopt revised standards with new name

The state Board of Regents voted in committee Monday to replace the Common Core standards with the "Next Generation Learning Standards."

Common sense

National
August 2, 2017

An unexpected effect of the Common Core: facilitating Jared Kushner’s political awakening

Kushner said hearing criticism of the Common Core on the campaign trail made him "explore my positions."

year two

Tennessee
July 27, 2017

Tennessee high schoolers post higher test scores, but some subjects remain a struggle

The increases were modest on average, but sharp for some of the students who have historically struggled most.

previewing TNReady

Tennessee
July 26, 2017

Why Tennessee’s high school test scores, out this week, matter more — and less — than usual

The statewide scores will kick off the second year of results for TNReady, the state's standardized test.

Training time

Tennessee
June 26, 2017

Common Core is out. Tennessee Academic Standards are in. Here’s how teachers are prepping for the change.

About 6,000 teachers get a two-day crash course on changes in math and English language arts standards that will reach Tennessee classrooms this fall.

Setting Standards

Colorado
June 9, 2017

Colorado is re-examining its academic standards. Will it avoid the political turmoil seen in other states?

Colorado’s standards update, which is required by state law, opens up the possibility of another round of public debate on the value of the academic standards.

Testing Time

Tennessee
May 9, 2017

TNReady took almost twice as long as Tennessee tests in 2012. Here’s why.

Elementary and middle school students took about eight hours of end-of-year tests this year, an amount consistent with national trends toward longer tests.

I [heart] NY

New York
May 9, 2017

New York state gives Common Core a makeover — and a new name

The state's learning standards will be renamed the Next Generation English Language Arts and Mathematics Learning Standards.

I can't believe it's not common core

New York
May 2, 2017

New York heads toward finish line on Common Core replacement

These revisions build on a draft set of standards released in September and include practices to improve reading and writing habits.

test prep

Tennessee
March 30, 2017

In final year of Common Core, Tennessee teachers can use practice test questions from PARCC

As TNReady testing approaches in mid-April, teachers are looking for practice questions to prep their students for the state's revamped assessment.

Standard bearer

Colorado
January 24, 2017

Colorado begins review of academic standards after years of avoiding Common Core controversy

While Colorado lawmakers have introduced legislation to force the state to drop the Common Core in previous years, their efforts were futile.

year in review

Tennessee
December 21, 2016

Ten stories defining Tennessee public education in 2016

From testing and standards to school funding and bus safety, Tennessee has navigated a tumultuous and historic year.

primer

Tennessee
December 12, 2016

Your guide to district- and school-level TNReady scores

Tennessee soon will release district- and school-level scores from the state’s new, and supposedly harder, standardized test.
National
November 23, 2016

Trump ed sec pick Betsy DeVos on the Common Core: ‘I am not a supporter  —  period’

Betsy DeVos wants to clear something up: She definitely doesn’t like the Common Core standards.

What's in a name?

New York
November 22, 2016

‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Common Core’: Chalkbeat readers’ suggestions for naming New York’s learning standards

Chalkbeat readers started nominating their own suggestions for renaming New York's learning standards.

you name it

New York
November 21, 2016

‘Common Core’ is out of style. Could the ‘I [heart] NY Standards’ be in?

A group is floating ideas for Common Core replacement names, including the "Empire State Learning Standards" and "New York's Academic Standards."

Almost here

Tennessee
November 3, 2016

Tennessee is about to release its first TNReady scores. Here’s what to expect.

On Friday, Tennessee will release its first batch of scores from its new standardized test. Here are four things we know.

Scrutinizing Content

Tennessee
October 28, 2016

You’ve heard what Buzzfeed thinks about Tennessee’s social studies standards. Here’s what teachers say.

Despite some public backlash about proposed new social studies standards, many Tennessee teachers welcome the changes.

First Person

Colorado
October 19, 2016

When you’re in charge of testing in a Colorado school district and your daughter wants to opt out

A Colorado school district official believes that state tests can be a force for equity, but says test-makers are failing their customers.

Doing the math

Tennessee
October 19, 2016

Trying to sort out Tennessee’s new math standards? These educators are doing it for you.

The new Mid-Cumberland Math Consortium uses the collective brain power of Middle Tennessee educators to work through common challenges to math instruction.

common ground

New York
October 12, 2016

Been waiting to sound off on New York’s Common Core revisions? You have an extra 10 days

Facing what they called high demand to review the state’s proposed changes to the Common Core, officials extended the comment deadline until Nov. 14.

mulgrew says

New York
October 7, 2016

UFT President Michael Mulgrew criticizes Common Core revisions

“We’re not happy with what we’ve seen so far,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said about the state's revisions to Common Core.

common changes

New York
October 6, 2016

Teachers explain how Common Core changes could impact their classrooms

How would the Common Core revisions affect classrooms across New York state? To find out, we turned to the experts: teachers.

funding fight continues

New York
October 3, 2016

Have supporters of a lawsuit demanding billions in school funds finally found their moment?

The fight continues to increase school funds under the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit.

sisyphean effort

Tennessee
September 22, 2016

5 Memphis high schools get a Common Core boost, even as the standards are set to disappear

Shelby County Schools is experimenting with a curriculum that New York State developed to help educators there teach to the shared standards.

changes to the core

New York
September 21, 2016

New York state recommends changes to over half the Common Core learning standards

New York state released a draft of its revised learning standards, which officials say show substantial changes from the Common Core.

why the jump?

New York
August 4, 2016

What caused New York City’s state test scores to jump?

There's been a lot of debate about a big increase in state test scores. Here are the competing theories about why the city and state saw a big spike in ELA scores.

testing 1-2-3

New York
August 3, 2016

If state tests keep changing, should they still be used to judge struggling schools?

State test scores are not an "apples-to-apples" comparison to last year's assessments but those scores are still being used to judge progress in struggling schools.

testing takeaway

New York
July 29, 2016

Educators and advocates weigh in on New York State test scores

The New York State Education Department's release of grades 3-8 test scores brought a flurry of responses from across the political spectrum.

fuzzy math

New York
July 19, 2016

The state is tinkering with Regents exam scores, but advocates say that means prior test-takers lose out

Advocates say changes to Regents Algebra scale scores could put students who took the test in 2014 or 2015 at a disadvantage.

Signed and sealed

Tennessee
May 31, 2016

Tennessee awards two testing contracts as it searches for TNReady successor

Two firms that have received smaller testing contracts this spring could be in the hunt for the state’s biggest job.

analysis

Colorado
April 27, 2016

Why Colorado’s testing opt-out movement could struggle to build on 2015’s big numbers

Fewer tests, less political rancor and other factors may dim opt-out momentum this spring.

On ESSA

Tennessee
April 25, 2016

Sen. Lamar Alexander on the nation’s new education law, and how it could shape Tennessee schools

Tennessee's senior senator says the goal of the Every Students Succeeds Act is to leave decisions about schools up to local stakeholders.

New ballgame

Tennessee
April 15, 2016

At long last, phase-out of Common Core is official in Tennessee

The State Board of Education signs off on new "homegrown" standards after 18 months of examination and revisions.

core questions

New York
April 15, 2016

As New York reconsiders Common Core, UFT organizes teachers to suggest changes

The United Federation of Teachers has been organizing meetings of a few dozen educators to unpack the Common Core learning standards.

Learning science

Indiana
April 14, 2016

New Indiana science standards would stress skills over memorizing facts

The Indiana State Board of Education is expected to vote on updated science standards at its meeting tomorrow.

Common Core confusion

Tennessee
April 5, 2016

Who controls standards? Who controls curriculum? Tennessee lawmakers seek clarity

A bill specifying that the state sets standards, while local districts control curriculum, is advancing through the legislature.

Testing Time

New York
April 4, 2016

It’s testing time for New York students. Here’s what you need to know.

As students gear up for tests, here's a guide to the changes, debates and controversy surrounding the New York state assessments.

making friends

New York
March 25, 2016

As opt-out debates continue, state’s top education officials work to stay united

One day after the chancellor-elect said she would opt her own child out of state tests, she had a conversation with the education commissioner and outlined their shared views.
Indiana
March 9, 2016

Here’s why Indianapolis isn’t one of the U.S. cities that will get comparison national test data

Six new cities were added Tuesday to 21 already being studied by the federal government.
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