Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

Common Core

tick tock

Tennessee
Updated January 30, 2019

Just months before its next testing company is supposed to start, Tennessee has yet to receive its first bid

The state has yet to release its request for proposals soliciting testing companies to take over its embattled TNReady assessment program.

TNReady Audit

Tennessee
December 19, 2018

Tennessee was ‘overly ambitious’ in pushing online testing, says state’s chief investigator

Problems with TNReady testing are the focus of the state comptroller's year-long audit.

boom and backlash

National
December 19, 2018

Could the forces that fought the Common Core bring down personalized learning?

Major funders and the federal education department are promoting the idea. Teachers are wary. Parents are perplexed. Criticism is coming from both the political left…

exclusive

Tennessee
July 25, 2018

In his final months as Tennessee governor, Haslam reflects on his education legacy

In a wide-ranging interview, the outgoing Republican governor talks about achievement gains, TNReady disappointments, pre-K challenges, and what's next.

Scores in

Tennessee
Updated July 19, 2018

After a wild testing year, Tennessee student scores mostly dip — but there are a few bright spots

Student test scores mostly decreased this year in Tennessee, especially in middle school where performance dipped in every subject, according to new statewide data.

New research

Tennessee
May 22, 2018

From an ‘F’ to an ‘A’, Tennessee now sets high expectations for students, says Harvard study

Tennessee stands out in a new national report examining how the exodus from Common Core has changed states' expectations for their students.

a new standard

National
May 14, 2018

Here’s what annoyed high school students most about the switch to Common Core

Group work. Also this: “Do you want me to learn it? Or do you want me to stare at the problem?”

not so fast

Tennessee
April 23, 2018

Why Tennessee legislators share blame, too, for TNReady testing headaches

In 2014, the legislature voted to pull out abruptly from a multi-state testing partnership, which set the stage for TNReady.

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.
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