The landscape of American school policy is no longer shaped only behind closed doors. It’s debated in town halls, on social media, and through public protests. At the heart of this evolving conversation, a few names keep coming up—McGrath and Kaminsky. These two have become symbols of a larger shift in school governance: one where ...
In today’s battleground of U.S. education policy, a few names keep coming up—not as part of the establishment enforcing top-down mandates, but as those challenging the very core of it. One of those names is Carol Burris, whose sharp critiques in the Washington Post have made waves in the ongoing debate over standardized education. As ...
In today’s education system, teachers are no longer just educators—they’re public figures navigating accountability, policy, and perception. Few cases illustrate this better than that of Starpoint Middle School teacher Brian Lasher, whose name has recently become a magnet for controversy in upstate New York. His story intersects with larger trends in American public schools, including ...
The Ongoing Confusion Around Common Core Math The rollout of Common Core standards sparked widespread discussion across the U.S., especially in subjects like math. One case, referred to as “Problem O,” highlights the confusion students and teachers face due to rigidly designed learning modules. While the goal of Common Core is to establish consistent, high-level ...
In recent years, a significant movement has emerged among New York parents, educators, and students, voicing strong opposition to high-stakes standardized testing in public schools. This collective resistance, known as the “opt-out” movement, reflects growing concerns about the impact of these tests on educational quality, student well-being, and equity within the education system. The Rise ...
As technology continues to evolve and reshape every aspect of our lives, the world of education is no exception — even games like Aviator reflect this shift. More and more tech companies are stepping up, recognizing their role in fostering the next generation of skilled professionals, particularly in IT and digital fields. One notable player ...
In today’s high-stakes education climate, one teacher’s story from Washington, D.C., sheds light on the devastating impact of tying teacher evaluations to student test scores—especially under the Common Core framework. A former South Side High School student—now a young, passionate educator—shared her experience in a letter that speaks for thousands. Her identity is protected, but ...
Across New York, growing numbers of educators, parents, and advocates are calling for an end to high-stakes testing in public schools. While most support rigorous academic standards and strong instruction, the state’s current approach to testing is widely seen as harmful, inefficient, and counterproductive. The emphasis on test-based accountability has created a learning environment where ...
As New York State prepares to roll out a Value-Added Model (VAM) to evaluate high school principals, education leaders are raising red flags. With the school year nearing its end, high school principals still lack a clear understanding of how their VAM score—representing 25% of their Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR)—will be calculated. The model, introduced with little ...
On Monday, the New York State Board of Regents will vote on proposed changes to the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR). If you thought APPR was bad before, it’s about to become much worse. The heart of the problem? Under the new plan, 50% of a teacher’s evaluation will depend on student performance.For teachers of grades ...
Round the Inkwell
Round the Inkwell