Brown Center Report on American Education from Brookings. Key findings:

• The U.S. continues to register mediocre scores on the Program for International Student Assessment, as it has done since the test began in 2000. U.S. performance in all three subjects—math, reading, and science—was no different statistically in 2015 than it was when each subject was first administered. 
• International students still think U.S. schools are much less challenging than schools in their home countries. In 2001, 55.9 percent of foreign exchange students surveyed said their classes in America were “much easier” than back home; in 2016, that increased to 66.4 percent.
• Analyzing data from California schools, Loveless finds that African-American students continue to be suspended at a higher rate than other ethnic groups. In 2013, the suspension rate for African-American students was 0.235, meaning 235 out of every 1,000 black students received a suspension; in 2015, it fell to 0.178. This is still dramatically higher than the 2015 rates of Hispanic students (0.052), white students (0.044) and Asian-Americans (0.012).

So much for Student Loan Reform

WaPo reports (as did the NYT) that the Trump Administration Dept of Ed rolled back protections for people in default on student loan debt . Good lord. They really don't care. Pete Session today gave some drivel about the problem with student loans is not enough jobs. Eye roll.

GOOD NEWS!!! More Per Student!!

HB 21 is a yes! Or at least contact your state representatives to say yes. This is a huge step in the right direction.

Education and Computer Programming

Brookings Educational Equality and Excellence will drive a stronger economy

Well, duh. Actually, this points out the need for computer programming. So we don't need to fuss so much about instruction methods as we do what we are teaching (content) and technology. (See my ETEC website on TPCK)

Cops & Teachers: Similar issues

WaPo Police Departments likely to adopt new technology without analysis

Again, education and law enforcement share similar issues whether that is a few bad apples making us all look bad - or stupid - and the tendency of higher ups to go crazy for the latest and supposedly greatest thing.

Heaven forbid we do something for a few years and learn to do it well. Or that we look to what has worked historically and see how to make it relevant to the 21st century. Or that we really analyze how something works!

Free Lunches for All School Kids!

WaPo 13 Million Kids Go to School Hungry

I know, I know, big government is bad. But if we care about the future of society and care about kids and life then why aren't we providing free lunches, and free breakfast, at school for all kids regardless of income? I know that for years my family made just slightly too much money for reduced lunches. My kids got fed but a reduced breakfast and lunch would have been helpful. (Yes, we were once in THAT category. Wyatt went to Head Start.) As a teacher, this is a more profound pedagogical tool than testing or changing instruction every year!

What is up with this? Teachers & students? Yuck.

DMN Asst football coach at Carter HS has improper relationship

Ew. I am so sick and tired of gross adults with no sense making teachers look bad. Seriously. This guy is 38 and old enough to know better. The girl was 16. Of course, teenagers are difficult and at times think they are way more mature than they are. Still, at 38 he should have known better. If he were 23 and she were 18, then it would still be unprofessional but it might be understandable. This is just wrong and hurts teachers reputations, much like a bad cop hurts police. And of course, the media broadcasts .......