Educators

Last week’s events in Baltimore did not start the race discussions and teachable moments for the students and faculty at Washington Latin PCS in Washington, D.C., they continued them. The community, lead by Head of School Martha Cutts, has been facing the issue of race head on using its “classical education for the modern world” as its foundation.

by Leila Meyer

N ationally, eighth graders’ average scores on the NAEP U.S. history, geography, and civics assessments showed no significant change in 2014, compared to 2010—the last assessment year. However, several student groups have made gains. In 2014, eighteen percent of eighth-graders performed at or above the Proficient level in U.S. history, 27 percent performed at or above the Proficient level in geography, and 23 percent performed at or above the Proficient level in civics. Students performing at or above the Proficient level on NAEP assessments demonstrate solid academic performance and competency over challenging subject matter. See the results at The Nation’s Report Card.

by Elissa Nadworny

by Mike Anderson

D r. Jenny Rankin illustrates why data used with high-stakes consequences should always be made “over-the-counter” (embedding guidance for users) to best ensure the data is understood, analyzed appropriately, and used effectively. Look for an upcoming op-ed from Dr. Rankin on edCircuit.

by Jillian GordonAs the flowers start to bloom and it begins to look a little greener outside, many teachers are feeling the weight of winter stress lifting off of them. But the opposite is happening to high school seniors across the country who are in the midst of making a tough decision: where, and if, they should go to college.I teach agricultural science, an elective course at my school. I am lucky that the students in my room walk in each day because they made the choice to be there, and for the most part, this allows me to connect with these students in a way that is more difficult in the core class environment. I get to know them, their families and their siblings. Because of this connection, it is really important for me to talk to my students about their plans for after graduation.Read the rest of the story at PBS Newshour.

GWEN IFILL: Next: the struggle to draw college graduates back to the classroom.

by Nick Valencia