EdBizWatch

How Much Tougher Is Common Core?

A new report from the National Center on Education Statistics provides some data.

How Much Tougher Is Common Core? Mikhail Zinshteyn, The Atlantic

Pearson Loses Huge Testing Contract in New York

More bad news for Pearson, the world’s largest education and testing company.

Pearson Loses Huge Testing Contract in New York, Valerie Strauss, Washington Post

Grading the Common Core: No Teaching Experience Required

The process can evoke the way a restaurant chain monitors the work of its employees and the quality of its products.

Grading the Common Core: No Teaching Experience Required, Motoko Rich, NYT

Don’t Do Away with School Testing

Make changes, but don’t compromise the ability to measure how well a child is learning.

Don’t Do Away with School Testing, Editorial Board, Washington Post

PARCC Will Shortens Its Common Core-Aligned Test

Parents and educators were frustrated with the amount of time devoted to the new exams.

PARCC Will Shortens Its Common Core-Aligned Test, Emma Brown, Washington Post

LightSail Raises $3.5M, Led by Scott Cook, Intuit Co-founder

Co offers tablet-based libraries of standards-aligned texts, with assessments and comprehension data.

LightSail Raises $3.5 Million for Tablet-Based Libraries, Mary Jo Madda, edSurge

We Should Be Asking Why & How We Test, Not Just How Often

Despite intense focus on testing tied to consequences, achievement gains have slowed.

Ask Why & How We Test, Not Just How Often, Linda Darling-Hammond, HuffPost

How Common Core is Killing the Textbook

CCSS was supposed to make it easier to market texbooks to 40+ states that adopted them.

How Common Core is Killing the Textbook, Rachael Monahan, Quartz

Smarter Balanced Common Core Math Test is Fatally Flawed

If the results are disappointing the culprit will be the tests themselves.

Smarter Balanced Math Test is Fatally Flawed, Steve Rasmussen, edSurge

Despite Opt-Outs, PARCC Testing Numbers Soar

Across 11 states and D.C., more than 2 million PARCC tests have been completed.

Despite Opt-Outs, PARCC Testing Numbers Soar, Allie Bidwell, US News

Some Parents Across US 'Opt Out' of Standardized Tests

“We’ve never had this many tests, we’ve never spent this much time testing.”

Some Parents Across US "Op Out' of Standardized Tests, Emma Brown, WP

‘Consumer Reports’ for Common Core Finds Materials Lacking

EdReports.org issued its first analysis of Common Core classroom materials.

New ‘Consumer Reports’ for Common Core Finds Materials Lacking, L. Layton, WP

Renaissance Learning Acquires UClass

The San Franciso, CA-based startup bills itself as a “Dropbox for Education.”

Renaissance Learning Acquires UClass, Tony Wan, EdBizWatch

Common Core-Linked Tests Spur Schools to Teach Typing

While administrators race to iron out tech glitches, one snag remains: how to type.

Common Core-Linked Tests Spur Schools to Teach Typing, Caroline Porter, WSJ

The Case for Annual Testing

Conservatives, progressives, parents, & unions--formidable opponents to standards, testing, & accountability. 

The Case for Annual Testing, G. Whitehurst, M. West, M. Chingos, Brookings

Why 2015 Is a Crucial Year for Common Core

How students fare, and how parents and teachers react, will be crucial.

Why 2015 Is a Crucial Year for Common Core, Libby Nelson, Vox

Kindergarten Entry Tests & More Edu Predictions for 2015

What do you think will happen this year in education? 

Kindergarten Entry Tests And More Education Predictions for 2015, nprEd

The Man Behind Common Core Math

Common Core writers never imagined bad homework would fuel political battles.

The Man Behind Common Core Math, Sarah Garland, nprEd

Who Got the Biggest Gates Foundation Edu Grants for 2014

Gates is the leading billionaire/millionaire who has poured money into school “reform." 

Who Got the Biggest Gates Foundation Edu Grants for 2014, Valerie Strauss, WP

Common Core Assessment Now Largest K–12 Tech Mkt Sector

Testing & assessment market has grown 57% over last 3 yrs, totaling $2.5 billion.

Common Core Assessment Now Largest K–12 Tech Mkt Sector, D. Smith, EdTech Mag