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Unions keep schools open-- at very high cost: $93K per pupil at Chicago school
Teachers' unions and community groups make it very, very hard to close high-cost, low-enrollment schools.

Joanne Jacobs
14 hours ago3 min read
2 comments


Many pathways to a diploma, but are students really prepared?
Washington state traded its exit exam for multiple graduation pathways, but still has 20% of students who aren't on track for a diploma.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 52 min read
4 comments


Open the door to new worlds: Poor kids have a right to Shakespeare, Bach, Plato
To offer a demanding, powerful curriculum to every child is not elitist. It is egalitarian.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 21 min read
3 comments


No-zero grading lets no-show students graduate: 'Just crazy'
Passing students who don't show up regularly or do the work is "just crazy," says an "A" students -- and many of her teachers in Chicago.

Joanne Jacobs
May 283 min read
3 comments


To boost achievement, stop doing stupid things
The first step in improving education is to stop doing stupid things.

Joanne Jacobs
May 273 min read
14 comments


DEI buzzwords trigger huge cuts in STEM ed research
DOGE has ordered $773 million in cuts to STEM education research.

Joanne Jacobs
May 182 min read
0 comments


Some things you just can't unforget
If education researchers talk too much about "unforgetting," they won't be able to imagine a future in which their work is funded.

Joanne Jacobs
May 172 min read
4 comments


Are children learning? Politicians don't seem to care
Education isn't on the national agenda: Politicians argue about library books and locker rooms, but not about raising achievement.

Joanne Jacobs
May 132 min read
10 comments


Mississippi rising: Look South for progress in reading achievement
Mississippi should be a role model for the nation in how to teach reading, along with Louisiana, Tennessee and Alabama, but old stereotypes persist.

Joanne Jacobs
May 132 min read
1 comment


It's Mormons: Low-spending Utah is #4 for education
Utah spends less on public schools and has larger class sizes, but ranks #4 for education, according to U.S. News.

Joanne Jacobs
May 121 min read
9 comments


Hands on, minds off: Constructing confusion
"Discovery" students are busy and engaged, but not necessarily learning.

Joanne Jacobs
May 72 min read
3 comments


As 'career tech for all' spreads, Alabama offers a 'workforce diploma'
Alabama's new "workforce" diploma will prepare graduates for jobs or community college, but not for selective universities.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 292 min read
0 comments


Zuckerbergs give up on holistic, trauma-informed, culturally responsive schools
What if a school provided help with parenting, health and wellness and social services? A Zuckerberg-funded experiment is closing, an apparent failure.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 262 min read
2 comments


Houston's comeback: Structure, direct instruction are paying off
Students are learning more at Houston schools that stress teacher-guided classrooms, structure and order.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 212 min read
6 comments


Scripted lessons are replacing DIY teaching: Will kids learn more?
Schools are moving to scripted, structured lessons and "high-quality" (they hope) learning materials.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 72 min read
2 comments


Schools are becoming social services hubs with a little reading and math on the side
Schools are trying to solve every student's every problem, but neglecting their academic mission.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 281 min read
2 comments


Ed Dept's end will make Florida schools as good as Finland's, says Trump. Probably not.
Dismantling the U.S. Education Department will cut costs and improve learning, says President Trump.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 212 min read
6 comments


McMahon's mission: What does 'send it to the states' mean?
If education is sent "to the states," will they do a better job?

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 122 min read
7 comments


Ignorance isn't bliss: We need testing to know what students don't know
Testing is essential to improve schools and inform parents.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 52 min read
2 comments


Dear Colleague: Do what the Ed Department wants -- or else
The Education Department has used "guidance" letters to force states, colleges and districts to spend hundreds of millions of dollars.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 43 min read
7 comments
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