Joanne Jacobs
Beyond basics: Schools must teach 'virtues and habits' of free people
"Back to basics" education isn't enough, writes Gillian Richards on The American Conservative. "Some conservatives have responded to...
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Joanne Jacobs
- Jun 7, 2023
- 3 min
Charters are outperforming traditional public schools
Charter schools are outperforming traditional public schools, according to a new study by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes...
Joanne Jacobs
- May 17, 2023
- 1 min
We can't 'replace academic mastery with critical thinking about nothing in particular'
The American education system has turned away from academics and lost its way, says David Steiner, executive director of the Institute...
Joanne Jacobs
- May 17, 2023
- 1 min
Presto chango! You're 'graduation ready'
New Jersey just doubled the percentage of students who are "graduation ready" in reading, writes Chrif Cerf, the former state...
Joanne Jacobs
- May 11, 2023
- 3 min
Set up to fail: In real life, you've got to show up and do the work
"Equitable grading" is supposed to be fairer to students who have trouble completing homework, getting to school on time and studying for...
Joanne Jacobs
- May 3, 2023
- 1 min
The culture war matters
The "culture war"matters for public education, writes Daniel Buck. It's not a distraction, not as the National Education Association...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 26, 2023
- 2 min
Knowledge isn't just for Republicans
Teaching knowledge is not just for Republicans or conservatives, writes Natalie Wexler on Minding the Gap. Anyone who values equity...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 25, 2023
- 2 min
Turning around a 'failing' school -- and not turning back
Now a "turnaround school," Charles E. Brown Elementary School was ranked in the bottom 6 percent of schools in Alabama in 2019. Getting...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 25, 2023
- 2 min
'Covid kids' won't catch up by the end of 12th grade, unless . . .
It's a "terrible truth," writes Margaret Raymond on The 74. "Most of the programs school districts have implemented to address COVID...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 24, 2023
- 2 min
Teachers who don't want to quit
Teachers at turn down higher-paying jobs to work at a Texas school that "supports professional growth, values staff input and celebrates...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 17, 2023
- 1 min
Is your honor-roll student at grade level? Maybe not
“87% of Sacramento County parents think their kids do math at grade level,” reads one billboard. “28% of kids actually do." The goal of...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 12, 2023
- 2 min
Beyond fat cats on mats: Knowledge closes the learning gap
Teaching phonics is a critical first step in teaching reading, but students need to build knowledge and vocabulary to get from fat cats...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 6, 2023
- 1 min
Educating for adulthood
Americans have fallen out of love with college degrees, writes Jenny Anderson in Time. In 2019, Americans ranked “preparing for college”...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 6, 2023
- 2 min
What's the purpose of high school?
Teaching "self-sufficiency and competence" should be the goal of high school -- not merely college prep -- writes Selim Tlili, a biology...
Joanne Jacobs
- Apr 3, 2023
- 2 min
Grades and grad rates rise, and that's not good news
Grades are up! Graduation rates are rising! But that's not good news. Test scores are down, across the country, writes Hechinger's Jill...
Joanne Jacobs
- Mar 23, 2023
- 2 min
All children can learn -- but how much?
Not all education problems are solvable, if we just try hard enough or spend enough, argues Freddie DeBoer in a column on optimism bias. ...
Joanne Jacobs
- Mar 22, 2023
- 1 min
Conservatives shouldn't give up on public education
Public education is progressive in its goals, yet schools are conservative institutions, writes Robert Pondiscio in National Affairs....
Joanne Jacobs
- Mar 18, 2023
- 2 min
Against self-reliance
Hard work pays off. Even those born in poverty can build a better life. Self-reliance is better than dependence. Not so, argues Alissa...
Joanne Jacobs
- Mar 16, 2023
- 1 min
Make peace, not culture war
"Liberal Patriot" Ruy Teixeira advises Democrats to stop fighting culture wars and make peace with middle-ground voters. For example,...
Joanne Jacobs
- Mar 16, 2023
- 2 min
There is no culture war in education's 'ideological heartland'
Most Americans are realists, not cultural warriors, when it comes to education, writes Bruno V. Manno on Smerconish.com. Two-thirds of...
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