top of page


Did AI eat your job? Learn to teach
New computer-science graduates could find jobs in teaching, and improve math achievement.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 2, 20252 min read
Â


As attention spans get shorter, so does the SAT -- and soon the ACT
The SAT, and soon the ACT, are changing to cater to students with short attention spans.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 20, 20252 min read
Â


Alabama is leading the way on math teaching: How states can improve
Alabama shows how a very poor state can improve math achievement.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 4, 20251 min read
Â


Just teach us, say students: Explain the math or science so we can understand it
Teenagers want teachers to explain STEM subjects. Few care about working in groups or seeing examples that reflect their race or gender.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 4, 20251 min read
Â


Why Johnny can't do math
"Experts" tell teachers that students don't need to memorizes math facts, setting them up for failure.

Joanne Jacobs
May 30, 20252 min read
Â


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

Joanne Jacobs
May 27, 20253 min read
Â


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

Joanne Jacobs
May 18, 20252 min read
Â


Advanced math -- AP Calculus or AP Statistics -- leads to higher pay
AP Statistics students earn almost as much as AP Calculus students eight years after college.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 30, 20253 min read
Â


More math, more learning in Tennessee
Tennessee districts that analyze student data and reteach topics students didn't understand are boosting middle-school math scores.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 30, 20252 min read
Â


Don't blame parents for things they can't control
Parents can send children to school rested and ready to learn, but schools have to do their part too.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 3, 20252 min read
Â


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 28, 20251 min read
Â


Data-loving district sees big learning gains: Is there too much testing?
Math and reading scores are way up in a high-poverty California district, but some teachers say there's too much testing.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 18, 20253 min read
Â


How 'Bama got better in math: Crunching numbers, coaching teachers pays off
Fourth-grade math scores are way up in a rural Alabama county that's turned to data analysis and coaching to improve learning.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 18, 20252 min read
Â


Silicon Valley runs on Asian tech talent: 66% of workers are immigrants
Two-thirds of Silicon Valley tech workers are immigrants: Half were born in Asia.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 15, 20251 min read
Â


Paying for failure: If at first you don't succeed, you get a try-again bonus
Failure algebra in Philadelphia, go to tutoring, retake the test and get a cash reward -- even if you fail again.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 14, 20252 min read
Â


Teaching number sense: 3 + 4 is not 34
Children need to learn basic math facts at an early age to develop number sense.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 24, 20252 min read
Â


In search of the 'science of math'
Is learning math really like learning to ride a bicycle?

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 24, 20253 min read
Â


What did we get for $190 billion in school aid? Very little
Pandemic learning loss averaged half a year for most students, but the neediest students lost more in reading and math.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 12, 20252 min read
Â


Way behind and not catching up: Inside a math 'intervention' class
If students don't learn foundational math skills, they tend to fall farther and farther behind.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 4, 20253 min read
Â


Getting better: How Louisiana is raising reading and math scores
How Louisiana is raising reading scores and hoping to improve math achievement.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 3, 20253 min read
Â
bottom of page