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Teachers are skeptical of 'equitable' grading: 'Students sink to lower expectations'
Teachers don't like grading "reforms" that lower expectations.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 202 min read
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Low standards let kids sink
High expectations are worth a few tears.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 122 min read
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The middle-school reading crisis
Teachers aren't prepared for middle schoolers who can't read very well.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 71 min read
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Poet X hasn't replaced Shakespeare -- yet -- in English classes
English teachers still teach classics, but think students relate more to "diverse" young-adult books.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 13 min read
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AI + school is replicating: Is Alpha the future?
Alpha is exporting its AI-empowered "2 Hour Learning" across the country, but will it work if it goes virtual?

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 283 min read
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Teachers back tougher discipline, violent students out of classrooms
Half of Colorado teachers say they've been injured by a student. A report calls for creating alternative spaces for disruptive and violent students.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 242 min read
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Physics students learn more from the professor than from each other
Student-led discussions fail less-prepared physics students -- they need the professor -- but work for well-prepared students.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 222 min read
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Why Johnny can't calculate: Teachers follow the vibes, not the evidence
Math teachers should focus less on whether students can do math and more on "valuing the community," says leading professional group.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 213 min read
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Eat your spinach and do your homework: Rigor is unpopular
Everyone says they value a rigorous education -- but many don't want to do the work.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 143 min read
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You say you want a revolution: NEA votes to call Trump a 'fascist'
The National Education Association will fight for DEI and the U.S. Education Department, and vows to use "fascist" to describe President Trump.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 82 min read
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You're a genius! You're a genius! You're a genius!
Calling every student a "genius" -- even if they're not learning - - obscures failure for students and their teachers.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 72 min read
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Did AI eat your job? Learn to teach
New computer-science graduates could find jobs in teaching, and improve math achievement.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 22 min read
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Students learn more when they're grouped by reading level -- and teachers are happier
Ability grouping works for K-2 readers.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 192 min read
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Vibes-based, guide-on-the side teaching is 'soul destroying'
Ignoring how children learn in favor of letting teachers do what feels good is a "soul destroying" mistake.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 183 min read
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Paying teachers for performance is working in DC and Dallas
Pay teachers for performance and taking hard jobs, not just for years in the classroom.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 172 min read
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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
Jun 163 min read
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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 41 min read
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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 41 min read
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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
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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 302 min read
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