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Today's students will earn 8% less (but won't know how much that is)
U.S. students' future earnings -- and the economy as a whole -- will be much lower because of declining achievement in math and reading.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 19, 20252 min read


Unready or not, they're going to college
A third of high school graduates (or less) are ready for college math and reading, but a majority will enroll in four-year colleges.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 13, 20252 min read


'Stark decline' in reading, math: 1/3 of 12th-graders are ready for college
Reading and math scores are way down for 12th graders. Only a third are prepared for college success.

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 9, 20252 min read


Is Common Core math the problem?
While some blame Common Core math for falling test scores, others say the stress on understanding prepares students for algebra.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 28, 20252 min read


The new math has more on 'social justice,' less math
Money earned by people who were very, very good at math is being spent to promote anti-racist, justice-infused not-very-mathy math.

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 26, 20252 min read


Who gets the most brains for the buck? Mississippi, Texas and Florida
New York spends a lot on schools and doesn't get much for the money.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 30, 20251 min read


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


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


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


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

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 24, 20253 min read


Charter network trains -- and pays -- parents to teach reading
A Denver charter network has trained parents to work as reading tutors.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 17, 20251 min read


The way back: Refocus on things schools can do
Schools need to focus on teaching academics rather than trying to end injustice or combat climate change.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 5, 20252 min read


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


Catholic schools ace NAEP
Catholic school students are one to two years ahead of public students in reading and math.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 31, 20251 min read


Reading, math scores are out: 'The news is not good'
Reading scores are still falling on the "nation's report card," while math scores are the same.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 29, 20252 min read


Return of the nerds: US should honor mathletes as much as athletes
Honor mathletes and science fair winners or plan to import a lot of high-tech immigrants.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 2, 20252 min read


U.S. math scores show 'devastating' decline
U.S. students are doing much worse in math, while some other countries are improving.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 5, 20242 min read


Want equity? Teach more math, not less
As a math teacher in the early 2000s, Adrian Mims saw few Black and Hispanic students succeeding in Brooklin (MA) High School's honors...

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 10, 20242 min read


Discovering math: How do you know 75% is more than 50%?
I remember when "the new math" was new. It was supposed to teach kids to understand math, not just go through the motions. I'd just...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 29, 20242 min read


'Locking in' learning loss: Math grades didn't return to pre-pandemic normal
Grade inflation soared when learning went remote, writes Amber Northern. Lax requirements to turn in work, fewer graded assignments, and...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 6, 20241 min read
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