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In a rustbelt city, disadvantaged students are proficient readers
Steubenville's families are struggling to make a living -- but their children are excellent readers.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 212 min read
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SF brings back 8th-grade algebra, admits 'equity math' failed
Algebra will return to San Francisco middle schools, reports Jill Tucker in the San Francisco Chronicle. The school board's vote Tuesday...

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 15, 20242 min read
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8th-grade algebra for some
Most middle schools offer eighth-grade algebra to high achievers, according to a new RAND survey, reports Kalyn Belsha on Chalkbeat. Only...

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 8, 20241 min read
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'Mastery learning' means lots of testing, and choices about what's essential
U.S. students should get a high school diploma when they meet state standards in core subjects, writes Checker Finn. It doesn't matter...

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 24, 20232 min read
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Texas tracks for equity: 'I didn't know honors existed'
California progressives are eliminating advanced math in middle school in the name of equity. In Texas, equity means expanding access to...

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 5, 20231 min read
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Is this equity? White liberals think it's 'racially enlightened' to lower standards
In Dream Town: Shaker Heights and the Quest for Racial Equity, Washington Post reporter Laura Meckler, a Shaker Heights native, writes...

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 25, 20232 min read
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Detracking in Shaker Heights: 'Honors' for all, lower expectations
All Shaker Heights students take honors classes -- or classes with an "honors" label. The "enriched" and "advanced" tracks are gone,...

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 17, 20232 min read
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Ignoring smart kids isn't a smart strategy
Gifted students deserve an education that fits their needs, argues Brandon Wright on Fordham's Advance newsletter. Acceleration and...

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 8, 20221 min read
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