Featured Article

Is Thinking a “Skill”? Values and Problems in Thinking About the “Liberal Arts”

Is Thinking a “Skill”? Values and Problems in Thinking About the “Liberal Arts”

Posted on March 2, 2010

In today’s online version of the Chronicle of Higher Education, four views regarding the “future of the liberal arts” are presented. While not intending to pick on Martha Nussbaum’s “The Liberal Arts Are Not Elitist” — for in spirit we share a common concern — the piece does nonetheless represent some perennial problems in how public discourse conceptualizes education. As an illustration of these problems I examine some of the assumptions and features of the essay. Nussbaum begins by warning of a crisis in education, a crisis rooted in the quest for national profit or economic gain (interestingly enough this point is made without reference to the dramatic...

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Opinion

Realism and Social Change

Posted on February 22, 2010

In corresponding with Cassiodorus about my book, the question of social change took center stage. When you argue for social change you inevitably come up against the claims of “realism” — we can’t change this or that because to do so would be “unrealistic.” This is the argument typically favored by the incrementalists: “since we can’t change society as a whole,” they say, “let’s...

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Research

Think Tank Review: Report on Impact of Charters Overstates Results

Think Tank Review: Report on Impact of Charters Overstates Results

Posted on November 18, 2009

PRESS RELEASE: ‘Everyone Wins’ ignores factors besides competition to explain marginally improved public school achievement in NYC November 17, 2009 Contact: Patrick McEwan, (781) 283-2987; (email) pmcewan@wellesley.edu Gary Miron, (269) 599-7965; (email) gary.miron@wmich.edu TEMPE, Ariz. and BOULDER, Colo. (November 17, 2009) — A report released three weeks ago looked at the competition effects of New York City’s charter schools,...

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Theory

Are Tests Measures of Test Taking Ability?

Are Tests Measures of Test Taking Ability?

Posted on February 22, 2010

In a recent discussion of my book, A Measure of Failure, the typical argument against any critique of standardized testing was issued in response to a favorable review of the book’s main points. In the comments we read: “A math test, such as the math portion of the SAT for instance, most certainly measures a student’s ability to do the math...

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Reviews

Review of “A Measure of Failure: The Political Origins of Standardized Testing”

Review of “A Measure of Failure: The Political Origins of Standardized Testing”

Posted on February 24, 2010

The February issue of Counseling Today carries a review of my book by Aaron W. Hughey, professor of counseling and student affairs, Western Kentucky University. The essay begins: “True or false: Proponents of standardized testing are, unintentionally or otherwise, pushing an agenda that intrinsically advocates racism and socioeconomic oppression. Intrigued? Then read on. It really is an understatement to claim that standardized testing permeates...

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Blog

March 4 Actions to Defend Public Education & Ravitch Opposition to Testing and Choice

Posted on March 6, 2010

Democracy Now! offers a summary of actions during the National Day of Action to Defend Public Education. “Students and teachers held hundreds of demonstrations on Thursday as part of the National Day...

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Hess on Federal Jargon & the Jargon of Venture Capitalism and Wall Street Dictate

Posted on March 5, 2010

Much is now being made of the finalists for the first round of Race to the Top funds. To his credit, AEI’s Fred...

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Preparing for Tests, Learning…?

Posted on March 2, 2010

As I read Cohen and Moffitt’s, The Ordeal of Equality, I could not help but make some connections to a recent 

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Remarks by the President on the “Education To Innovate” Campaign

Posted on December 1, 2009

The White House Office of the Press Secretary November 23, 2009 South Court Auditorium, Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. I am extraordinarily excited to have you...

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American Enterprise Institute Holds Forum on “Increasing Accountability in American Higher Education”

Posted on November 18, 2009

Inside Higher Ed reports that a conference organized by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) yesterday sought to define accountability...

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Remarks by the President on Strengthening America’s Education System

Posted on November 17, 2009

The White House: Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release November 04, 2009 James C. Wright Middle School, Madison, Wisconsin 1:40 P.M. CST THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. Hello, Madison!...

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