Jacob Kantor’s Post

More school hours doesn't always equate to better results. I empathize with schools that are trying to make up for lost learning during the pandemic and deal with the increase of school absences. Often schools that have the toughest challenges (poverty), try to counteract them with more school hours when they can. States that rank highest for education (Massachusetts and New Jersey) fall on the lower end of the spectrum for class time. State funding usually makes a bigger difference than hours in my opinion. #publicschools

The results of the recent Pew Research survey on public K-12 education in the US are out, and they're concerning. Over half of the respondents believe that the education system is headed in the wrong direction, with personal politics in the classroom cited as a significant reason. While some blame the lack of core learning, others see a shift towards social-emotional learning. Interestingly, the survey finds a political divide. As education professionals, it's crucial that we address this divide and work towards creating positive change in our schools. What do you think are the major reasons for this divide, and what changes would you like to see in education? Share your thoughts in the comments below. #EducationSurvey #PublicEducation View the full study here: https://lnkd.in/eeDmN8ci

New from Vladimir Kogan: In the 1990 standardized tests became entrenched in American K–12 schools as nearly every state, and later the federawl government, adopted policies that mandated annual testing and held schools accountable for the results. In the ensuing decades, however, educators and policymakers began to recognize that high-stakes testing was not living up to its promise and that the single-minded focus on test scores had produced unintended (although, in retrospect, entirely predictable) consequences. Increasingly, school districts across the country are now turning to an alternative evaluation tool—surveys that ask students to rate their teachers and their schools on various metrics of quality and effectiveness. This growing use of evaluative surveys in K–12 reflects a rare consensus among education policy wonks and activists, bringing together strange ideological bedfellows who all believe surveys can help achieve their goals and priorities. Unfortunately, there is a risk that education leaders will make the same mistakes with surveys that they did with standardized tests—overpromising and not thinking through perverse incentives. Fortunately, it’s not too late to consider carefully both the promise and the likely pitfalls of using student surveys as a measure of teacher and school performance. Keep reading: https://lnkd.in/gNaS4uyA

📊From absenteeism to grade inflation, these 14 charts capture the realities shaping #K12 education.  Our focus? #9: As we have a strong stance on the notion of rethinking teacher certification. The article highlights research from Massachusetts, where emergency credentials were issued to teaching candidates during the pandemic. Emergency certified teachers perform similarly to traditionally trained educators. This challenges conventional notions of how we prepare new teachers and underscores the potential for a more diverse and effective teaching workforce.  Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gbr7ta-q #EducationResearch #TeacherCertification #ushca #k12education #educationequity #teachers #humancapitalmanagement

What state you live in can determine the amount of instructional days and number of hours for student learning. #AERA #Geographymatters #instructionaltime #k12studentlearning

Despite challenges during the pandemic, new federal data reveals a promising trend: enrollment in teacher prep programs has increased or stabilized in 40 states! 🌟 From 2018 to 2022, teacher prep enrollment grew by 12% nationally, adding over 46,000 future educators to the field. However, this growth still isn't enough to fully address the teacher shortages plaguing many regions. Federal pandemic relief funds, new laws supporting student teachers, and innovative programs are making a difference, but the journey to fill the 55,000 open teaching positions nationwide continues. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gTusw38x #Education #Teachers #TeacherPrep #PandemicRecovery #EducationNews #The74Million #ushca #teacherequity #hrineducation #education #k12education

Half of all MA High Schools Don't Abide by State Recommended Graduation Requirements? This is not surprising. What is surprising is this tidbit (directly from the article): "Not only did the report find that half of all high schools lack graduation requirements that meet MassCore’s recommended program of study, schools with wealthier student bodies are less likely to require MassCore than schools with a greater proportion of low-income students. The analysis also looked at school size, and found that extra-large schools with 1,500 students or more were less likely to require MassCore compared with smaller schools." This is frightening, given that Massachusetts is considered the top state for public school education in the United States. I guess this is why we gets calls from parents in the wealthiest suburbs every week, and they are complaining that their children are not learning anything in their local public schools, and they want to send their children to private schools. Two of our students recently reported that in their top ranked suburban public middle school, every 6th block in English the teacher gives them a: "Starbucks and Chill" period, where they can bring their favorite beverage and relax, no work necessary for the 45-minute class! This teacher is very popular with her students, but do the parents know what is going on, and how their property tax money is being wasted? https://lnkd.in/d7qg86ZK

https://lnkd.in/euVYwu7C The current state of America's education system is deeply concerning, with students bearing the brunt of systemic failures. From insufficient resources to outdated curricula, the issues are manifold and complex. An insightful article by The 74 Million titled "America’s Education System Is a Mess, and It’s Students Who Are Paying the Price" sheds light on these critical challenges and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform. At Student Advocates of Austin, we are committed to addressing these very issues by providing dedicated advocacy services for students and their families. Our mission is to empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the educational landscape and ensure their children receive the support they deserve. The article highlights several key points including: Lack of Resources: Many schools are struggling with inadequate funding, leading to overcrowded classrooms and insufficient support for students. Some of those issues include: Outdated Curricula: The current education system often fails to prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce. Inequities in Education: There is a significant disparity in educational outcomes between different socioeconomic groups, exacerbating existing inequalities. By understanding these issues, we can better advocate for policies and practices that will improve our education system. Student Advocates of Austin is here to support families in navigating these challenges, advocating for necessary changes, and ensuring that every student has access to a quality education. I highly recommend reading the full article to gain a deeper understanding of the systemic issues affecting our schools and the urgent need for reform. Read the full article: America’s Education System Is a Mess, and It’s Students Who Are Paying the Price. Together, we can work towards creating a more equitable and effective education system. #EducationReform #StudentAdvocacy #StudentAdvocatesOfAustin

New data shows steady growth for Washington state students in three key areas. Regular attendance for the 2022–2023 school year is up 2.5% from the 2021–2022 school year, as is the percentage of students who passed all their ninth-grade courses. More students also completed dual credit courses, which allow students the opportunity to earn both high school and college-level credit at the same time. #WAedu

There are many reasons why some students do better in a nontraditional education model.💡 Learn why flexibility empowers students and how charter schools are stepping up to meet this challenge. https://hubs.ly/Q02MnHjY0