US 12th graders stagnant in reading & math
12th graders still perform about the same in math and reading as they did in 2009, despite our use of higher learning standards. Interesting.
School News
Computer scoring exposed
An article on an Education Week blog inaccurately characterizes the world of human and computer scoring of student-written essays.
Why test questions can't be discussed in public
Some principals in N.Y. evaluated the round of Common Core-aligned state tests as being of low quality. We don't know, because we can't see the questions.
Nigerian schoolgirls held captive by kidnapper
Schoolgirls in Nigeria were abducted on April 14, and many are still missing. Now an Islamist group has claimed responsibility and kidnapped 8 more girls.
Many people in IL and Md. want to move out of state
A recent Gallup poll shows that many people who now live in Maryland and Illinois would like to move to another state. Few will do so in the next 12 months.
IL elementary students to compete in scholastic bowl
The IL Elementary School Scholastic Bowl comes to Peoria on May 9. Teams have advanced through sectionals and now meet for the state championship.
18% of Ivy League students use stimulants to help study
Students at top schools misuse ADHD drugs like Ritalin to help them study, new research shows, reported by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Do students get stabbed more frequently these days?
Discipline changes in Baltimore and an increase in violence could shine a light on proposed IL legislation that could make schools less safe.
Barrington middle schoolers charged in sexting case
A sexting case in IL shows the danger of putting any kind of data online: it never goes away and can have long-lasting repercussions.
National TOY: Stop blaming teachers; Common Core
The National Teacher of the Year is honored at the White House and gives an interview in which he discusses, among other things, the Common Core.