Charlie DePascale

And all the teachers are above average –

A case for a norm-referenced criterion Charlie DePascale, June 2014 This brief was written in response to questions about the use of norm-referenced criteria in teacher evaluation systems. Specifically, questions were raised about the fairness of systems in which the bottom ‘x’ percent of teachers were always identified as less effective regardless of their levelContinue reading “And all the teachers are above average –”

Citius, Altius, Fortius

Charlie DePascale We have barely recovered from the withdrawal symptoms that accompany the end of each Olympics games, and suddenly summer is over and another school year is upon us. As our attentions shifts back to designing new and improved school accountability systems under ESSA, this is a perfect time to reflect on lessonsContinue reading “Citius, Altius, Fortius”

One Small Step

Charlie DePascale Forty-seven years ago today, on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first people to walk on the surface of the moon. Their successful Apollo XI mission fulfilled the challenge proposed by President John F. Kennedy in a 1961 speech to Congress that “this nation should commit itself to achievingContinue reading “One Small Step”

We hold these truths to be self-evident…

Charlie DePascale (assisted by the words of Thomas Jefferson) We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When in the course of human events, significant resources are allocated to educationalContinue reading “We hold these truths to be self-evident…”

In the blink of an eye

Charlie DePascale Last month, I attended my 35th college reunion, where my classmates optimistically and encouragingly still were focused on looking forward (who we will be when we grow up and how we will change the world) rather than on looking back. One of the first events I attended at the reunion was a townContinue reading “In the blink of an eye”

Interval Scales, Unicorns, and Non-stick Pans

There are certain things that you hear about for the first time and with all your heart you want them to be real. Although your brain tells you to be skeptical, you desperately want those things to exist and to have the magical powers that people ascribe to them. For me, interval scales, unicorns, andContinue reading “Interval Scales, Unicorns, and Non-stick Pans”

Is that all there is?

One of the benefits of giving up a late Sunday afternoon to travel to the site of my Monday morning meeting is the opportunity to leisurely read the newest edition of the Late Late Bell from the Fordham Institute. Last Sunday, as the Amtrak Northeast Regional rumbled toward Providence, I read the following in theContinue reading “Is that all there is?”

This Is My Fight Song

Arizona, Connecticut, and a fuchsia wristband Charlie DePascale Last weekend I attended a concert in Boston with my daughter; an opportunity that has become more rare and more appreciated since she left for college four years ago. We arrived early and waited in line to hear Rachel Platten perform her breakout hit Fight SongContinue reading “This Is My Fight Song”

It’s Déjà vu All Over Again

Charlie DePascale The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results. (source unkown) Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (Santayana) Newman! (Seinfeld) This is one of those times when there are so many quotes that describe the situation so wellContinue reading “It’s Déjà vu All Over Again”

The Road to Hell and High-Quality Assessment

It is said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. I fear that those building the road to next generation, high-quality assessments may be using the same construction crew. At the beginning of this month, Secretary King released promised guidance to states as a follow-up to President Obama’s Testing ActionContinue reading “The Road to Hell and High-Quality Assessment”