Growing Pains

Charlie DePascale “To ensure greater flexibility in tracking individual students’ annual progress, growth models provide states with more options for a nuanced accountability system, while adhering to the core principles of No Child Left Behind.” — Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings It all seemed so simple in 2005 when states wanted to include growth inContinue reading “Growing Pains”

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…”

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”

It’s January. Can Johnny Read?

While we spent the fall waiting for PARCC to set performance standards, NAGB to release NAEP scores, and Congress to reauthorize ESEA, students and teachers across the country were going to school day after day, week after week, month after month.  Now it’s the middle of January and half of the school year is complete. Continue reading “It’s January. Can Johnny Read?”