The most talked-about topic this week covered the feasibility of new tests used for accountability. These new high stakes tests, aligned to the academically challenging common core standards, were rolled out in NY, causing a hub bub. As predicted, parents were not happy. Find out why. ● A survey released this week clarifies 3 ways parents want to be involved in their kids’ educations. Where do you fit? ● Hear PCM's Top Influencers Bill Gates, Diane Ravitch, Arne Duncan, and Michelle Rhee talk about testing, teacher evaluations based on student test scores, and the rationale for universal pre-school. ● Learn more about curiosity, creativity, unsticking misconceptions, and the role of background knowledge to critical thinking skills. ● Be sure to read about the Digital Public Library of America!
Parenting
Toddlers and Touchscreens: Scourge or Salvation? - Anya Kamenetz, Hechinger Report
Not All Parents Want To Be PTA Moms - Joanne Jacobs, Linking and Thinking on Education
Organizations Vie for Parent Attention with 'Report Cards' - Michele Molnar, Education Week
Authoritarian Parenting: What Happens to the Kids? - Gwen Dewar, Parenting Science
The Kids Are Not Alright? - Polly Palumbo, Momma Data
The Girl Scouts' VERY Cool New Badge - Krystie Yandoli, Huff Post Teen
Helping Your Kids Avoid Alcohol Pitfalls in Shift to College - Cleveland & Ward, EurekaAlert!
Measuring College Prestige vs. Price - Paul Sullivan, New York Times
Learning
How to Stimulate Curiosity and Promote Learning - Annie Murphy Paul, TIME
Why Teenagers Really Do Need an Extra Hour in Bed - Russell Foster, New Scientist
How To Unlearn Mistaken Ideas - Annie Murphy Paul, The Brilliant Blog
Misconceptions about Critical Thinking and Knowledge - Lisa Hansel, Core Knowledge Blog
Is It Possible to Measure Creativity? - Elizabeth Blair, Mind/Shift
Education
Test Resentment and the Politics of the Common Core - Dana Goldstein
In an Era of Global Competition, What Exactly Are We Testing For? - K. Schwartz, Mind/Shift
Michelle Rhee and the Unproven Teacher Evaluation - Karin Klein, L.A. Times
Bill Gates On Education: "We Can Make Massive Strides" - Anya Kamenetz, Fast Company
Clueless Bill Gates, Redux - Diane Ravitch, Diane Ravitch's Blog
High-Quality Preschool is a Sure Path to the Middle Class - Arne Duncan, Washington Post
How High-Poverty Schools Are Getting It Done - Karin Chenoweth & Christina Theokas, ASCD
What Education Reform Looks Like - Joel Klein, Wall Street Journal
Questioning the Mission of College - Frank Bruni, New York Times
And the National Teacher of the Year Is... - Elizabeth Chuck, U.S. News
Resources
U.S. News Releases 2013 Best High Schools Rankings - Kelsey Sheehy, U.S. News
Presenting ... the Digital Public Library of America! - Rebecca J. Rosen, The Atlantic
Life360 Wins as Smartphones Become Family Utilities - Ryan Kim, GigaOm
5 Tools to Help Your Child Learn the Pencil Grip - Andrea Updyke, BabyCenter
Shakespeare's Sonnets - A Terrific App (ages 14 +) - Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books
