Parents, here’s a question: What is NAEP? If you said, “the nation’s report card," that counts as a correct answer even though the initials don't match "National Assessment of Educational Progress." Results for the 2013 assessment came out this past week and remarkably they support both poles of education reform. So, everyone can keep arguing. ● If you’ve noticed that education reform arguments seem as negative as congressional politics, Stephanie Simon’s article about “nasty rhetoric” will help you grasp who said what about whom. ● PCM's Top 10 Influencer Bill Gates figures prominently this week. Besides reading his plan to improve the world, check out his “favorite course of all time,” which he has put online for free. ● If you are unfamiliar with ‘stereotype threat,’ read Daniel Willingham’s article and get familiar with this phenomenon. ● Xkcd’s template with answers to common questions about new technology is hilariously helpful.
Parenting
How to Get the Most Out of a Parent-Teacher Conference - Holly Korbey, Mind/Shift
5 Reasons Why It's a Great Time to Be a Dad - Jeremy Adam Smith, Fathers, Work and Family
Giving Good Praise to Girls: What Messages Stick - Katrina Schwartz, Mind/Shift
Why the PSAT is the Most Important Test for a High School Jr. - Pam Mashburn, AL.com
Good Parenting Skills: 7 Research-Backed Highlights - Eric Barker, Barking Up the Wrong Tree
Facebook Takes on Cyberbullies As More Teens Leave Site - Emily Siner, NPR
Learning
We All Start Out as Scientists, But Some of Us Forget - Viskontas & Mooney, Mother Jones
The Need for Pretend Play in Child Development - Scott Barry Kaufman, Scientific American
What's Behind Stereotype Threat? - Daniel Willingham, Science and Education Blog
Piano Lessons: Can You Force Kids to Develop Interests? - Annie Murphy Paul, Time
Prenatal Exercise May Give Newborns a Boost on Brain Development - Sarah Sparks, Ed Week
No Such Thing as 'Right-Brained' or 'Left-Brained' - American Psychological Association
Education
NAEP Scores Spark Debate on Teacher Accountability Changes - Liana Heitin, Education Week
When Policymakers Don't Understand Basic Statistics - Aaron Pallas, Hechinger Report
Nasty Name-Calling in Ed Reform - Stephanie Simon, Politico
Education Reform Gets Mixed Results in Election - Rick Hess, National Review
Taiwan's Parent Unions: Be Careful What You Wish For - Chester Finn, Education Next
Have You Heard About the 'Hour of Code' Initiative Dec 9-15? - Ali & Hadi Partovi, VentureBeat
Making the Next Generation of Educational Video Games - Sarah Butrymowicz, Time
My Plan to Improve Our World, And How You Can Help - Bill Gates, Wired
Gates Foundation Places Big Bet on Teacher Agenda - Stephen Sawchuck, Ed Week
Stereotypes About Math That Hold Americans Back - Jo Boaler, The Atlantic
Trim Recess? Some Schools Hold On to Child's Play - Eric Westervelt, NPR
Resources
Comet ISON, Visible in Binoculars, Now With a Double Tail - Deborah Netburn, L.A. Times
Bill Gates Wants You to Take His 'Favorite Course of All Time" for Free - B.Frank, GeekWire
8 Apps to Make You a Better Reader - Max Knoblauch, Mashable
Interview with Daniel Goleman on His New Book, Focus - Emma Haslett, Management Today
Best Podcasts for Parenting Advice - Peter Naughton, The Telegraph
Simple Answers to Questions That Get Asked About Every New Technology - xkcd
Read a few articles each week, and gain parent cortical mass! If you enjoy our weekly article roundup, please email it to a friend or share on social media. Thank you!