Learning Policy Institute’s Post

This report is right - we face a public emergency in education. The reality is our students are NOT learning at the levels they need to, and we as a nation are losing our competitive edge. Let's breakdown the four recommendations they have: (1) "Re-focus on student outcomes." That feels 100% right - combine test scores with some non-test score evaluations of student achievement and ideally do so with an external reviewer (i.e. AP exams). (2) "Minimizing regulations and mandates in favor of embracing incentives." We need WAY more specificity here since we need some regulations (student safety and students with disabilities) and some incentives (post-secondary enrollment) (3) "Cultivating and rewarding professional mastery in the education workforce." 100% agreed - we need teacher evaluations with a combination of test scores, independent observations, and student surveys. We need to pay the best teachers more and phase out the ones who are not effective. (4) Flipping the system “from top-down to bottom-up.” Not sure what this means so need more specifics. https://lnkd.in/gAF7_J9Z  

What do state policymakers need to know about education challenges and solutions as they gear up for 2025 legislative sessions? Register for this 4-part webinar series in December with our friends at the Learning Policy Institute! https://lnkd.in/gDgJfZW6

Leave MCAS testing alone. I will also be voting NO but for different reasons related to equity. Here are two: My Son was an Exceptional Tester; His School Failed Him. My son is a processor. Given the time and space to undertake a task, he will excel at it. Over the years, as a student, he received numerous awards for achievement on standardized tests. This was true when we lived in Virginia, Kentucky, and even in Massachusetts. He is an exceptional test taker. Despite this, by the time he was midway through his junior year, I had become completely fed up with the lack of rigor, teachers who could not pronounce his name properly halfway through the school year, and the school’s continual failure to meet his accommodations per his 504 plan. I have had educators call him lazy, in light of his struggles; another laughed at him when he asked for a break after experiencing overwhelm due to anxiety. I never saw more care for my son’s future than the day I told his high school counselor that he would not be returning the following year. We instead, started college early, and he is on track to earn his degree at a pace and in a program in which he feels engaged and seen. Being a strong test taker did not serve my son, however it also was not the core issue. Focusing on MCAS testing is a distraction, especially when besides creating a Mass Core requirement, there is nothing designed to replace that assessment. It is a band aid that will cause more challenges than it seeks to remove. There are more actions that schools can take to create achievement, equity and belonging for all students, including developing anti-racism and equity analysis amongst all its stakeholders. College Level Learners Struggle to Form a Complete Sentence. I currently teach English at the College Level - amongst many other endeavors ;-). I have experienced and heard my college professor friends parrot the same sentiments. We have to spend an unbelievable amount of time teaching and reteaching foundational English skills. I have adult learners who cannot identify parts of speech, struggle with pronoun reference, and are unable to write a basic paragraph. I am teaching similar skills that I taught in my 3rd grade ELA classroom. That is scary. I am a firm believer that good writers make good communicators. Good writers also make good readers. When we are unable to communicate we cannot engage. We are no longer participants in our experiences. It creates space for things to just “happen” to us. In preparing students for the MCAS requirement, we spend a lot of time crafting, evaluating and revising a range of writing styles. While we could do more to prepare our learners, removing this requirement will create even more of a disparity in students’ ability to build strong communication skills. These are just two reasons. What are your thoughts? Is removing the MCAS requirement solving an equity issue, or simply a bandaid?

2025 Legislative Prep Session: Education Challenges and Solutions From policies that help build and retain the teacher workforce to ones that help eliminate absenteeism and address emerging education funding issues, there are many #EdPolicy challenges for state policymakers and leaders to prioritize in 2025. Learning Policy Institute, Education Commission of the States, National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), and National Conference of State Legislatures partnered on a 4-part webinar series with the most up-to-date research, tools, and examples of effective, evidence-based state policy approaches.  1️⃣ Building and Retaining the Teacher Workforce 2️⃣ Long-Term Solutions to Teacher Shortages 3️⃣ Eliminating Chronic Absenteeism 4️⃣ Emerging Topics in Education Finance Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gHbhqy2H

What do state policymakers need to know about education challenges and solutions as they gear up for 2025 legislative sessions? Join the Learning Policy Institute’s 4-part webinar series in December to learn more about: 1️⃣ Building and Retaining the Teacher Workforce 2️⃣ Long-Term Solutions to Teacher Shortages 3️⃣ Eliminating Chronic Absenteeism 4️⃣ Emerging Topics in Education Finance Register: https://lnkd.in/gYzMU9S6

I recently came across an article that got me thinking deeply about the ongoing transformation of our education system. The focus of the discussion was on shifting from merely providing access to ensuring the quality of education. Despite the widespread enrollment success achieved by the Right to Education Act, it turns out that access doesn't necessarily equate to quality learning which ideally is a must. The article pointed out that 15 years after the RTE Act, the focus is now on the National Education Policy 2020, which calls for the establishment of an independent body to oversee and uplift school standards nationwide. It’s a pivotal moment to redefine what we measure in education—shifting our focus to actual learning outcomes rather than just the infrastructure of school facilities or I would say bringing the school closer to people. For those of us passionate about education reform, this represents a crucial turning point. We are reminded that ensuring quality education requires more than just policy declarations; it demands concrete actions and changes at both the state and central levels to bring out some tangible improvements in the learners. From my perspective, this highlights the essential role of continuous assessment and improvement in our education policies. It's not just about setting up schools and filling classrooms but about nurturing environments that genuinely enhance learning. As we move forward, our strategies must evolve to meet these goals, ensuring that every child receives not just an education but one that is truly valuable and transformative. This means pushing for policies that go beyond the basics and striving for excellence in every aspect of our educational framework. As a parent, I also worry about how would I keep a tab on it and understand the improvement hence hoping the policy maker to be more concerned for parents to help them keep track on what was expected and what is actually delivered. #education #policychanges #rteact #righttoeducation #qualityeducation #nationaleducationpolicy2020

Better Results with Lower Spending: Insights from Public Education in Massachusetts and New York A new report by the Empire Center reveals that Massachusetts achieves superior academic outcomes while spending less per student compared to New York. Key factors include stronger governance and comprehensive reforms linking funding to accountability. For New York to improve, similar reforms are suggested, such as allowing the governor to select the Board of Regents and emphasizing high-quality standards and teacher preparation. https://lnkd.in/e2ZQT9QV

In a new report, authors Dan Lips and Robert Bellafiore explore their agenda to strengthen education R&D in the U.S. They discuss best practices for improving learning and instruction, and increasing public transparency about the condition of American education. Find out more about their agenda here: https://lnkd.in/gRx2KfQA

There is decreasing trust in healthcare and post-secondary education in the United States. I wonder how much of that stems from our difficulty balancing the for-profit/financially driven nature of our industry with our fiduciary duty to patients and learners. It is our responsibility to assess ourselves and our institutions/practices and be part of the solution. https://lnkd.in/g4Jrhf8S