A Sad Example, One of Many

After freshman year, grants and scholarships may disappear for any number of reasons — some justified, some not. Source: Why Upperclassmen Lose Financial Aid – The New York Times I commented. This young lady sounds depressingly like another example of what our corrupted system of higher education has been doing to young people – and […]

Teach Your Teachers Well – The New York Times Great Idea, But is it Just Talk?

How­ adults learn defines how children learn. Source: Teach Your Teachers Well – The New York Times I’m a former math professor. From all that I’ve seen, few colleges are even trying to teach teachers “well”. Let me explain what really happens. STEP ONE Major “elite” universities get large “national need” grants to produce American […]

The Counterfeit High School Diploma – The New York Times (Do They See the Connection?)

Most states still have weak curriculums and graduation requirements that make high school diplomas useless. Source: The Counterfeit High School Diploma – The New York Times I tried to point out the connection. As a former math professor, I am quite aware of the cause of the problem – and it’s not high school. It’s […]

Very Important Elucidating New Data

At some expensive colleges, the salaries of students 10 years after enrollment are bleak, and there is an earnings gender gap at every top university. Source: Gaps in Alumni Earnings Stand Out in Release of College Data – The New York Times I commented on the article, but I will be posting more comments about […]

Puts His Finger on the K-12 Problem, Just Needs to Realize Cause.

But a lot of the training they get in school is. We can do better. Source: Teachers Aren’t Dumb – The New York Times I commented. Professor Willingham does us a service by focusing our attention on the symptom – too many teachers don’t know their subject – but he misses the cause. He misses […]

“How Common Core Can Help in the Battle of Skills vs. Knowledge – The New York Times” Sure, But Who Can Teach It?

High-stakes testing isn’t the only problem, and it’s time for schools to change their approach. Source: How Common Core Can Help in the Battle of Skills vs. Knowledge – The New York Times My view: This cannot be stated enough: The reason K-12 is so bad is because college is so bad. I know this. […]

Standardized Tests (For Colleges, Through K-12 Students) Is the Answer

An ill-conceived boycott could damage educational reform and undermine the Common Core standards. Source: Opting Out of Standardized Tests Isn’t the Answer – The New York Times I’m a former math professor. The k-12 problem is obvious – and testing can fix it, but not the way most people think. The problem is not the […]

Teacher Shortages Spur a Nationwide Hiring Scramble (Credentials Optional)

Just a few years after the recession caused widespread layoffs for teachers, school districts now find themselves with numerous job vacancies and few qualified candidates to choose from. Source: Teacher Shortages Spur a Nationwide Hiring Scramble (Credentials Optional I don’t know if this will be good or bad.  It could be bad if colleges irresponsibly […]

‘Opt Out’? (Part II) It’s Going to Cost Them

A small, if vocal, movement urging parents to have their children sit out standardized exams took off this year, maturing from scattered displays of disobedience into a widespread rebuke. Source: ‘Opt Out’ Becomes Anti-Test Rallying Cry in New York State – NYTimes.com I commented further. Don’t test? Then, according to Harvard professor, and MacArthur Fellow, […]