A Harvard Man’s Critique of Affirmative Action

…whatever teacher quality problem we have is mostly a supply problem. Administrators mostly know which teachers on staff they want (or don’t), but doubt they can find better replacements. This supply problem is worsened by the fact that helping individual teachers improve is difficult to do.
PA Bruno

The Stability And Fairness Of New York City's School Ratings

A focus on growth appears to have two main impacts: ratings are less stable year over year and student demographics are less powerful predictors of letter grades than is typical.

I wish Di Carlo had focused more on the peer grouping that NYC does because it is a unique feature. I also wish he would discussed the limitations of attempting this kind of grouping in districts or states that aren’t nearly as massive as NYC.

(via Instapaper)

Romney's Comments About Parents, Early Ed Raise Eyebrows

The Promise of "Clustering" in Scaling Up Reform

I’m a huge fan of how MassInsight is thinking about system-level reform.

The Internal Battle Over Charter Schools

My interest in charter is mainly driven by their potential to redefine the SEA and LEA relationship to schools. They offer the opportunity to restructure accountability and governance and invite potential for innovation through increasing site-based autonomy.

Is everything you’ve heard about failing schools wrong?

Bruno: Don't (Just) Blame TFA For Districts Hiring Their Teachers

Thompson: SIG Failure Explained

What is the reality of student mobility in Ohio? Fordham study will find out

Student mobility results in Ohio commissioned by Fordham