In 2019, Drew H. Gitomer, Dan Battey, and José Felipe Martínez published a paper detailing apparent violations of fundamental principles and norms in the reporting of technical information about the edTPA, a widely used high-stakes assessment for teacher licensure. In this article, they describe and criticize the lack of appropriate response to…

Writing in the April 2020 issue of Kappan, Tim Shriver and Roger Weissberg address a recent spate of reports and articles that have offered "constructive criticism" of the movement to promote social and emotional learning (SEL) in K-12 education. Despite a number of concerns that have been raised about SEL programs' scope,…

Historically, public schools have often used shaming techniques to discipline students, even though researchers have found shaming to be not just an ineffective means of curtailing misbehavior, but, more important, psychologically harmful to children. The author reviewed policy documents from nine leading charter management organizations and found…

Teachers' objections to an emphasis on narrative, descriptive evaluation and a de-emphasis on grades cannot rest on uninformed claims about what parents want. Decades of research show that grades don't lead to deeper understandings, increased intellectual risk-taking, or better performance on complex tasks. Similarly, conversations based around…

Why didn't China celebrate its stunning PISA performance? Why does Singapore blame its education for its inability to cultivate creative and entrepreneurial talents? Why don't the world's top scorers in international tests have the same level of entrepreneurial activities and capabilities? This essay uncovers the inconsistency between academic…

Two scenarios are presented for the future of university-based teacher education programs. In one, the faculty either ignores or fights against the criticisms of these schools, resulting in the demise of schools of education. In the other scenario, schools of education lead the way in reforming their enterprise, leading to string and successful…

Foundations must encourage rigorous debate over objectives, strategies, and outcomes as they become more engaged in policy-focused giving. In doing this, they must make it abundantly clear that they won't blacklist critics. The value of skeptics is that they raise unpleasant issues and make it possible for those inside an organizational bubble to…

In this article, the author responds to the comments made by Robert Bain and Jesus Garcia to his article entitled "Reinventing Social Studies." He says instead of discussing his suggested solutions to the problem, Bain tells everyone that there are and have been no problems in social studies education, that American citizens are well prepared, and…

Timothy Shanahan was surprised to learn that Elaine Garan and Steven Krashen had written yet two more critiques of the National Reading Panel (NRP) report. Each already has more NRP-related publications than any member of the panel, and both have been issuing their complaints over a longer period than the panel worked on the eight studies that…

Criticism of "A Nation at Risk," a report on the deteriorating state of American education published by the National Commission on Excellence in Education 20 years ago. Report stimulated state and federal educational reform efforts in the 1980s and 1990s. (Contains 13 references.) (PKP)

In this article, the author points out that it is discouraging to see critics still firing broadsides at strategic planning, an imperative as old as Western Civilization. Without exception, these salvos, whether prompted by misunderstanding or negative experience, lack both sensible tactic and sufficient charge, so they tend to quickly dissipate…

Draws parallel between 18th century British scientists unwillingness to recognize a non-scientist's discovery of how to determine longitude at sea with New York education leaders current unwillingness to consider alternatives to high-stakes testing. (PKP)

Criticizes claims by proponents of effectiveness of Success for All, New American Schools, and other schoolwide reform policies and programs. Argues that evidence from a substantial body of research indicates that these reform efforts have not raised the reading scores of low-performing students. (Contains 33 references.) (PKP)

Critical analysis of recent National Reading Panel report on teaching children to read based on meta-analysis of research on reading instruction. Asserts that because of problems with meta-analysis and interpretation, report's findings should not form sole basis for reading-instruction policy and legislation. Proposes four reading propositions.…

Authors take issue with an article by Elaine Garan, "Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors: A Critique of the National Reading Panel Report on Phonics," that appeared in the March 2001 issue of "Phi Delta Kappan" wherein she criticized the report's findings on the effectiveness of phonics instruction in helping children to read. (PKP)