Learn about Achieve

Achieve was formed in 1996 as an independent, bi-partisan, non-profit education reform organization.  It was ranked as one of the most influential education policy organizations in the nation by Education Week in 2006. They managed the American Diploma Project (ADP) Network, the PARCC consortium, and the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) development effort. Michigan is a member of the ADP Network and a lead partner state in the NGSS effort. Achieve's agenda focuses on college readiness, common core standard achievement, P-20 data systems and accountability.

Higher Education Today discusses Schools of Education

The University of the District of Columbia hosts a lively discussion about Schools of Education with Dr. Margaret Crocco, Dean of the University of Iowa College of Education and Dr. Richard Vedder, Director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. 

A Framework for K-12 Science Education

National Academies Press new publication, A Framework for K-12 Science Education: Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, outlines expectations for students in science and engineering in K-12, and the revisions to curriculum, instruction, assessemnt and professional development for educators that needs to occur to meet these expectations.

Failing Detroit schools moved to a new system

The Associated Press reported the Governor, Rick Snyder, and Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts, are moving the worst of Detroit schools to a new school system.  Eastern Michigan University is partnering with Detroit on the plan and will train teachers hired at the new system's schools.  Snyder also announced the creation of a program to raise money to help Detroit students attend college.

Education Secretary reports 82% of schools could be labeled as failing

During a House Education Committee hearing on March 9, the Department of Education's 2012 budget request, Arne Duncan reports on the state of education and the need for NCLB reform. You can watch the hearing here:  C-SPAN.org Sec. Duncan Defends TY2012 Education Budget

Rebuilding Detroit Public Schools: A Documentary

Michigan Radio looks at school reform in Detroit and New Orleans in its 2 week series Rebuilding Detroit Schools: A Documentary.
Their stories include interviews with students and transcript from a special call-in show hosted by Charity Nebbe called “A Tale of Two Cities: Lessons the Motor City Can Learn From the Crescent City,", which aired on both Michigan Radio and WWNO New Orleans.

Building a Better Teacher

From Sunday March 8 New York Times Magazine, Doug Lemov a former teacher, a principal, charter-school founder, and now educational consultant, discusses the qualities of effective teachers.

New Yorker profiles Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education

The February 1 issue of the New Yorker offers a profile of Arne Duncan, the current US Secretary of Education under the Obama administration. Wayne State affiliates can access the full article through our ProQuest Research Library database subscription here:

Class Warrior: Arne Duncan's bid to shake up schools

Fixing Michigan's schools: A five-part report

From the Sunday, Feburary 7 Detroit News and Free Press, a five-part report on Michigan Schools, Fixing Michigan's Schools, discusses the state of education and college (and workplace) preparation. Includes an Education Scorecard and sample questions from the NAEP and the MEAP.

A new task force addresses shortcomings in education reform

"A new task force of national policy experts with diverse religious and political affiliations, in public policy fields including education, social welfare, health, housing, and civil rights today launched a campaign calling for a “Broader, Bolder Approach to Education” to break a decades-long cycle of reform efforts that promised much and have achieved far too little.

Co-chaired by Helen Ladd, a Duke University professor of public policy studies, Pedro Noguera, a sociologist at New York University and an expert on educational policy, and Tom Payzant, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a former Boston schools superintendent and U.S. assistant secretary of education, the Task Force’s framework points to the many flaws in the approach of the current No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law and charges that the nation's education and youth development policy has erred by relying on school improvement alone to raise achievement levels of disadvantaged children. Task Force News Release, June 10, 2008