DFER's Blog
DFER Joins Chiefs for Change in Rejecting Moratorium on Accountability
May 21, 2013
Democrats for Education Reform Joins Chiefs for Change in Rejecting Moratorium on Accountability
Today, Chiefs for Change—a coalition of state school chiefs and leaders that support education reform—issued an open letter in support of the Common Core State Standards Initiative. In that letter, they argue that a “one-size-fits-all suspension of accountability measures denies the unique circumstances each state faces.” Chiefs for Change also argues that efforts to place a moratorium on accountability as states adjust to Common Core “overstates the challenge and undervalues our educators.”
Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) fully agrees with the position of Chiefs for Change. The clock never stops on the stakes attached to getting a high quality education for students. The reforms states are implementing now—some of which are attached to Common Core and some of which are not—were begun years ago and will take another two to three years to take hold. It’s hard to see logistical or political sense in suspending them or investing in a hasty one- or two-year effort to renegotiate another, temporary system.
This time and energy would be far better spent preparing for implementation and adjusting to the new standards. No doubt, there will challenges, obstacles, and adjustments during this time. However, this is precisely what the members of Chiefs for Change have taken into account within their own states, and they believe that they are well-prepared to move forward.
No implementation of a fundamentally different set of policies and practices ever has or ever will be perfect. However, we think it would be a mistake to turn a blind eye to the progress of our students—and in particular, the same underserved students who continually get left behind by calls for the status quo—while systems make needed refinements and improvements.
Supply Not Meeting Demand for NYC Parents
May 21, 2013
(Download the PDF for a closer view here.)
Created by DFER's Director of Teacher Policy, Omar Lopez
From DFER's Blog Series: Infographic Tuesdays
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“Culture of Countenance” in Teacher Observations May Set New Evaluation Reforms Up for Failure If Not Addressed
May 21, 2013
Contact:
Charles Barone | 202.674.3020 | CharlesBarone@dfer.org
Devin Boyle | 202.445.0416 | Devin@dfer.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New DFER Policy Paper Indicates that a “Culture of Countenance” in Teacher Observations May Set New Evaluation Reforms Up for Failure If Not Addressed
Washington, May 21, 2013 - Today, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) released the “Culture of Countenance: Teachers, Observers and the Effort to Reform Teacher Evaluations.” In the paper, DFER Policy Analyst and former teacher Mac LeBuhn writes that unless reformers can change the “culture of countenance,” new reforms to evaluations will continue the same quality-blind practices.
DFER News Roundup
May 17, 2013
By Devin Boyle, Director of Communications
DFER Seen & Heard:
- "Board pushes ahead on grad guidelines in CO," according to EdNews Colorado.
- In NY, "Bleak prognosis for education agenda after budget, corruption." (GothamSchools)
- "Common Core Supporters Firing Back," writes Andrew Ujifusa for EdWeek.
- DFER gets a nod in The Boston Globe piece, “Will the city’s new mayor be pro-charter?”
- WEA flexes political muscle in WA; DFER's Macfarlane tells The Seattle Times, “The proof will be in the pudding.”
- DFER's LeBuhn pens letter to NY Times, "Sunday Dialogue: A Talent for Teaching."
DFER Blog:
- DFER’s Blackmond writes, "Common Core: A Truly Shared Vision."
- Lisa Macfarlane asks, "Excellence for all, or just some?"
- “From the trenches: Action in CO,” by DFER’s Moira Cullen.
Advocacy, Policy Briefs, & Such:
- DFER commends leadership on passing STEM amendment to immigration package.
Watch Episodes of Education Reform News
May 16, 2013
Education Reform News, airing on CAN-TV in Chicago, focuses on pressing education issues facing Chicago’s school system and impacting families everywhere. The goal is to bring the community real stories, of real people, making a real difference for our students.
You can watch the episodes after they air here:
Episode 1: What is Education Reform?
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