'Thank a teacher' photo (c) 2011, Emily Mills - license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/

Here are a few recent useful posts and articles on educational policy issues:

Charter School Refugees is an excellent New York Times column by Andrea Gabor. I’m adding it to The Best Posts & Articles Analyzing Charter Schools.

‘If only American teachers were smarter…’ is from The Washington Post. I’m adding it to The Best Resources On Professional Development For Teachers.

The No. 1 trait of Americans’ favorite teachers is from The Washington Post.

Moving Forward without a Backward Glance: MOOCs and Technological Innovations is by Larry Cuban. I’m adding it to The Best Posts & Articles On MOOC’s.

The Downside of “Grit” is by Alfie Kohn. I still think it’s an important concept to help students learn. However, this kind of backlash is understandable since some proponents have been communicating it as the answer to many educational problems. In fact, it’s just one of many skills our students need to develop in order to be successful. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About “Grit.”

Has Teach for America reached its Waterloo? is by Amy Dean. I’m adding it to The Best Posts & Articles Raising Concerns About Teach For America.

Ed-Data is a great place to get info on California’s K-12 schools. I’m adding it to The Best Places To Get Reliable, Valid, Accessible & Useful Education Data.

Keep the ‘public’ in public school boards appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle. It’s a commentary on the fact that many school reformers are now not content attacking teacher unions — they’re going after school boards, too. Michelle Rhee started this trend awhile back.

TestingTalk.org Launches National Discussion About Common Core Tests is by Anthony Cody. I have previously posted about this new site.

Word Attack: “Objective” is a really exceptional post appearing in Failing Schools.

Three Practical Questions About PARCC & SBAC Testing is by Rick Hess. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About The “Next Generation” Of State Testing.