Connect for Kids / Child Advocacy 360 / Youth Policy Action Center - School Reform

Race to the Top - Driving a Race to Reform?

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:03:31 -0600

Money makes a lot of things happen, but can it drive more states to tackle comprehensive school reform? States have been working hard to put in place the changes required to apply for the Race to the Top funds. Our Jan Richter looks at what it means, and what states are doing to try to earn the money.

Exploring Quality Choices: Vouchers

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:38:27 -0500

This publication presents an in-depth look at Annie E. Casey Foundation's investment in the Washington, DC voucher
effort and summarizes results and lessons learned so far. It also includes stories about the

Creating Quality Choices: Charters

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:35:51 -0500

This publication provides an overview of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s investments in chartering along
with selected results and lessons learned. It also presents stories about two successful charter

Vibrant Neighborhoods, Successful Schools: What the Federal Government Can Do to Foster Both

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:52:29 -0500

Every parent recognizes the inextricable connections between where we live and the quality of our children's education. Although public policies have historically contributed to disparities in both neighborhood affordability and school quality, federal programs focused on affordable housing rarely take public schools into account and school officials typically assume that they have no influence over housing patterns.

The Narrowing Gap in New York City Teacher Qualifications and Implications for Student Achievement in High-Poverty Schools

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:18:48 -0500

This important research explores the effects of district policy interventions on the distribution of teacher qualifications and student achievement. Authors use a 5-year span of individual teacher- and student-level longitudinal data from New York City (NYC) from 2000 through 2005 to estimate the differences in the effectiveness of teachers entering NYC schools through different pathways to teaching.

Assessing the Potential of Using Value Added-Estimates of Teacher Job Performance for Making Tenure Decisions

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:12:59 -0500

Using individual teacher and student-level longitudinal data from North Carolina, this research brief presents selected findings from work examining the stability of value-added model estimates of teacher effectiveness, focusing on their implication for teacher tenure policies and making high stakes personnel decisions.

Promoting Economic Mobility By Increasing Postsecondary Education

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:28:34 -0500

A college education strongly affects whether or not children from poor or low-income families move up the economic ladder when they become adults. But they are less likely to enroll in either two- or four-year colleges, and less likely to complete a degree when they do, relative to those from middle- and upper-income families — even after accounting for differences in academic preparation.

U.S. Ed Department Outlines Guidelines for "Race to the Top"

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:28:51 -0500

Education Secretary Duncan is outlining priorities for the "Race to the Top" Fund. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, states must offer assurances that they are making progress in adopting rigorous standards; recruiting and retaining effective teachers where they are needed most; turning around low-performing schools; and building data systems to track student achievement and teacher effectiveness.

The Role of Expanded Learning Opportunities in 21st Century Community Learning Center Middle School Programs

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:47:35 -0600

This three-year longitudinal study found an increase in academic achievement and positive youth development for participants in the program over nonparticipants. On February 20, 2009 the American Youth Policy Forum will explore what makes the Childrens Aid approach distinctive.

Change the Game: Create a Federal Innovation Office for Ed

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:29:27 -0600

The Brookings Institution is calling on the federal government to "change the game" in public education by creating a federal Office of Educational Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Department of Education.

Changing the Odds for Children at Risk: An Interview with Susan B. Neuman

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:24:53 -0600

You may know Dr. Susan B. Neuman as the apostate former Bush administration official who publicly opposes No Child Left Behind in its current form and has made headlines by arguing that schools alone cannot close achievement gaps. But Neuman has received less attention for her affirmative vision of what we can do to improve poor students' odds dramatically—she shares her vision with Claus von Zastrow in this Public School Insights interview (with audio).

“Kid-Powered”: Turning a County-Owned Farm into an Earth School

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:10:17 -0600

Concerned that young people were increasingly disconnected from the real (read: natural) world, actress and teacher Barbara Sarbin turned a county farm into a hands-on Earth School. Here’s a look at how she did it.

The Community Agenda for America's Public SchoolsIn September 2008, the Coalition for Community Schools launched an action plan

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:48:43 -0500

In September 2008, the Coalition for Community Schools launched an action plan with specific strategies to underscore the need for community-school partnerships in ensuring that all children are ready to learn and succeed. The plan is endorsed by numerous national and local education, youth development, community engagement, health and social

Making a Difference? The Effects of Teach for America in High School

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:53:06 -0500

This study examined whether having a Teach For America (TFA) teacher instead of a
non-TFA teacher affects the academic performance of high school students. The study
analyzed data from 23 North Carolina school districts that hired at least one TFA

NEA on Why the No Child Left Behind Act Must Be Overhauled

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:03:52 -0500

The National Education Association (NEA) says the federal education law faces "many policy flaws, false assumptions, unintended consequences, and botched implementation" and offers specific recommendations for fundamental changes to improve it.