Education Legislation

commentary

How Work-Based Learning Can Bring Employers and Students Together

Work-based learning experiences help college grads better prepare for work. WBL programs often serve as a workforce pipeline for companies. WBL is also successful at the K–12 level and at

Monica Mean, Gabriella C. Gonzalez

essay

Social and Emotional Learning Prepares Students for Life

The goal of social and emotional learning is to give students the skills they need to work in teams, communicate their ideas, and manage their emotions. Research can help educators determine which programs work and which ones qualify for federal funding under the Every Student Succeeds Act.

commentary

How States and Districts Can Leverage the Every Student Succeeds Act to Improve School Leadership

The Every Student Succeeds Act provides states and districts with new chances to invest in school leadership. A review of interventions can serve as a starting point to enact relevant solutions and build the evidence base for what works.

Rebecca Herman, Susan M. Gates

commentary

The Opt-Out Reckoning

Criticism of standardized testing is nearly as old as the testing itself. Will the opt-out movement promote meaningful and enduring changes in the educational system, and will these changes benefit the most at-risk and disadvantaged students?

Jonathan Schweig

commentary

The High Stakes of 'Soft Skills'

With the recent passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Congress is broadening what it considers success when it comes to judging school quality. One potential new indicator being discussed in some states is social and emotional learning, which has been linked to success later in life.

Laura S. Hamilton, Brian M. Stecher, et al.

commentary

Strengthening Our Democracy Starts in School

The teaching of civics and other social studies courses has hit hard times in most states, driven in part by accountability systems that reward schools for math and reading scores. Yet civic education is critical to the stability of our democracy and seems warranted now more than ever.

Anna Rosefsky Saavedra

commentary

Implementing Education Reforms to Enhance School Performance

Although countries differ greatly in how their education systems are structured, financed, and the extent to which they are centralized, they share common obstacles that undermine reform success. Beyond the obvious steps of providing adequate resources and professional development, there are ways to improve the implementation of school-wide reforms.

Rita T. Karam

commentary

How School Choice Could Disadvantage Low-Income Students

The flexibility to allow Title I-A funds to follow students across schools has a certain appeal. But it could have negative consequences for some of the poorest students.

Andrew McEachin, Brian M. Stecher, et al.

blog

The 2015 Summer Reading List for Congress

With Capitol Hill slowing for August recess, this list of must-read research and commentaries will help ensure that policymakers are ready to dive right back in this fall.

commentary

Reauthorizing ESEA: What We Know and Where We Should Go with School Improvement

Federal policy should ensure that school improvement is a priority, that schools adopt proven reforms that fit the school context, and that schools and their districts are held accountable when federal resources are used for school improvement.

Rebecca Herman, Brian M. Stecher, et al.

commentary

Reauthorizing ESEA: Four Recommendations to Improve Teaching Effectiveness

Policies aimed at boosting teaching effectiveness are a key component of a strong ESEA reauthorization. Addressing discrepancies in teacher quality helps teachers improve, retains effective teachers, and makes the teaching profession an attractive option for those contemplating careers.

Laura S. Hamilton, Brian M. Stecher, et al.

commentary

Making Room for New Approaches: Recommendations for ESEA Reauthorization That Support Innovation

As lawmakers consider the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, it is critical that in meeting their objectives they do not create unnecessary obstacles to the productive innovations being explored at schools, such as personalized learning.

John F. Pane @JohnFPane

commentary

Reauthorizing ESEA: Four Recommendations to Make Testing Work

Will Congress be able to reauthorize ESEA in 2015? Success will depend on legislators clearing several hurdles, such as decisions regarding teacher quality, school improvement, and charter schools. And at the center of the debate remains the issue of federal requirements for testing.

Laura S. Hamilton, Brian M. Stecher, et al.

commentary

Flexibility Is Key in Administration's Call for Teacher Equity Plans

Metrics like teacher experience and licensure reveal little about teachers' impact on student learning. The focus should be on disadvantaged students' access to effective teachers.

Jennifer L. Steele, John Engberg, et al.

commentary

The Long-Term Benefits of the Post-9/11 GI Bill for Military and Veteran Families

Almost 450,000 servicemembers have elected to transfer some portion of their GI Bill benefits, predominantly to their children. These numbers suggest the extent of the Bill's potential effects on social mobility and post-secondary educational attainment for the next generation.

Peter Buryk