Monthly Archives: November 2010

According to the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), the disciplines in which the largest fraction of students have an undergraduate research experience with faculty are biochemistry, biophysics, physics and chemistry. In biochemistry, biophysics and physics, about 60% of undergraduates … Continue reading →

A study published in the journal Science by a group of researchers from the University of Colorado and Stanford reports that psychological factors contribute to a gap between men and women in achievement in introductory physics courses, and that an … Continue reading →

The US Department of Education released the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – often called the “Nation’s Report Card” – for 12th graders on Thursday.  It was the first time in the history of NAEP testing … Continue reading →

While I don’t agree with everything in this Chicago Tribune op-ed on rising university tuition (the op-ed is specifically about California), the piece is certainly provocative.  How’s this? By raising tuition for most students, the state could afford to offer … Continue reading →

The Orlando Sentinel’s Lauren Roth points out the obvious this morning:   “Two seemingly contradictory reports last week underscored the problem: One showed high-school-graduation rates at historic highs throughout the state. The other ranked Florida 12th-graders below the national average on … Continue reading →

Debra Walker, a former school board member from Monroe County, posted a comment several days ago suggesting that all teachers should earn a bachelor’s degree in the content area in which they are planning to teach and then earn a … Continue reading →

Florida’s colleges of education are facing a one-two fiscal punch this spring. The projected $2.5 billion shortfall in the state budget (and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better) is almost certain to impact the state’s public universities, … Continue reading →

As Leslie Postal reports at School Zone, educational reform leaders are taking aim at the conventional salary bumps for teachers having masters’ degrees.  The Associated Press (linked here via the Washington Post) quoted Bill Gates arguing that masters’ degree do … Continue reading →

Finally, after all the sensational coverage of the UCF cheating scandal, some thoughtful journalism: Leslie Postal at the Orlando Sentinel discusses the hazards of using test banks.  A sample:   “Some hailed Quinn as a tough teacher taking a strong stand … Continue reading →

Florida found itself below the national averages in both reading and math as state-by-state results were released today for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) at the 12th grade level for the first time in NAEP history. Leslie Postal … Continue reading →