Latest News and Comment from Education

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

UPDATE: Math requirements not aligned with Common Core + An exchange on controversial $100 million student database

An exchange on controversial $100 million student database:


Study: Math requirements not aligned with Common Core in many states

In a new sign that schools are not ready to fully embrace the Common Core State Standards, a report concludes that the large majority of states that have adopted the Core have not adjusted their math high school graduation requirements … Continue reading →


An exchange on controversial $100 million student database


schoolsHere is an exchange of letters about the controversial $100 million student databaselargely funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and operated by a new nonprofit organization, inBloom Inc. Privacy concerns about the database — which contains detailed information about millions of students — have been growing, and some states that initially signed up to participate in a pilot project have backed off.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten recently released this statement, saying in part:
 Any potential inBloom has to improve and personalize learning is being overshadowed by a growing lack of public trust in its early communications and operations, and genuine concerns about the security, privacy, sharing and exploitation of data.
The AFT asked inBloom funders for “clarification” of issues, and following are the exchange of letters between Weingarten and funders, the Carnegie Corp. of New Yor