How fair is our traditional grade scale?

Should we have or end minimum grade policies? Texas is struggling with this issue.

What is fair?

Traditional Scale:

A = 91-100
B = 81-90
C = 71-80
D = 61-70
F = 60-below

Student A has 4 B's (83's) and 1 F (a zero); this average equals 66, for a D overall.

Balanced Scale:

A = 41-50
B = 31-40
C = 21-30
D = 11-20
F = 0-10

Student B has 4 B's (33's) and 1 F (a zero); this average equals 26, for a C overall.

Which is fair?

Some educational controversies. . .and what to do?

Should we suspend this teacher. . .or praise the teacher?

What do we do when researchers disagree?

Charter schools aren't succeeding. . .

But Hoxby says, Yes they are!

But Hoxby is wrong?

And what is the truth about private school funding?

What makes us so dedicated to the ideals we embrace? Ayn Rand as icon of rugged individualism. . .

Furman graduate, George Singleton

We will be reading story, "The Opposite of Zero," by George Singleton. . .and laughing. . .

Dropout debate

Read an excellent example of the problem with our educational debates:

Scoppe misleading. . .

and Scoppe's response

Education Meeting

Our Mistake about Mistakes. . .

Getting It Wrong

Our biases. . .

Test your assumptions about race, religion, etc., at the Harvard site.

Great discussion of the flaws with test scores

See this article by Berliner

Hard Times at Douglass High

What should we do?

Who should be accountable for student success?

Sec. Duncan's talk re: NCLB

What do you think of this talk by Arne Duncan?

African American College Enrollment

See this Editorial, and note the online commentary. . .

Docs on Education

Dr. Henderson and I taught a May X course on educational documentaries.

See our blog for information on many fine documentaries related to education, including Hard Times at Douglass High

Standardized testing

Good Op-Ed in The State today questioning the use of standardized testing

Student participation?

Consider this study on student participation.

Recommended Reading

The work of Malcolm Gladwell:

Outliers

Blink