When students take a statewide or a national test, they will often get results of how their individual scores align with others and how it fits within a scoring scale, such as on the composite or overall test scores for the ACT. But who determines what is considered a “passing” score? This process is called… Read More »
Teachers believe the Common Core standards in their states can improve how they teach writing, according to research from Michigan State University. However, they also find plenty of shortcomings with the standards—and with the associated state writing tests in particular. The new national survey, led by Gary Troia, is the first study of teacher perceptions… Read More »
Michigan State University faculty members played a key role in developing the new K-12 science standards approved by the State Board of Education on Tuesday. Joe Krajcik and Melanie Cooper, both Lappan-Phillips Professors of Science Education at MSU, were lead writers of the Next Generation Science Standards, which have now been adopted by 17 states… Read More »
Michigan State University researcher William Schmidt has created a free web-based tool to help American educators teach the Common Core State Standards in mathematics. Although the majority of U.S. states have voluntarily adopted the standards, many teachers still must use outdated textbooks or find other materials to ensure students meet the common set of learning… Read More »
On March 7, the Michigan Science Teachers Association (MSTA) will present Joseph Krajcik with its highest honor for contributions to science education: the 2014 George G. Mallinson Award. For his major contributions to science education, the award will be presented to Krajcik at the 2014 MSTA Conference, held at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Mich.… Read More »
Each year, 10 faculty members are chosen to receive Teacher-Scholar Awards at the Michigan State University Awards Convocation. Among the 2014 recipients is Kristen Bieda, assistant professor of teacher education. Bieda will receive the honor at the All-University Awards ceremony at MSU’s Wharton Center on Feb. 11. Bieda is an award-winning faculty member whose work… Read More »
Writing instruction in U.S. classrooms is “abysmal” and the Common Core State Standards don’t go far enough to address glaring gaps for students and teachers, a Michigan State University education scholar argues. In a new study, Gary Troia calls for a fresh approach to professional development for teachers who must help students meet the new… Read More »
Rigorous standards for math teacher preparation are needed to improve the quality of future math teachers in the United States – and the overall math instruction in K-12 schools, argues a Michigan State University scholar. New research led by William Schmidt shows some teacher education programs in the United States rank among the best in… Read More »
Improving vocabulary instruction for young students is the topic of assistant professor of teacher education Tanya Wright’s recently published book, All About Words: Increasing Vocabulary in the Common Core Classroom, Pre K-2. The work examines the divide between poor children and their privileged peers, through the lens of the Common Core State Standards in literacy.… Read More »
Driven by test-based accountability, schools are awash in data. These new accountability systems have forced educators to respond to policy in ways they have not before. To understand the extent of these changes, we must look across the K-12 educational system and into the expanding field of for- and non-profit educational reformers. A new book… Read More »
