First Bell 1-9-13

yes Pamela Tatz / January 9, 2013

A first look at today's most important education news:

Last night, PBS Frontline profiled Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of D.C. schools, and raised questions about fabricated student test scores during her tenure. The Education Department, however, has found no evidence substantiating such claims. (PBS Frontline)

Under new plan by California State Superintendent Tom Torlakson, the state’s second graders will not be tested in math and English next year—and most high school tests will not be dropped, too. (Los Angeles Times)

On Tuesday afternoon, the Gates Foundation released the third piece of their Measuring Effective Teachers project. Utilizing random student assignment, they find—among other things—that “some teachers can produce test-score gains regardless of the past performance of their students.” (Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal,and Education Week)

There were more accusations of wrongdoing made against NYC school employees last year than ever before. (New York Times)

Category: First Bell