Standards, Testing & Accountability
Featured Publications
March 23, 2010
Review of the Draft K-12 Common Core Standards
The Fordham Institute's expert reviewers have analyzed the draft Common Core K-12 education standards (made public on March 10) according to rigorous criteria. Their analyses lead to a grade of A- for the draft mathematics standards and B for those in English language arts. Read on to find out more.
October 8, 2009
Stars by Which to Navigate? Scanning National and International Education Standards in 2009
Expert reviewers appraise the Common Core drafts -- which outline college and career readiness standards in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and in math -- and also evaluate the reading/writing and math frameworks that undergird the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Programme for International Student Achievement (PISA). How strong are these well-known models?
September 8, 2009
From Schoolhouse to Courthouse
From Schoolhouse to Courthouse: The Judiciary's Role in American Education examines the role of the courts in modern American K-12 education. From race to speech, from religion to school funding, few aspects of education policy have escaped the courtroom. In this book, experts describe just what the impact of judicial involvement has been. Published jointly by Fordham and Brookings Institution Press.
August 27, 2009
International Lessons about National Standards
Whether the United States should embrace national standards and tests is perhaps today's hottest education issue. For guidance in addressing it, this report looks beyond our borders. How have other countries navigated these turbid waters? What can we learn from them? Expert analysts examined national standards and testing in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore and South Korea.
April 29, 2009
Growing Pains in the Advanced Placement Program: Do Tough Trade-Offs Lie Ahead?
Over the past five years, the number of students taking at least one Advanced Placement exam rose by more than half. This news is celebrated but is there a downside? To find out, Fordham commissioned the Farkas Duffett Research Group to survey AP teachers in the US. The AP program remains popular with its teachers. But there are signs that the move toward "open door" access to AP is starting to cause concern.
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Recent Gadfly Articles
Conserving the status quo?
July 29, 2010 Edition, From Checker's Desk
We confess. Mike and I were partly wrong last week: More than half a dozen conservatives have misgivings about the “Common Core” standards and the tests to follow. The number ... More
The proficiency illusion, Empire State edition
July 29, 2010 Edition, News and Analysis
Almost three years ago, Fordham and the Northwest Evaluation Association published a landmark study, The Proficiency Illusion, which found that state “proficiency cut scores” ... More
An Experimental Study of the Effects of Monetary Incentives on Performance on the 12th-Grade NAEP Reading Assessment
July 29, 2010 Edition, Short Reviews
Henry Braun, Irwin Kirsch, and Kentaro Yamamoto
Teachers College Record
Forthcoming 2011
National education standards that even conservatives can love
July 22, 2010 Edition, From Checker's and Mike's Desks
After votes yesterday in Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, twenty-nine states have now embraced the new “Common Core” standards for primary and secondary education. ... More
Special Report: Fighting the Dropout Crisis
July 22, 2010 Edition, Short Reviews
Richard Lee Colvin, Betsy Hammond, Dale Mezzacappa, Sarah Garland, and Thomas Toch
Washington Monthly
July/August 2010
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Featured Links & Resources
Achieve, Inc.
An independent organization formed by governors and CEOs who share a belief in high academic standards, demanding tests, and accountability. Achieve, Inc. developes, benchmarks, and analyzes standards to promote higher achievement.
National Assessment of Educational Progress
Also known as "the Nation's Report Card," NAEP is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. The website contains info about the test's subject areas, state profiles, and more.
National Assessment Governing Board
Provides sound information to the public on what American students know and can do in reading, math, and a range of academic subjects both nationally and state-by-state. Also publishes the Nation's Report Card through NAEP.
Education Trust
Works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, kindergarten through college, and forever closing the achievement gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth.
See also EdTrust West, which focuses primarily on closing the achievement gap in California.
The College Board
Parent of the SAT, PSAT, and AP tests, the College Board serves over three million students and their parents through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning.
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