Education

Fact-Checking Gov. Rendell and Bill Cosby

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 19, 2009

This afternoon. Gov. Ed Rendell, school superintendents, and Bill Cosby held a press conference on improvement in Pennsylvania test scores, and calling for funding increases. Unfortunately, they got a number…

Media

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Education

Is the PSSA Too Easy?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • August 12, 2009

The Allegheny Institute takes issue with the latest round of Pennsylvania test results – specifically the 8th grade reading PSSA. They note that not only does the 8th grade…

Media

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Education

Low Standards De-Value Diplomas

  • August 5, 2009

The U.S. dollar isn’t the only piece of paper plagued by inflation.  While the Federal Reserve drives down the value of the greenback, low academic standards in Pennsylvania are decreasing…

Commentary

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Education

Is Our Kids Learning Better Now?

  • Nathan Benefield
  • July 27, 2009

Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released the PSSA results (the state standardized tests), and celebrated the results.  Of course, the Rendell administration wants to take credit for the…

Media

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Education

State Can’t Spend Its Way to Student Success

  • Matthew Brouillette
  • March 19, 2009

For years, the educational establishment has claimed that not enough is being spent on public schools – that if more money is pumped into the system, student achievement will improve. …

Commentary

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Education

Local Proficiency Measures are Lacking in PA

  • Nathan Benefield
  • February 26, 2009

A new study from Penn State reveals that local school districts’ assessments, allowed as an alternative to the 11th-grade PSSA exam to demonstrate proficiency for Pennsylvania students before graduating,…

Media

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Education

Failing Science

  • Nathan Benefield
  • December 10, 2008

The Patriot News has a story on the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s news release that almost two-thirds of Pennsylvania’s 11th grade students are not proficient in science.  The…

Media

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