Liz Cohen

We should also debate the value of learning difficult material precisely because it's difficult, not for any future utility. If all learning in hs/college becomes transactional, or only to prepare for specific jobs, we devalue learning itself & encourage more siloed education.

Four Insights into U.S. Students’ Drop in Math & Science on International Test Tuesday’s release of TIMSS scores shows that American students fell behind their international peers during the pandemic.

This demands urgency: "18% of 8th graders and 13% of 4th graders failed to hit the lowest achievement threshold. The proportions of ultra-low-performers were, respectively, twice and three times higher than they were in 2011."
www.the74million.org/article/four...

🚨 New TIMSS results 🚨

US student performance PLUNGED on the latest international math test.

Just shockingly bad.

“We have countries leapfrogging over us,” Carr said.

What a get for The74! Excited for @phylliswjordan.bsky.social to continue contributing to important conversations in this new role!

In Newton, we tried an experiment in educational equity. It has failed. - The Boston Globe “Multilevel classrooms” are not working for teachers or students, writes the head of Newton South High School’s Faculty Council.

Maybe this is a Boston ed news account now? A thoughtful and important op-ed about the downsides of de-tracking.

"Classes may appear more diverse...we have seen firsthand that the students who need the most support are those least served by multilevel."

www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/02/o...

With no more MCAS requirement, graduation standards vary widely among state’s largest districts - The Boston Globe Advocates say the range of graduation requirements creates inequitable opportunities for students.

It's hard not to feel sad watching what's sure to unfold in MA, a model for a so long. "...<12 of the state’s 50 largest districts require all students to take and pass coursework that [makes them] eligible for admission to the state’s flagship public university." www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/02/m...

Q&A: David Yeager on the Science of Motivating Young People In his new book, “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People,” David Yeager, Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a FutureEd research advisor…

In need of motivation? Or looking to motivate others? I loved speaking with David Yeager about his recent book on motivating young people -- arguably, we can all benefit from a high-standards, high-support model.
www.future-ed.org/qa-david-yea...

To Coax Kids Back, Schools Have to Innovate Educators say new attitudes toward daily attendance are resulting in alarmingly high absenteeism

Though most states are seeing a slight recovery from the highs of 2022, chronic absence from school remains a troubling problem. "This fundamental thing has shifted and we can't quite get it back," says @lizcohen12.bsky.social. www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

COVID Learning Loss: Virginia Launching Statewide Tutoring Initiative This Week Kelleher: Communication, a focus on student outcomes and in-person help over time are essential if initiative is to succeed for the highest-need kids.

Today, Virginia is launching a statewide tutoring effort to help students recover. @maureenkelleher.bsky.social tells us what it will take from the state, principals, and teachers to succeed: www.the74million.org/article/as-v...

Ill Communication: Technology, distraction & student performance This paper investigates the impact of schools banning mobile phones on student test scores. By surveying schools in four English cities regarding thei…

I'd vote to ban cell phones in a lot places, but schools seem like a good place to start. Now there's pretty strong evidence that banning cell phones in schools improves student achievement, particularly for the lowest-achieving students.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

I don't know who needs to hear this, but if you ask question at an event or panel, please don't tell a story. Just ask the question.

I increasingly feel my education policy views make me sound crotchety (schools should teach more rigorous math; teachers should have higher grading standards; test scores have a role to play in college admissions; college tends to pay off).

But I'd like to think it's evidence-based crotchetiness.

Mobile phones are to be banned in schools Gillian Keegan will order schools to outlaw smartphones during lessons, and also in breaks, in a bid to end disruption and make it easier for pupils to focus.

This is an impressive national move to ban cell phones in schools. Would love to see more consensus on this here in the US. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

Important job opening in DC -- executive director of the school enrollment lottery.

Help OSSE recruit a great leader for this post -- or maybe you are that leader! osse.dc.gov/page/executi...

Outcomes-based contracting in tutoring is so interesting, and has SO MUCH potential. This is a great piece about two districts I've also spoken with - what they're doing is some of the best stewarding of public funds I've seen. @the74
www.the74million.org/article/tuto...

Once a data lover, always a data lover. I kept seeing "new attendance data!" & then realizing the "new" data was from 2021-22. Some districts are improving (ABQ, Detroit) while others are getting worse (MCPS MD, Oakland). Need state data for full picture; lagging data hurt efforts.

A Long-Term Strategy for Funding High-Quality Tutoring With millions of students struggling academically in the wake of the pandemic and a raft of research pointing to high quality tutoring as an effective way to raise student achievement, it’s not surp...

Hey, we're here! Future Ed offers policy analysis and insightful commentary on K-12 education. Follow us and take a look at how states and district can keep tutoring going after the ESSER money is gone, from @lizcohen12.bsky.social. www.future-ed.org/a-long-term-...

would love to hear more...

This feels like the 1st day of high school in a new place. I'm the policy director at FutureEd at Georgetown Univ McCourt School of Public Policy. Right now I'm particularly focused on tutoring, DC high schools, & chronic absenteeism. Generally interested in anything that's good for kids.