In the cover story, Eliot Cohen argues that to the detriment of American citizens, civic education has been unmoored from history in higher education, where the teachers of tomorrow are trained.
In a new research article, Elizabeth Setren reports that English learners and special-education students are more likely to lose their classifications when enrolling in Boston-area charter schools — and that they also are more likely to meet achievement benchmarks and go on to enroll in college. An accompanying piece takes readers inside Excel Academy East Boston, a charter school that takes an inclusive approach to special education and English learning.
An article from Seth Gershenson presents evidence that “easy As” are not a victimless crime: students learn more from tougher teachers, and they continue to do better in math classes up to two years later. In the editor’s letter, Marty West remembers a tough high-school calculus teacher who awarded him the only C of his academic career, but set him up for success.
Also in this issue, a look at education reform in Indianapolis as well as Los Angeles; an examination of alternatives to traditional college remediation; and an expert debate on Common Core’s impact ten years later.
See the full list of contents below or at www.educationnext.org/journal.
FEATURES
History, Critical and Patriotic
Americans need a history that educates but also inspires
By Eliot A. Cohen
End the “Easy A”
Tougher grading standards set more students up for success
By Seth Gershenson
The Hoosier Way
Good choices for all in Indianapolis
By Robin Lake
Building on Shaky Ground
Reforming a divided school system in Los Angeles
By Susan Bush-Mecenas and Julie A. Marsh
Inclusion in Action
Expectations for all at Excel Academy
By E. B. Solomont
RESEARCH
A Charter Boost for Special-Ed Students and English Learners
Lessons in inclusion at Boston charter schools
By Elizabeth Setren
Is College Remediation a Barrier or a Boost?
Evidence from Tennessee
By Thomas Kane, Angela Boatman, Whitney Kozakowski, Christopher Bennett, Rachel Hitch, and Dana Weisenfeld
FORUM
A Decade on, Has Common Core Failed?
Assessing the impact of national standards
Common standards aren’t enough
By Morgan S. Polikoff
Stay the course on national standards
By Michael J. Petrilli
Common Core has not worked
By Tom Loveless
FROM THE EDITOR
In Fight against Grade Inflation, Those Rare Tough Teachers Are Champions
By Martin R. West
LEGAL BEAT
Funeral Homes and Female Athletes
By Joshua Dunn
BOOK REVIEW
Limitless Mind: Learn, Lead, and Live without Barriers
By Jo Boaler, as reviewed by Daniel Ansari
WHAT NEXT
Put “Whole Language” on Trial
By Michael J. Petrilli
SCHOOL LIFE
“Parents…Shifted Their Definition of Success”
Summit Schools cofounder Diane Tavenner on the
secrets of student happiness
