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This post is part of our Education Innovators Series, which highlights today’s top leaders, innovators, and educators who are making a noble impact in the education sector. It is often said that college education is the ticket to upward mobility, the American Dream. While some believe that the American Dream still exists, others believe that […]

Many observers see teacher shortages as a result of districts and states underpaying and overworking teachers. However, increasing teacher pay is not the entire answer to the problem. Shortages persist even in areas in which teachers are being paid adequately, and increasing pay will not begin to address the ways in which teaching often feels […]

Educators and policy wonks of many stripes pretty much agree that U.S. classrooms need more minority teachers. But how to make that happen? One Philadelphia principal is trying to do his part by launching a new organization that aims to bring together Philly’s black male educators and provide them with professional support to thrive in their jobs. The group, called The Fellowship, also wants to […]

Whoever said data wasn’t sexy likely didn’t see $42 million attached to it. That’s how much Bloomberg Philanthropies has committed to helping 100 mid-sized U.S. cities “enhance their use of data and evidence.” In layman’s terms, this means opening up everything from foreclosure rates and public transit performance to contract award amounts and employee headcount. […]

Based on our rough calculations, less than $1 out of every $100 of government spending is backed by even the most basic evidence that the money is being spent wisely. As former officials in the administrations of Barack Obama (Peter Orszag) and George W. Bush (John Bridgeland), we were flabbergasted by how blindly the federal […]

Cities are gaining momentum as incubators for innovation. There is much excitement about the idea of cities as “laboratories of democracy.” As a result, cities can learn best practices from one another. Sharing this information can build a strong foundation to amplify and encourage experimentation. Recognizing the power of shared learning, Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership […]

Contrary to what some skeptics argue, the new standards don’t suck an appreciation for traditional wisdom out of English class. By Meaghan Freeman, New York Fellow By now almost every teacher in the country has experienced the Common Core State Standards. We’re teaching and assessing them; we’re advocating for them or pushing against them. We’re explaining […]

Chantilly High School, in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia, has always performed well on standardized assessments. In 2012, they voluntarily participated in the OECD Test for Schools to determine how they compare to schools globally. The results pointed to some unexpected realities about students’ abilities to analyze and apply information, their reading skills and […]

Tomah High School, in Tomah Area School District in Wisconsin, took the OECD Test for Schools during the 2013-2014 school year. In general, students scored well when compared to other schools with similar socioeconomic backgrounds. However, despite these positive results, the OECD Test for Schools indicated that Tomah needed to implement shifts in its instructional […]

Located in a suburban area fifteen miles from downtown Seattle, the Bellevue School District in Washington serves 19,500 students in 28 schools. Once a district with little racial, cultural, or economic diversity, the demographics of the community and our students have shifted significantly. While the number of children from economically challenged homes has risen, so […]