Topic: Diane Ravitch

Focus Education reform's next big thing: Common Core standards ramp up

Common Core standards are aimed at building students' critical thinking skills, and 46 states have adopted them. But critics say the methods are unproven and the education reform is moving too fast.

From preschool to high school, Obama seeking big progress in education

This week the president announced ambitious plans for universal preschool access and high school curriculums tailored to the 21st century, but are Congress and the states interested?

15 must-read books about K-12 education in the US

Confused by the rhetoric? Here are 15 books to help you understand public education in the US today.

Chicago teachers strike ends, but political fallout is just beginning

With the strike, teachers fought back against reforms that they say come hand-in-hand with vilifying teachers. But the strike also exposed rifts in the Democratic Party over education policy that had never been put in such stark relief.

Karen Lewis: Fiery Chicago Teachers Union chief takes on wrath of Rahm (+video)

An Ivy League union organizer with deep ties to Chicago's community activists, Karen Lewis is emerging as the new face of resistance to a national education reform movement. She's a match for Mayor Rahm Emanuel's storied temper, backers say.

Save Our Schools March: a teacher revolt against Obama education reform

The Save Our Schools March on Washington Saturday is part of a new nationwide push to organize educators against the Obama administration's regime of education reform.

Reader recommendation: The Death and Life of the Great American School System

Reader recommendation: The Death and Life of the Great American School System

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Education reform: Have business-savvy officials improved big-city schools?

Big-city mayors have been turning to leaders from the business world to push their agenda of education reform. Critics say schools need leadership from educators.

Education secretary Arne Duncan: headmaster of US school reform

As students head back to school, educators nationwide are implementing controversial school reform wrought by Arne Duncan. Pushing competitive market approaches and armed with unprecedented funding and support from the president, he is possibly the most powerful education secretary ever.

Colorado latest battleground for teacher performance

Legislation in Colorado would put teachers on probation based in part on student scores on standardized tests. It’s part of a trend around the country that teacher unions find threatening.

The Death and Life of the Great American School System

Noted policymaker Diane Ravitch says she was wrong to jump on the No Child Left Behind bandwagon.

Want to save $50,000? Try a three-year college degree.

With costs soaring, some colleges offer students a way to graduate early with a three-year college degree. But critics say students lose out on gaining breadth of experience.