• Level Playing Field reports little progress has been made closing the achievement gap in California since their last report in 2010.  Particularly interesting is that low-income Asian students score higher than high-income African American and Latino students in fifth grade science.

• Standardized methods of calculating high school and postsecondary graduation rates are gradually being implemented. For some schools, like in D.C., the new method makes schools appear to be doing worse than previously thought.

• Common Core assessment consortia PARCC and SMARTER Balance are making conspicuous efforts to ensure assessments measure college readiness.

• Latino students make up more than half of Texas’ K-12 enrollment, but their college graduation rates lag behind their peers Exelencia in Education reports. There is no way to improve the state’s overall college graduation rate without making progress for Latino students.

• As most states are preparing for computer-based Common Core assessments, researchers at The University of Akron find automated essay-scoring software programs are just as reliable as a human scorer.

• Due to irreconcilable differences, the federal panel evaluating teacher education programs could not reach a consensus on how to handle teacher evaluations and the role they should play in determining financial aid eligibility. The ball is now in the U.S. Department of Education’s court. 

• The Texas State Board of Education meets April 18 through 20 to discuss and potentially approve updates to the state’s math standards. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute and the Texas Association of Business are skeptical of the proposed standards’ quality.

• Complete College America reports thirty percent of students who complete remedial courses do not even attempt credit-bearing entry-level courses.

• While it is common for schools to limit enrollment in AP courses to students who already appear to be headed for success, Mary Ann Rankin* points out that this practice excludes many capable students – particularly those who are underrepresented. Increasing access to AP classes along with appropriate teacher training and mentoring can expand opportunities for all students. *Mary Ann Rankin is the president and CEO of the National Math and Science Imitative, LTF’s parent company.

• Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, all students in Louisiana public schools will be required to take the ACT and the state will cover the test fee. The state also plans to increase the availability of Advanced Placement courses and increase funding to train AP teachers.

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