Latest news with #NationalAssessmentofEducationalProgress
New York Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
How Trump changed the future, kill the suicide bill and other commentary
From the right: Don Just Changed the Future 'In the case of the Middle East what Trump said about himself is true,' marvels Commentary's John Podhoretz. 'He said he doesn't start wars. Trump said he ends wars' — and Saturday night 'was Trump ending this evil war of Iran's, either right now or after more pain causes the mullahs to cry uncle. For Israel didn't start this war either. It was launched, by Iran and its catamites, on Oct. 7.' The strike's 'impact is potentially so enormous, and so world-historic, we needn't rush into interpreting its larger meaning.' But: 'Trump has said since the assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., that he believes God spared him for a reason. And now, so do I.' Conservative: Kill the Suicide Bill Gov. Hochul should veto 'The Medical Aid in Dying Act, which passed the State Assembly in April,' and 'would allow people diagnosed with terminal illnesses to request a prescription for lethal drugs,' urges City Journal's John Hirschauer. Besides moving to 'effectively recognize suicide as a human right,' 'the bill has relatively few safeguards,' as 'it does not require that the person requesting the drugs be psychiatrically evaluated.' 'And the bill's drafters declined to include a residency requirement,' meaning people from across the country could come to New York and euthanize themselves. 'Human life is marked by terrible suffering.' 'But once the state decides that anyone, on account of illness, has the 'right' to kill himself, it has decided that suffering can render life worthless.' Liberal: UFT Winning Mayoral Primary New York schools are 'worse today' despite 'an incredible $36,000 spent per pupil — about twice the national average — with National Assessment of Educational Progress scores of 28% proficient in reading and a few points more in math,' grumbles Joe Klein at Substack. One problem: Teachers, like other city workers, are 'unable to be fired.' Although education 'is the absolute key to future success for New York,' it 'hasn't been much discussed in the Democratic mayoral primary.' In a Manhattan Institute report, all of the candidates 'received D's and F's, except one' — Whitney Tilson, 'an obscure Wall Street moderate' despised by the teachers union. The UFT hasn't endorsed any candidate, likely due to its 'utter confidence that the winner will abide by its wishes.' From the right: LA Needed Trump's Help 'Gov. Gavin Newsom told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that local law enforcement officers were 'sufficient to maintain order' ' in Los Angeles, yet LAPD officers tell Heather Mac Donald at The Wall Street Journal, 'We don't have s— under control.' She cites numerous instances of violence that, by 'sheer luck,' weren't life-threatening. 'Should Trump have waited to see if the locals' would eventually control the situation? The answer's clear: 'Police Chief Jim McDonnell put the LAPD on tactical alert' and canceled all time off. Yet days later, Mayor Karen Bass nonetheless had to order a curfew. 'Still the disorder continued.' Fact is, 'There is more danger from tolerating' lawlessness than from responding to it 'with all legal means.' Libertarian: Cut the F-35 'As the U.S. grapples with ballooning federal budgets and increasingly necessary spending cuts, the military remains ripe for austerity,' blares Joe Lancaster at Reason. The F-35 jet is a perfect example of a 'program that deserves to be scrapped.' Since its inception after 9/11, 'the jet has proven itself not ready from prime time, both more expensive and less functional than promised.' Too bad 'the House Appropriations Committee's proposed Defense Appropriations Bill for 2026 would spend $8.5 billion on F-35s,' and 'President Donald Trump has called the F-35 'the greatest fighter jet in the world.'' 'The F-35 means to replace previous-generation aircraft like the F-16, but instead, the obsolete models are running circles around their intended replacement.' Every new thing we hear about the F-35, 'proves that it's long past time to kill the program.' — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board
Newsweek
19-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Gen Z's Love for School Increasing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Gen Z students have reported their most positive evaluations of schools in years, 71 percent awarding an A or B for this year in a Gallup and Walton Family Foundation report. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Education for comment via email. Why It Matters The report, published on Wednesday, June 18, comes amid a litany of concerns about American education. A report released in January, 2025, from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) found that the reading and math skills of fourth and eighth-grade students have declined in multiple states to below the national average. After this report was released, Peggy Carr, the commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, said: "These 2024 results clearly show that students are not where they need to be or where we want them to be." Educators were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing disruption, the effects of which have been hard to recover from. In 2024, a report released by the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), a research group at Arizona State University stated that the average American student is "less than halfway to full academic recovery," from the impact of the pandemic. The Report's Key Findings Average school grades rose to a B on a 0-to-4 GPA scale, up from B- in 2023 and 2024. The percentage of students assigning their schools an A grade also jumped to 31 percent, up from 22 percent in 2023. Parents' grades for schools also improved, with 40 percent rating their child's school an A, marking a notable rise from 33 percent in the previous year. High school freshmen and sophomore students at Concordia High School using Apple iPads in the world geography classroom at the private religious school outside Austin, Texas. High school freshmen and sophomore students at Concordia High School using Apple iPads in the world geography classroom at the private religious school outside Austin, Texas. Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images Students' average reported GPA for their schools reached 2.92, while parent-assigned averages also increased to 3.13, further reflecting the uptick in satisfaction. Gallup's findings also showed Black and Hispanic students posting the greatest year-over-year gains. The 2025 Gallup and Walton Family Foundation Student Report Card was based on a survey of 1,551 students and their parents, taken between May 16 and May 27. "We saw improvements across the student body, including many of the groups that have historically given their school lower marks, such as students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, Black and Hispanic students, and students with disabilities," Gallup's senior education researcher Zach Hrynowski told Newsweek in an email. The report cautioned that heightened positivity among students and parents had not yet translated into improved academic outcomes. Kevin G. Welner, a research professor at the School of Education & School of Law at the University of Colorado Boulder told Newsweek the report is unquestionably "good news." "If parents and students are happy with their schools, we should be happy as well." What Is Driving Gen Z's Increased Satisfaction? Hrynowski said: "While the improvements were broad, it's hard to pin down a single cause." The biggest improvements occurred in areas related to career-connected earning, and the next largest improvements came in students' excitement about what they are learning, he said. Welner said we can "only speculate" about why numbers are up, but pointed to post-COVID recovery as a potential reason. Christopher Lubienski, a Professor of Education Policy at Indiana University pointed to a number of reasons there could be an increase in satisfaction, noting that people with potentially high levels of discontent, such as homeschooled students, weren't sampled. He also added that "schools represent stability in an increasingly unstable world for a lot of students." "Considering the sample size, it could be just a statistical blip," Lubienski told Newsweek. "The bigger story here is the continued and maybe growing satisfaction across the board, but particularly for students from disadvantaged backgrounds." Frederick M. Hess, a senior fellow and the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute told Newsweek: "If you ask a student who doesn't do any homework, do you such as school, there's an excellent chance to tell you they such as school more than a kid who whose parents make them do homework." This is "not an ironclad rule by any means," he said, adding that there is reason to be concerned that student satisfaction isn't related to education or academic engagement. It could be they like school because "they can hang out and do social media together," Hess said. "I would never say positive results are a bad thing ... I think it's really important to be cautious." How Meaningful Are These Perception Shifts? So, what do these perception shifts mean in practice? Hrynowski noted "several indicators that would suggest this could be the first step toward improvements in long-term academic success." "From our three years of data, we clearly and consistently see that students who are more engaged in the classroom and give their schools higher marks also report better academic achievement and lower absenteeism," Hrynowski said. Matt Eicheldinger a New York Times bestselling author and Instagram and TikTok creator with a background in teaching, told Newsweek via email: "It can be easy to view these perception shifts as a valuable insight of the U.S. education system, but they should not be mistaken for definite indicators of the overall health of the system. "Satisfaction may reflect school climate, stronger relationships, and more inclusive environment, but true educational health is multifaceted." Eicheldinger added that we need to consider academic outcomes, access equality and teacher retention, as well as funding and long-term student success. "Without addressing these other systemic factors, increased satisfaction alone gives a misleading picture of progress," he said. Lubienski said the results show people still have faith in their schools, despite the challenges education has faced in recent years. "There is a constant barrage of criticism of our schools from some politicians, but people still like their schools," said Lubienski. Hrynowski also flagged some potential issues with achievement scores and said that they are "probably a bit of a lagging indicator." "Even if the school experience has improved meaningfully over the last year, it may still take a year or two for those gains to start showing up in test scores." Hrynowski added that stagnant test scores are down to things such as COVID learning loss. "A better experience over the past year doesn't guarantee that the damage of that learning loss has been fully mitigated—we may just be limiting the damage at this point," Hrynowski said. What Happens Next The report comes at a time of major change for America's education system. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education that former President Jimmy Carter founded 45 years ago, which could change the face of education in America. AI also poses significant challenges. Lubienski said that though this is a relatively minor shift, it is a "hopeful sign," before adding that we need to attend to having well resourced schools, good teachers and world-class curriculums. Eicheldinger said this report could signal a turning point. "When students enjoy school and feel connected, engagement and learning often rise," he said. "But for lasting impact, that positive experience must be backed by meaningful changes, such as relevant curriculum and supportive environments. "Joy is a great start, but it needs structure to lead to long-term success," Eicheldinger added.
Chicago Tribune
16-06-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Jerald McNair: While schools are out, our youths need to continue to read
As the summer approaches and the school year ends, schools across the country are concerned about the upcoming year and the federal cuts that may come with the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. The concern is even more pressing considering a report released in January by the National Assessment of Educational Progress that shows that the reading proficiency for fourth and eighth graders in the United States continues to decline. Last year, their proficiency declined by 2 points compared with 2022. In fact, 19 states had a fourth grade reading score below the national average of 214. For eighth graders, 11 states had scores much lower than the national average of 257. What we do know about educational data is there is often a decline in reading scores in the summer, which is referred to as 'summer slope' or 'summer slide.' Data from the Northwest Evaluation Association shows that third to fifth graders lose 20% of their school-year gains in reading. This kind of data hits educators, including administrators, quite hard. What more can we do? Does this one biennial test represent all of what schools are doing to improve the reading skills of students throughout the year? As we seek answers, what gets lost in the discussion is the myriad of variables that influence reading results and why they can be so volatile, particularly for young readers, whose foundational skills have yet to develop. When youths don't read enough, their reading score results will often stagnate or decline. Average instructional time for a student in the United States is 5.7 hours per day. Reading represents only a portion of that time. If the only time young people read books is when they are at school, reading scores across our nation will not improve. Now more than ever, it's important that our youths continue to read throughout the summer. For those students not attending summer school, it's essential that parents and caregivers designate times for their children to read, even on vacation. That means putting some limits on use of devices. If the family is traveling, requiring reading can prove to be beneficial. Neuropsychology and Education Services for Children and Adolescents, a practice in New England, recommends that children read at least 20 minutes per day after being in school all day. It will expose them to 1.8 million words in one school year. During summer break, continuing that practice can have a profound impact on reading efficiency for students, preventing some of the reading loss that happens during summer break. Having youths not only visit the library but also obtain a library card is recommended. The American Library Association maintains that library cards fuel academic achievement. Through the summer, many libraries host events and activities to engage youths and can encourage them to become lifelong readers. Unfortunately for education in our country, the budget proposed by President Donald Trump, known as the 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' may result in 40 federal K-12 programs being cut. The president's budget proposal keeps top-line funding intact for the Education Department's two biggest sources for schools, Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an analysis by Education Week says. However, the bill asks Congress to eliminate nearly four dozen other grant programs that provide services for specific K-12 student populations. It comes down to a proposed cut of $12 billion to the U.S. Department of Education budget at the beginning of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1. School districts may have to do more with less. With reading data continuing to show a decline, it's more than concerning. It makes this summer, and summers in the foreseeable future, particularly important. President John F. Kennedy once said: 'Children are the world's most valuable resource. And its best hope for the future.' How we meet the challenges of the future, compete in this global economy and stay on the cutting edge of technological improvements and advancements depends on how educated our youths are. It's important to understand that the learning loss that COVID-19 caused is still being felt. Data from the Harvard Graduate School of Education states that when a student experiences learning loss due to an interruption, students generally recover 20% to 30% of the lost ground the first year but typically make no more recovery in the next three to four years. So much work has to be done. We can start by making certain our youths continue to pick up a book and read over the summer. Perhaps our iconic and talented entertainers Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Shaboozey and others can lead the way and positively influence our youths by saying, 'Summer reading is summer fun.'
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
6 in 10 children can't read or do basic math: Why they're attending school but not learning
Foundational learning is in freefall across the globe. From Sub-Saharan Africa to Southeast Asia, millions of children are leaving classrooms without the ability to read a simple sentence or solve a basic math problem. The pandemic exacerbated a pre-existing crisis, but the learning poverty has become a grave educational failure of our time. The crisis has not spared wealthy nations either. In the United States, the January 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows reading scores at their lowest in decades, with nearly a third of eighth graders performing below basic level. Math outcomes in America were no better, with stagnation and widening disparities, particularly among historically marginalized groups. UNESCO 's 2025 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report underscores the magnitude of this global learning crisis: six in ten children worldwide now lack minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics by the end of primary school. Minimum proficiency means being able to demonstrate at least a basic understanding of reading or arithmetic concepts appropriate to the child's grade level. Yet, this milestone remains out of reach for over 60% of primary-aged learners, suggests the survey. In many low- and middle-income countries, these figures are even more severe, underscoring the deep inequities baked into global education systems. Millions in school, yet learning levels plummet: A global snapshot The learning crisis is most pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, with sub-Saharan Africa showing the slowest progress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like local network access control Esseps Learn More In several African nations, fewer than one in five children reach minimum proficiency in mathematics or reading by the end of primary school. For example, some countries have shown no improvement—or even decline—in learning outcomes despite increased access to schooling. Latin America, though slightly better, has also experienced setbacks, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In some countries in the region, learning losses during school closures have undone a decade's worth of progress. Meanwhile, wealthier regions such as Europe and North America generally have higher learning proficiency rates, but even there, marginalized communities—especially among migrants and low-income groups—continue to lag behind. What's driving the global learning crisis? The global trends, we know, reveal that despite record levels of school enrolment, millions of children are failing to acquire even the most basic reading and math skills. The reasons are systemic, structural—and deeply entrenched. Here's a snapshot of what's going wrong: Teacher shortages and low quality of instruction: Many classrooms, especially in low-income countries, are overcrowded and under-resourced, with underqualified or unsupported teachers. Inadequate infrastructure: Millions of students attend schools without electricity, water, or basic learning materials. Learning poverty: Children from poorer households are more likely to enter school late, attend irregularly, or drop out early. Gender disparities and conflict: In fragile contexts and regions affected by war or political instability, girls are disproportionately affected. Language barriers: In many countries, children are taught in languages they do not speak at home, compounding comprehension issues. Lack of early childhood development : The report emphasizes the critical role of pre-primary education in setting a foundation, yet many children still lack access to quality early learning. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Washington stuck mid-pack in national education ranking
(Photo by) Washington's K-12 education system slipped slightly in national rankings released Monday. The state ranks 27th, down one spot from last year, according to an analysis from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Ten years ago, Washington was 20th. Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal's office took issue with the rankings, arguing that the National Assessment of Educational Progress data the report is based on shouldn't be used to construct such lists. More than two-thirds of the state's 4th graders failed to meet reading standards, and 70% of 8th graders weren't proficient in math last year, right around the national average — and where Washington pupils stood in 2022. For two decades, reading proficiency has remained largely unchanged in Washington. In 2005, 64% of the state's 4th graders failed to meet reading standards. The number improved, falling to just 60% in 2013 and 2015, but last year climbed to a new high of 68%. Math proficiency among 8th graders dropped over the past decade, from 58% not meeting standards in 2013, to 70% last year, largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and its toll on student learning and a rise in chronic absenteeism nationally. A spokesperson for Reykdal pointed to state data showing 'robust' improvement since the pandemic. The percentage of students on track in reading and math was up in the 2023-24 school year from the pandemic era, according to state data. 'Our performance in reading is strong, and OSPI and Superintendent Reykdal understand the need for increased focus on and funding for mathematics, particularly in late elementary and middle school,' spokesperson Katie Hannig said in an email Monday. 'This is one of the Superintendent's top priorities moving forward.' One worrisome data point shows Washington's youngest learners are missing out on school. Of 3- and 4-year-old children, 57% weren't enrolled in school from 2019 to 2023, slightly worse than the national average. Stephan Blanford, executive director of the Children's Alliance based in Seattle, said this lays the groundwork for below-average on-time graduation rates. The alliance is the foundation's partner in Washington on the report known as the Kids Count Data Book. Sixteen percent of Washington students didn't graduate on time in 2021 and 2022, the report says, below the 13% national average. 'The fact that our state has made such significant cuts in early education as a result of the last legislative session means it's pretty easy to predict that these numbers are on the way downward,' said Blanford, speaking broadly about education trends. 'There was so much work that was done in order to get them to their current level.' 'Our slide is going to be precipitous,' he added. State lawmakers agreed this year to delay previously approved expansions to state-paid early learning in the face of a hefty budget shortfall. And the Trump administration has put the federal Head Start early learning program for low-income families in its crosshairs. These programs help students learn to manage their feelings, and kids who participate are more likely to go on to college and earn more money as adults. Blanford voiced disappointment that state leaders, particularly Gov. Bob Ferguson, couldn't reach agreement this year on new revenue options to better fund education. Ferguson's office didn't respond to a request for comment Monday. Meanwhile, school districts are grappling with tough budget decisions of their own as federal aid provided during the pandemic has dried up, and as enrollment is down in many places. State funding is linked to student headcounts. Hannig, from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, said the state budget cuts 'cause OSPI concern, and we are exploring options to keep our preschool-age learners learning, despite these reductions in funding.' Still, she noted state data shows 53.6% of Washington's students entered kindergarten ready this school year, a figure that has risen consistently in recent years. The Kids Count Data Book also tracks family, health and economic data trends. For example, in 2023, just 3% of Washington children lacked health insurance, better than the national average of 5%. And only 12% were impoverished, also better than the average. As for child well-being, Washington ranks 16th, down from 14th last year. The state's Healthy Youth Survey, however, has indicated improving mental health and decreased substance use among Washington's young people in recent years.
