The Comprehensive English Regents Exam, also referred to as the English Language Arts (ELA) Examination, is a widely used measure of student achievement in the K-12 system in New York, yet it is not without criticism. One concern is that the ELA Regents Exam may be contributing to the widening of the gap in graduation rates between English…

In this first 2014 issue of "Voices in Urban Education," Oona Chatterjee, the Annenberg Institute's associate director for New York City organizing, interviews Pedro Noguera, the Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education at New York University, a noted researcher and national commentator on topics such as urban school reform, conditions that…

In 2003, the National Commission on Writing released "The Neglected "R,"" its report on the state of writing instruction in the nation's schools. The report identified an apparent paradox: writing, which the Commission defines as an essential skill for the many that has helped transform the world, is nevertheless increasingly…

This article introduces a conversation with Brett Peiser, named chief executive officer of "Uncommon Schools" in July of 2012, along with the principal of North Star Academy Vailsburg Middle School, a charter school in Newark, New Jersey's West Ward. There is no doubt that "Uncommon Schools" has given thousands of low-income…

Proposals to reauthorize No Child Left Behind seek to ensure "equitable" access to effective teachers. The U.S. Department of Education's Race to the Top fund rewards state plans for "ensuring equitable distribution of effective teachers and principals" and for "ambitious yet achievable annual targets to increase the…

Education reformers have long questioned whether school boards have become an anachronism. Pointing to promising efforts in Boston and New York City, some have argued for handing over control of school districts to mayors. A review of the research suggests that advocates overstate the evidence and underestimate the pitfalls, but, on balance,…

In the mid-1980s, the author discovered the soon-to-be-Coalition of Essential Schools as she was contemplating starting a secondary school in East Harlem, a follow-up to their successful little network of progressive-minded elementary schools: Central Park East, Central Park East II, and River East. Through a series of lucky connections, she and…

The centerpiece of former Governor Elliot Spitzer's education reform agenda was a set of performance agreements between the state and designated needy school districts. Known as Contracts for Excellence, or C4E, these agreements would eventually be linked to over a quarter of the new state aid proposed in the governor's first budget. C4E districts…

The commissioner of the New York State Education Department describes a plan to improve elementary and secondary education, with particular emphasis on assuring excellence and equity. Implications for gifted students include a flexible study pace, intensive summer study and interdisciplinary projects. (CL)

Presents alternative educational principles from the point of view of a "social educator" which should be considered by the New York State Education Department as it revises the secondary social studies program. The primary function of a "social educator" is also discussed. (RM)

Draws parallel between 18th century British scientists unwillingness to recognize a non-scientist's discovery of how to determine longitude at sea with New York education leaders current unwillingness to consider alternatives to high-stakes testing. (PKP)

Describes a special student whose determination to succeed despite disabilities was an important lesson for an entire school. (MD)

The history of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and its relationship with the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) sheds some light on the most recent failed attempt of the NEA and the AFT to merge. The merger, in 1972, of NEA's New York State Teachers Association with the AFT's New York…

A superintendent of Stockbridge Valley Central Schools, a rural district in central New York State, describes student, staff, parent, and community reactions to a brand-new K-12 building in their own words. Feelings of concern and doubt were dissipated by the time the building opened. (MLH)

The development and progress of health education curricula for New York state public schools are discussed, and the need for further work and more collaboration among health educators is suggested. (CB)