When I began researching the issue of data privacy as a SCORE Graduate Fellow, the extent of my knowledge involved the acronym FERPA (which stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). I was informed of my FERPA rights to a confidential student record upon entering my freshman year of college. Little did I know…
Dear Friends, Who was the biggest contributor to your success when you were in school? For me, three talented teachers come to mind: Mrs. Seiler, who taught me to love reading, Mrs. Funderberk who showed me that while learning can be hard, it is also fun, and Mrs. Dunning, who spent countless hours patiently supporting…
Every year, SCORE releases a comprehensive report on the state of education in Tennessee that reviews progress and sets priorities for approaching challenges in the coming year. For example, this year’s report highlighted rigorous standards and assessments, effective school leadership, access to great teaching, using technology to enhance instruction, and supporting students from kindergarten through…
Marianne’s multiple-choice test was the easiest things in the world to grade. A, B, A, D, D, B….it’s right or it’s wrong and I move on. The problem is that in mathematics, all “A” really tells me is that Marianne (not her real name) can write down a letter. There are a dozen different reasons…
In 2009, approximately 7,000 Tennessee students with the academic preparation necessary to pass Advanced Placement (AP) exams entered high school. Four years later, only half of those students had succeeded on an AP exam, and the rates were even lower for economically disadvantaged students. Why? AP courses are one of several early postsecondary opportunities through…