Quick Hits (12.15.11)

Guestimations. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is under some criticism today, after the Center on Education Policy released a report that showed 48 percent of schools nationwide didn’t make Adequate Yearly Progress this year – far below Duncan’s earlier prediction of 82 percent. But Andy Rotherham says, “Wait, don’t shoot the messenger.” (Eduwonk)

The written word. In today’s age of e-books, iPads, and texting, writing (cursive, specifically) could easily be tossed from the public school curriculum, argue the authors of this op-ed. They highlight an early effort in Indiana to mandate cursive instruction in public schools. (Palladium-Item)

Dear Santa. An English and social studies teacher from Seattle asks for more informed evaluations – and, no, he says, that doesn’t include “Get rid of some extra desks and tables.” (Teaching Ahead/Education Week)

Otherwise what will parents do with all those apple note cards? The Alabama governor wants to exempt teachers from the state ethics law that prohibits them from receiving holiday gifts. (Because who wants “crapple“?) But more importantly, why are lawmakers so worried about the gifts that students give their teachers? (Associated Press)