More than 50 percent of students who have completed Algebra II in high school find themselves in a remedial math course in college. (Even 13 percent of those who complete Calculus do.) How can this happen?

A new report suggests that these students have been pushed through basic math concepts, such as math modeling and complex measurement, so they can complete high school graduation requiContinue Reading »

A paper released recently by the Community College Research Center reminds the champions of MOOCs and other online initiatives of one very important detail: Not all students prefer an online education; many higher education students still want in-person discussions and on-the-spot feedback.

But that’s not to say it will stay that way.

The CCRC paper is based on a small survey of cContinue Reading »

Officials at eCore, the University System of Georgia’s online curriculum, collect heaps of student data every year: individual course completion rates, withdrawal rates, and even the number of those identified as at-risk each semester.

Every day, Melanie Clay, dean of eCore, says she looks at the dropout rate and compares it to the rate at the same time last year. “If it’s not going in tContinue Reading »

Not your traditional lecture hall. San Jose State University officials saw pass rates jump more than 30 percent to 91 percent in a “dreaded electrical engineering course” required for all engineering majors. Officials credit a new flipped classroom model that requires students to watch lectures at home and work through assignments in class. (Oakland Tribune, h/t Community College Spotlight) Continue Reading »

The bad news continues for Erie, Pa.

I wrote about this lakeside city last year, detailing failed efforts to establish a community college in the town formerly known for its manufacturing prowess. While a lot of those industrial jobs moved abroad, the ones that are left are more technical, requiring credentials and training beyond high school. Without a community college, Erie workers onContinue Reading »

Could it be all those teachers he’s fired? Ninety-one percent of Los Angeles teachers expressed “no confidence” in Superintendent John Deasy. (Los Angeles Times)

The stuff of dreams. A San Diego high school gets a $3.6 million career tech complex for courses in the media and entertainment industries. It includes studios, a screening room, video editing rooms, an audio suite and shed for Continue Reading »

“Extremely suspect accounting.” The profits made by student loans is “more fiction than fact.” Andrew Kelly explains. (The Atlantic)

Where’s the money? Administrative positions seem to be the next financial leech in higher ed, but the analysis shouldn’t stop there, writes Matthew Yglesias. (Money Box)

Quieting the Dance of the Lemons. In 2011-12, Los Angeles Unified School DistricContinue Reading »

Budget fun! The White House, of course, has edu-highlights on President Obama’s proposed budget, released today. Politics K-12 also has a good rundown of what’s most important.

Ask the students. Tom Kane outlines the advantages of using student surveys as a component of teacher evaluations. (Chalkboard/Brookings Institution)

Spelling is for wussies. The National Spelling Bee will Continue Reading »

Before you roll your eyes at another MOOC story, consider this: An Ohio community college has developed a math MOOC not for its students, but for its local high school students. Why? To get more students math-ready before they come to campus.

It’s an interesting take on the Massive Open Online Course, which — for all its fanfare — still hasn’t seemed to have developed a scalable, sustainContinue Reading »

Will the President’s budget be Dead On Arrival? Could be, given how late it is (it’s expected this week). Still, Politics K-12 outlines a few things to keep an eye on. (Education Week)

Student loan debt for those without degrees. In 2009, the median federal student debt for college dropouts was 35 percent of their annual income (and highest for students at 4-year nonprofit institutions: Continue Reading »