How to measure learning. New America Foundation’s Amy Laitinen writes about the “curious birth and harmful legacy of the credit hour.” Education Sector earlier co-released a paper with Laitinen that outlines the problems of measuring learning based on credits, or seat time, and instead encourages a higher education system that measures learning based on competencies. (The Chronicle of Higher EdContinue Reading »

No more forgotten lunch money. Students in one Florida school district pay for school lunches by scanning their palms, which are linked to their accounts. (USA Today)

Can creativity be taught? Respondents to a new survey say yes. And NASA arguably thinks so; the company hosts a monthly class for its employees aimed at boosting creativity. (The Daily Press)

Arne Duncan as SecretaryContinue Reading »

Can you measure creativity in the classroom? A few states, including Massachusetts, California, and Oklahoma, are trying to find a way. (Education Week)

Bring out the crystal balls. Kindergarten officials in China were offering palm-reading assessments for toddlers to predict their intelligence levels (for a hefty price), but federal officials quashed that practice last week. (h/t JoanneContinue Reading »

Quick Hits is a short compilation of question-raising news stories, blog posts, and video clips that Education Sector team members are reading and viewing each day. The content of these Hits is not necessarily endorsed by the organization or any particular team member.

What is creativity anyway? (Stay Out of School)

Can’t attend NewSchools Summit today?  Follow theContinue Reading »