- The co-CEO of Teach for America explains how, in response to the organization’s recruiting challenges, it is starting the process earlier and customizing teaching positions to applicants’ interests. (Forbes)
- Middle class parents opting their kids out of state tests in New York have a point, and shouldn’t be ignored by those looking to improve schools, argues Frederick Hess. (U.S. News & Word Report)
- HBO’s John Oliver takes on standardized testing, arguing that tests are taking too big a toll on students. (YouTube)
- One advocate takes Oliver to task over his logic, but also concedes that the education field needs a better sense of humor. (Justin Cohen)
- And, in response to the clip, a Pearson official defends testing’s role in ensuring equity for students. (Answer Sheet)
- Michael Petrilli argues that one reason the opt-out movement is bigger in New York and New Jersey than elsewhere in the country is the strength of teachers unions. (Flypaper)
- During Teacher Appreciation Week, recognizing some of pop culture’s more nuanced depictions of the profession. (Washington Post)
- A Center for American Progress analyst argues that if we really want to show appreciation for teachers this week, we would give them a raise. (U.S. News & World Report)
- A look at the student organizing efforts behind a campaign to increase the number of sports teams available for students in New York City’s small high schools. (The Nation)
- Stephen Colbert is helping fund every grant request from South Carolina teachers on the crowdfunding site DonorsChoose, with nearly $800,000 going to more than 800 teachers at 375 schools. (Greenville News)
- Two new reports suggest that schools should be skipping more high-achieving children through grades, but district policies often get in the way. (NPR Ed)
- More schools serving low-income students are making it a priority to get kids taking Advanced Placement classes. (WUNC)
Weekend Reads: How Teach For America is switching up its recruiting process
Second-graders at P.S. 307 in Brooklyn do an experiment with water in 2015.
Stephanie Snyder