jonathan lovell's blog

a site to explore the difference between meaningful and ill-conceived educational reform (note: you have to open a post for its links to be activated)

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The Common Core Memorandum of Understanding: What a Story

Originally posted on deutsch29:
The question of who, exactly, is truly responsible for writing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has been a matter for debate. Here is how the CCSS website (update 03-23-14: link altered on the CCSS website but preserved here) describes CCSS development: Building on the excellent foundation of standards states have laid, the Common Core State Standards are the first step in providing our young people with a…

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“make sure students like what they’re reading”–what a concept!

The new study by researchers at the TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center at Boston College, of 4th graders performance internationally in the areas of reading, math and science, as measured by the 2011 TIMSS (math and science) and PIRLS (reading) tests, reveals some interesting findings.  Some you might expect; others not.  The most important, at least for elementary teachers, is that in the highest scoring nations or regions (Singapore, […]

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Keeping our eye on the prize

This is the conclusion to an essay I wrote here in my “jonathan’s edutalk” blog.  It is somewhat re-worked from the version quoted a few entries earlier in the blog entry by Diane Ravitch sub-titled “when critics rage.” While I do not plan to circulate the resolution below, much as I think it would help to raise public consciousness on the issue of income inequality and student achievement, I think it […]

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Introduction to Fall 2013 Site Report to the NWP

CA San Jose Area Writing Project 2013 (Fall) NWP Site Report Author of this report: Jonathan Lovell, Director (Context and ISI 2013) I. The Current Context of Your Site When I was just starting my career in English Education, I used to commute between New Haven, where my then wife was an Assistant Professor of Art History at Yale University, and my work in New York City, where I was […]

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Jonathan Lovell: Think of This When Critics Rage

Posted By dianerav on September 29, 2013 Jonathan Lovell noticed that several critics of “Reign of Error” have attacked me, instead of engaging the issues I raise in the book. Jonathan teaches writing at San Jose State. He sent me this couplet, written by Alexander Pope: “Yes, I am proud; I must be proud to see Men, not afraid of God, afraid of me.” After I met him in Berkeley […]

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