Straight from JYVÄSKYLÄ

Say where? Very interesting how the world is flocking to the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe to find out what’s up with the great test scores. Is the WSJ correct in this article

Bi-polarism?

We reported last week that Lisa Graham Keegan (top McCain ed advisor) was working for Joel Klein and Al Sharpton on the Education Equity Project (EEP). In what she organizing a big time event on the Ellipse in May “… to say that on the 55th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education...55 years is too long to wait…” Is this a case of if-you-can’t-beat-em-join-em or an example of the symmetry of the political spectrum with the extremes actually thinking alike?

A shift in philosophy at the ED?

We think that ED Daily made a very interesting observation last week about an apparent major shift in ED policy from previous administrations. “… Duncan's tenure at ED signals a philosophical break from the department's past, as Duncan has said that he believes ED's role is a clearinghouse and catalyst for good ideas -- not a developer of them, nor an oracle of knowledge. In addition, Duncan has told Congress that he will set strict goals, such as higher standards, but permit states considerable leeway in meeting them…” what do you make of this? How might it affect the rold of education's knowledge industry?

3/3/09 & 3/14 at 1:59 pm

Say what?
You knowledge-able, math-oriented, calendarologistically-crazed readers might be able to answer these questions:
What day was celebrated on March 3, 2009?
How many times in this century will it be celebrated?
What will be celebrated at exactly 1:59 pm on March 14?
(It happens to be Einstein's birthday but that is not the answer we are looking for)

50% of the First 100

You readers with good memories might recall that just after the election we made some bold predictions about the first 100 days of the Obama Administration. Well, by our count the mid point of the first 100 days will be this week. Let’s see how we are doing. Tell us what you think.

#1 The fiscal crisis will trump everything
#2 Appropriations issues will be the Big Issue
#3 The reauthorization of ESEA will be a whisper of an issue
#4 The new Secretary of Education will be a governor
#5 The battles will be internicine rather than partisan
#6 Obama will govern from above the middle
#7 ED policy will focus primarily on college access and affordability
#8 Standards-base reform will continue but…
#9 The campaign for 2012 will begin on January 21, 2009 
#10 The new puppy will be a mixed pound-puppy not named Spot