R&D Bedfellows

Our Bedfellows – We have been very gratified by the number of organizations that have recently called for greater support for R&D in education or some derivative there of. Here is a current list of our bedfellows.

Prez-elect Obama
Learning First Alliance,
Forum for Education and Democracy
National Education Association
Education Sector
NCLB Commission
Brookings Institution
Broader, Bolder Coalition
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
National School Boards Association

The New Three R's: Rigor, Relevance, Responsiveness

We think that the measure of an effective research enterprise has to do with the rigor, relevance, and responsiveness of research when it comes to addressing the needs of policy makers and practitioners. These new Three R's were the subject of the recently released five-year report of National Board for Education. The Board concluded that “… in a relatively brief period of time, the Institute has made exceptional progress in improving the rigor and relevance of education research in our nation. Under the leadership of its first director, Grover Whitehurst, the Institute has accomplished what many believed could not be done…” Hmmm…what about use and responsiveness? Let the Knowledge-able Sourcerer know your thoughts.

Plumbing the Plum Book

Check this out, Obamaniacs “… Every four years, just after the Presidential election, the United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions, commonly known as the Plum Book, is published…to identify presidentially appointed positions within the Federal Government…” See it right here. Who will be the plummers?

My Hero---Dick Riley

Riley one of Time’s Top Ten Best Cabinet Sec --- We couldn’t agree more with the magazine’s assessment of great cabinet secretaries when it includes Dick Riley (secretary of ed 1992-2000) in the top 10 here

Transition Teaming

Transition Teaming --- The transition process can be particularly complex and chaotic as the winning candidate shifts from campaign mode to governing mode. See this Ed Week article on the transition and Kohlmoos’ comments. Compared to the Clinton effort in 1992, the Obama operation is exceptionally well disciplined and tightly managed. As we reported last week, the education policy team will be headed by Linda Darling Hammond and the education agency review will be headed by our friend Judy Winston. See all the team members here

Finally, the winna!

Remember this contest here and here So who is the winna? .... Well Max and Ludy won by 2 electoral votes (Jim K predicted 353 for Barack and Max and Ludy predicted 375. And Barack finished with 365...!!! Stuffed owls for the two winnas

10 for 100

Here are 10 predictions for the first 100 days of the Obama Administration---most of which have relevance to education.
#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