Politicians Ignore Research, Say Smaller Class Size Makes No Difference

By Ava Wallace Michigan high school teacher Laura Sauer teaches two class periods that are nearly identical in demographics but much less similar in academic achievement. One of Sauer’s English classes has consistently higher test scores, and consistently better writing samples and class presentations. What makes that difference, Sauer explains, is the number of students [...]

Does Class Size Really Matter?

By Cindy Long If you’re a good teacher, the number of students in your class shouldn’t be a factor – at least according to a growing chorus of self-styled education reformers. In a recent speech to the National Governor’s Association, Bill Gates said the nation could improve education – even in an era of extreme budget [...]

NEA’s Waiting for Superman Resources

A barrel-chested comic book character must save public education? Compelling soundbite to sell a movie maybe but when it comes to real education reform, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel gives the American public more credit than the backers of Waiting for Superman. “Nowhere in the film or its discussion have teachers’ voices been heard,” says [...]