Weekend Reads: How Teach For America is switching up its recruiting process

  • 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)
  • A Center for American Progress analyst argues that if we really want to show appreciation for teachers, we would give them a raise. (U.S. News & World 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)
  • Data from 13 million students who took international math exams show that those who think of math as a set of connected ideas do better than those who memorize steps. (Hechinger Report)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • 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)
  • During Teacher Appreciation Week, recognizing some of pop culture’s more nuanced depictions of the profession. (Washington Post)