ICYMI: Top Eduposts of Week (7/5)

I'm going to try a new feature- a weekly roundup of  the posts from the week that were worth a look. I can guarantee that the list will not be all-inclusive, but it will be posts that I think deserve having some attention thrown their way.

Line in the Sand

Here's your "if you only read one post" post. Valerie Strauss presents a guest writer who likes Common Core (kind of) and believes in testing, but whose experience as a test scorer was just too appalling to bear. A real eye-opener for people wondering just how objective the Big Standardized Tests can be.

Are Teachers Professionals?

Sarah Blaine continues a conversation that has been going on across several blogs by noting (correctly, I think) one of the critical differences between teaching and professions like lawyering and doctoring.
 
US DOE Continues To Force Test Failure on Children With Special Needs and ELL Students

Nancy Bailey comments on the feds' ruling that Ne York may not common sense testing adaptations for English language learners and students with special needs. Because reasons.

State Teacher Equity Plans

Russ Walsh looks at what's wrong with some state plans for putting a super-duper teacher in every classroom.

Racism and the Charter School Movement

Over at truth-out, a professor of ethics and moral leadership breaks down the fallacies of the modern charter movement.

Questor says sell

Mercedes Schneider uncovers British investment advisors telling their customers to dump Pearson stock. 

Charter-Gras 2015

Ashana Bigard travels to this years National Charter Schools convention in New Orleans, and she has a few question.

Leo Buscaglia on Education

If you are of a certain age, you remember Leo Buscaglia, teh guy who wanted us all to hug each other more often (among other things). Maria Popova dips into some of Buscaglia's writings to find some observations about education.