The Week Ahead in Education Politics: ‘A Nation at Risk’ Turns 35, the Opioid Crisis, Assessments & More
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EMAIL INBOX: EVALUATING PROGRESS – A significant number of influential figures in federal education policy, both past and present, will convene in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to examine the advancements made since the release of "A Nation at Risk" 35 years ago. This groundbreaking report played a crucial role in launching the modern education reform movement.
The Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute has organized a full-day event for elected officials, former education secretaries, and education advocates. The first panel, moderated by Romy Drucker from , will feature a conversation between Janet Napolitano, the former secretary of Homeland Security and governor of Arizona who currently serves as the president of the University of California, and Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state and provost of Stanford University.
During this event, leaders will also have the opportunity to review the latest data from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card, which was released on Tuesday. This test assesses the math and reading performance of fourth and eighth-grade students in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the schools administered by the Defense Department. Additionally, this year’s results will include data from 27 major urban districts, some of which will be reported for the first time.
According to the 2015 results, there was a decline in scores, with education leaders speculating that the implementation of the more rigorous Common Core State Standards was a possible contributing factor. State education officials have also expressed concerns that up to 10 percent of test administrations may yield artificially lower scores due to students’ lack of experience with technology.
On Monday, middle schoolers from the D.C. area will have the opportunity to meet with First Lady Melania Trump at the White House. The agenda for the meeting will focus on discussing the challenges faced by children today, allowing the students to share their personal triumphs and struggles. This event is particularly relevant as Barron Trump, the Trumps’ son, attends St. Andrew’s Episcopal in Potomac, Maryland.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee will host a hearing on Wednesday, addressing the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018. This bill aims to combat the opioid crisis through various initiatives, including a program on drug prevention for children and young adults. The bill also proposes the establishment of a grant program dedicated to enhancing student support services and integrating mental health care in schools.
On Thursday, the Learning Policy Institute, led by Stanford professor Linda Darling-Hammond, will hold a briefing on Capitol Hill about performance assessment. This briefing will examine alternative methods of assessing students’ learning and critical thinking skills, which go beyond traditional standardized tests. The event will feature discussions among education leaders and representatives from civil rights groups. Senator Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, a Democrat, will also deliver remarks, highlighting New Hampshire’s experimentation with competency-based performance assessments over the past few years.
To conclude the week, the Center for American Progress and Education Trust will host a panel discussion in Chicago on the recent successes of the city’s schools. By certain measures, Chicago’s school district has been recognized as the fastest-improving district in the country. Janice K. Jackson, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, and Representative Danny Davis, a Democrat representing Illinois, will both deliver speeches during the event.
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