Marc Tucker was president of the National Center on Education and the Economy. For two decades, his research focused on the policies and practices of the countries with the best education systems. This blog is no longer being updated.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
MOOCs: More Social Mobility or Less?
Marc Tucker takes a look at the rise of MOOCs from the perspective of social mobility.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
The Myth of Education as the 'Great Equalizer'
Marc Tucker explains why our education system fails to offset social inequities.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
David Kirp on Education Reform
Marc Tucker finds parallels between the education reform strategies used in the U.S. school districts featured in David Kirp's new book, "Improbable Scholars", and the strategies used in the top-performing education systems. He also explains why American education policy is at war with itself.
Education
Opinion
Ravitch and Krashen: Last Round in Common-Core Debate
Marc Tucker argues that in order to greatly improve U.S. student achievement we need to do more than reducing the levels of student poverty and also focus on instituting a fairer finance system and improving teacher quality.
Education
Opinion
Further Response to Diane Ravitch on Common Core
In response to a commentary to Diane Ravitch, Marc Tucker explores the debate around whether or not the common core state standards are developmentally appropriate for the early grades.
Education
Opinion
Diane Ravitch: Wrong on the Common Core
In response to Diane Ravitch coming out against the Common Core State Standards, Marc Tucker argues that the Common Core is needed in order to establish clear expectations of what our children need to know and be able to do when they graduate from high school and at key points along the way.
Education
Opinion
Teacher Quality: Three Views of How to Get It
Marc Tucker explores three leading strategies to improve teacher quality in the United States.
Education
Opinion
The Federal Role in Education Today: How We Got Here and Where We Need to Go
Marc Tucker looks at how the federal role in education has changed over the past few decades and suggests that before the federal role grows even larger, the nation should have a major conversation about the direction of education reform.
Education
Opinion
The Common Core Standards: Arguments Against and For
In response to Yong Zhao's arguments against the Common Core State Standards, Marc Tucker explains that far from diminishing students' creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, well developed and internationally benchmarked standards can and should foster the critical thinking and analytical skills our students will find vital to competing in an increasingly global market.
Education
Opinion
The Federal Role in Education Today: Why It Makes No Sense At All
Marc Tucker examines the federal role in education today and argues, that in principal, there is very little distinguishing it from the state role in education.
Education
Opinion
The Chief State School Officers Weigh In on Teacher Quality
Marc Tucker responds to the Council of Chief State School Officers' call to action on teacher quality and argues that, while the proposal is a step in the right direction, the chief state school officers need to take a more systematic view of creating a world-class teaching force.
Education
Opinion
Next Steps for the "Bar Exam"
A guest blog by Jal Mehta, Assistant Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education, on how the AFT can build upon its bar exam proposal.
Education
Opinion
The AFT Embraces Teacher Quality
Marc Tucker takes a look at the AFT's report on improving teacher quality, explaining that more rigorous teacher licensure standards, coupled with improved teacher compensation and professional environments, could dramatically improve the teaching force.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
The Skills Gap
Marc Tucker explains that at the root of the skills gap challenge, there is a failure to provide the kind and quality of basic education that is the foundation of good vocational training.