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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 This blog is no longer being updated.

Curriculum Opinion Differentiated Instruction: A Solution to the School Finance Crisis?
Marc Tucker uses an example from his granddaughter's schooling to explain why only implementing one component of effective systems, in this case differentiated instruction, will not go very far in helping U.S. students catch up with their international peers.
Marc Tucker, June 28, 2012
5 min read
Assessment Opinion STEM: Why It Makes No Sense
Marc Tucker argues that in order to increase student skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the United States will have to abandon STEM programs.
Marc Tucker, June 19, 2012
7 min read
Assessment Opinion Obama and Romney on Education Policy: Part II
Marc Tucker compares the presidential candidates' education agendas.
Marc Tucker, June 14, 2012
8 min read
Assessment Opinion A Few Questions for Obama and Romney on Education Policy
Marc Tucker poses some questions on education policy for the presidential candidates.
Marc Tucker, June 6, 2012
6 min read
Teaching Profession Opinion Sahlberg's Vision: Balancing Teacher Capacity and National Education Goals
Marc Tucker, May 29, 2012
7 min read
Assessment Opinion Equity and Quality: Is it Possible to Get Both?
Marc Tucker examines a recent OECD report that proves it is possible to achieve equity and quality in education.
Marc Tucker, May 22, 2012
7 min read
Assessment Opinion Implementing the Common Core State Standards
Marc Tucker takes a look at new research arguing that the Common Core K-8 standards in mathematics are comparable to those used by the world's top-performing countries.
Marc Tucker, May 15, 2012
4 min read
Federal Opinion Teacher Quality and Teacher Accountability
Marc Tucker argues for converting teaching from a blue collar occupation into a high status profession that offers profound satisfaction and reasonable compensation.
Marc Tucker, May 8, 2012
7 min read
Standards & Accountability Opinion College Loan Interest Rates: The Real Issue
Marc Tucker calls for a serious change in the way we fund our higher education institutions.
Marc Tucker, May 1, 2012
5 min read
Assessment Opinion Finland Embraced a Highly Productive Reform Strategy; The United States is Racing Toward a Dead End—Why?
Marc Tucker traces the broad outlines of the history of education in Finland and the United States to explain why one country has experienced educational success while the other lags behind.
Marc Tucker, April 25, 2012
9 min read
Standards & Accountability Opinion A Response to Jay Greene
Marc Tucker responds to Jay Greene's review of NCEE's latest book, Surpassing Shanghai.
Marc Tucker, April 18, 2012
7 min read
Equity & Diversity Opinion School-by-School vs. System Reform: Why Business Leaders Need to Go Back to the Future
Marc Tucker explains how business leaders can equitably serve American school children.
Marc Tucker, April 12, 2012
9 min read
Assessment Opinion How Australia Developed a National Curriculum and Assessment System
An interview with Barry McGaw, the the Chair of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and a Professorial Fellow at the University of Melbourne, on how Australia developed a national curriculum and assessment system.
Marc Tucker, April 5, 2012
11 min read
Assessment Opinion An Isolationist Report From the Council On Foreign Relations
Marc Tucker reviews "U.S. Education Reform and National Security", the latest report from the Council on Foreign Relations.
Marc Tucker, March 26, 2012
7 min read