Curriculum Matters
This blog covered news on the common core, literacy, math, STEM, social studies, the arts, and other curriculum and instruction topics. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: common core, reading & literacy, mathematics, STEM, social studies, and curriculum.
Standards & Accountability
PARCC Common-Core Test Gets Federal Approval
The new decision by the U.S. Department of Education conveys unconditional approval of the PARCC test as a measurement of Maryland's standards. But that finding doesn't yet apply to its use in other states.
Reading & Literacy
Washington Post Owner Bezos Gives to News Literacy Group
Bezos, also the CEO of Amazon.com, will give $250,000 to the News Literacy Project.
Standards & Accountability
D.C. Will Invalidate 2 Years of Science-Test Scores
The cancellation will cause headaches for the 48,000-student district, which will have to seek a federal waiver because of the snafus.
Mathematics
A Look at Science and Engineering Indicators in the U.S.
The National Science Foundation's biennial statistical collection helps put U.S. math and science education efforts into context.
School & District Management
'Truth Decay' in American Society: What Is Schools' Role?
A report from Rand outlines a research agenda to better understand the phenomenon of "truth decay," with implications for K-12 schools.
Social Studies
How Is Policing Depicted in Children's Books? Oakland Librarians Took a Look
Children's librarians at the Oakland Public Library developed a toolkit to help peers evaluate how police officers and policing are represented in the books they offer for children.
Curriculum
Bible-Literacy Classes Go Beyond Letter of the Law, Argues Kentucky ACLU
Some Kentucky public schools are offering Bible-literacy classes with assignments that are in violation of the U.S. Constitution, alleges the American Civil Liberties Union.
Curriculum
What Are the Top Grammar and Writing Errors of 2017?
Mixing up lay and lie was the top usage error of 2017, according to a recent report by NoRedInk, a website that aims to help students bone up on grammar and writing skills.
Reading & Literacy
What's 'Hot' In Literacy Policy Isn't Always What Experts Think Merits Attention
Digital literacy and testing may be hot topics, but respondents to a new survey want more of a focus on teacher preparation and materials.
School & District Management
Foreign-Language Courses Plummet in Oklahoma. What About Other States?
A third of Oklahoma high schools no longer offer even one foreign language; rural schools are hardest hit. A lack of data makes it hard to know whether other states have similar patterns.
Curriculum
Teacher Fired Over Art History Flap Involving Nude Paintings
The incident raises broader questions about what age or grade level is appropriate for discussions of the nude, which has been represented in art for thousands of years.
Curriculum
Illinois Teachers Map Trail of Tears Route Through Their Own Backyard
The interactive Trail of Tears curriculum stresses "place-based learning."
Social Studies
Judge Blocks Arizona From Banning Ethnic Studies Classes
A federal judge has blocked an Arizona state law that led to the shuttering of a popular Mexican-American history course in Tucson Unified School District.
Science
From Our Research Center
Chemistry Absent From 3 in 5 Secondary Schools, Analysis Finds
Many schools don't offer a standalone chemistry class, and even in those that do, black and Hispanic students are less likely to take it.