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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: common core, reading & literacy, mathematics, STEM, social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.
Federal
Study: Teacher Bias Affects Girls' Outcomes in STEM
A new study of Israeli students shows that teacher bias can influence girls' performance in STEM subjects and their decision to pursue further studies in the subject.
Curriculum
Textbook-Navigation Tool Helps Teachers Locate Standards
Researcher William Schmidt has created a tool that helps teachers determine where exactly a particular standard is taught within a specific textbook.
Assessment
English Teachers' Group Seeks to 'Reclaim Assessment'
The National Council of Teachers of English reaches out to literacy teachers to explore the role assessment plays in their instruction.
Assessment
Chicago Reverses Course, Will Give PARCC Test Districtwide
Chicago school officials say that the district can't risk the threatened loss of state and federal funding that could attend its refusal to give the test districtwide.
Assessment
Opting Out of Testing: A Befuddling Mix of State Rules
A new research paper finds that the law in most states isn't clear about whether parents can opt their children out of testing.
Science
Did the Common-Core Math Writers Accidentally Drop a Standard?
A member of the common-core feedback group said that somewhere within the many drafts of the document the writers lost a geometry standard.
States
Arkansas Will Require High Schools to Offer Computer Science
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a bill yesterday mandating that all public high schools in Arkansas offer computer science classes.
Standards & Accountability
Georgia to Abandon Mandate on Teaching Integrated Math
Starting next school year, Georgia high schools will have the option to ditch "integrated math" and go back to the traditional Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II sequence that teachers there have said they prefer.
Curriculum
Obama to Give All 4th Graders Free Admission to National Parks
The President announced yesterday that, starting in September, all 4th grade students and their families will have free access to national parks and other public lands and waters for a year.
Assessment
New York Keeps PARCC at Arm's Length
New York state has been dating PARCC for several years now, but it sent signals this week that it's not ready to plan a wedding.
Curriculum
Raspberry Pi, Used to Teach Students Coding, Hits 5 Million Sales
This week, the group that created the credit-card-sized computers announced that it had sold more than 5 million units.
Assessment
Florida Gov. Scott Orders Suspension of 11th Grade Tests
The state's education commissioner also targets additional high school tests for elimination.
Curriculum
Proposal to Ban Advanced Placement U.S. History Moves Ahead in Oklahoma
The bill from GOP Rep. Dan Fisher would ban the use of state funds on materials and activities related to AP U.S. History; Fisher said the course's framework "emphasizes 'what is bad about America.'"
States
Oklahoma Won't Double-Test Advanced Math Students
This spring, Oklahoma middle school students who are taking advanced mathematics courses—i.e., Algebra I, Algebra II, or Geometry—will no longer be required to also take their grade-level math tests.