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Will national standards save public education?

The lead story in this morning's New York Times tracks a shift in national consciousness towards a systemic solution to the public education problem. More than half of the states are adopting national standards of education that will hopefully lead to incremental reforms in public schools across the country.

Featured Post

TAF Summer Reading List

Any student will tell you that just because summer is upon us, doesn't mean the schoolwork ends. Summer reading lists are crucial (particularly for low-income students and students of color) for preventing a "summer slide" in their cumulative learning. Summer is not the time for adults to forget about education, either. TAF invites you to join our Summer Reading List.

TAF Side Notes

• Jennifer Youngblood, Supplemental Services Coordinator at TAF Academy: "What surprised me was how well the students were getting along with each other during Spring Tech Camp last month.  Two 5th graders from neighboring Star Lake Elementary joined us. They are considering attending TAF Academy next year, and they fit in so well! It was personally fulfilling to see the how technology was bridging a gap between the two schools and leading our students to foster such a warm welcome!" See more of TAF Academy Spring Tech Camp. #
• Andrew Miller, 9th grade, English/Social Studies at TAF Academy: “In a traditional school, a lot of people [say], ‘You can have student-centered learning.’ No, you cannot… You can have student-centered activities, but you cannot have student-centered learning.  That was the biggest thing that drew me to TAF Academy… and the biggest challenge, moving to a model where [students are] taking peer ownership of their learning where they get to determine, ‘How am I going to be assessed? What should I be assessed on? What do I want to learn about?’” Hear more of what Andrew had to say about his first year at TAF Academy. #
• From time to time, one of our teachers, students or staff members will have an idea to share... a story to tell... or evidence of progress being made.  SIDE NOTES are written from a first-person perspective to take you behind all the research and hard news listed on this blog.  SIDE NOTES will give you give you a moment to reflect on what's happening at TAF and plenty of time to believe that DEGREES MATTER for all of our students. #