Education Links, 11-2-11

*Eric Hanushek and Diane Ravitch are currently debating the merits of replacing/firing the bottom 10% of teachers.  The fourth installment should be posted on the Eduwonk blog tomorrow.  Here's a recap so far:


Part 1: Hanushek argues that we should "replace" the bottom 10% of teachers if we want to see large gains gains in achievement.

Part 2: Ravitch responds that "firing" teachers will only make teaching less attractive to the best and brightest and that we should instead focus recruiting, training, and retaining better teachers.

Part 3: Hanushek responds by arguing that Ravitch is mostly using red herrings and "applause lines" rather than disputing his point.  He further argues that identifying the worst teachers is eminently practical and that it will do a great deal of good.

*Jeff Brokaw argues that our fixation on the achievement gap means that our top-performing students get left behind

*A blogger from The Economist writes that middle-class families in Asia routinely spend 50% of their income on education

*Much attention has been given to Steven Brill's new book about teachers' unions and education reform.  Here's one breakdown of the evidence regarding the effects of unions.  And here's one good review of the book that asks whether teachers alone can overcome poverty.

*A new report from the conservative American Enterprise Institute concludes that teachers are paid too much.

*A senior fellow from the conservative Fordham Institute describes her visits to Chinese classrooms, complete with video examples

*Challis, ID is now evaluating teachers, in part, based on the degree to which they communicate with parents