Second Step is a program that teaches children how to solve ethical dilemmas. Research has demonstrated the program's effectiveness. Students report that schools do not protect kids from hazing and in fact may reward the most aggressive students with leadership positions while belittling and marginalizing students who are different. Working toward a common, universal ethical vision in a diverse society is also discussed. The Roads to Mastery K-12, Dr. W. James Popham explores standardized tests and likens employing standardized achievement tests to ascertain educational quality to measuring temperature with a tablespoon.
Tablespoons have a different measurement mission than indicating how hot or cold something is.
Standardized achievement tests have a different measurement mission than indicating how good or bad a school is. The article focuses on why standardized tests scores are invalid. It also offers solutions for educators frustrated with standardized assessment. This Harvard Education Letter article reports on the growing number of educators who are experimenting with cooperative teaching, or the practice of pairing a special educator with a regular educator in a single classroom to facilitate inclusive instruction. It works, and formerly skeptical teachers now see true benefits to inclusive schools.