Inflation in the Classroom

Decades ago, while still in grad school, I read a book that left a lasting impression. Written by Alan Nairn, then a young associate of Ralph Nader, The Reign of ETS contained what struck me as a stinging criticism of what was then known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test – a…

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The Nation’s Report Card and Your Private School

Beginning in September, 2023, a handful of the nation’s private schools will be invited to participate in the 2024 administration of the National Assessment of Education Progress, also known by its acronym, NAEP, and its more popular designation, The Nation’s Report Card. If your school is among those selected to form a nationally…

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Someone is Watching

Last week, I submitted a one-sentence public comment in response to an obscure announcement buried within the California Department of Education’s website. At issue is a pending request from the CDE to the U.S. Department of Education to extend the period of time in which the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) may…

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Remembering a Friend

Last week I lost one of my dearest friends. Michael Adler was a renowned entertainment attorney whose clients included Oscar, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy winners. As Hollywood lawyers go, Mike was on any insider’s “A-List.” More importantly, his family, friends and colleagues knew Mike as an A+ human being.

Mike, who grew up in San…

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Private Schools: MIA

Earlier this month the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), popularly known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” released results of reading and mathematics assessments administered to a nationally representative sample of 9-year-old students in Winter, 2022. The numbers were daunting. Reading scores registered their largest drop since 1990, while scores in math showed…

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