State policies on teacher quality. Sara Mead examines new teacher effectiveness laws in 21 states, including regulations regarding evaluations and personnel decisions like dismissals and retention efforts. The report includes state-by-state summaries. (Bellwether Education)
(Most) everything everyone thinks about education. Three-fourths of Americans believe that the Common Core State Standards will improve the quality of education in the United States, and more than half say the standards will increase our ability to compete globally, according to annual PDK/Gallup poll on education. A host of other findings are here. (PDK)
A call for better teacher preparation. Student teaching should be less “lottery-like” and more deliberate about placing teachers-in-training in classrooms with experienced educators who employ best practices, argues this columnist. (Washington Post)
“Undroppable.” A new documentary, slated for a 2013 release, will highlight the high school dropout problem across country. (Des Moines Register)