Liz Cohen
lizcohen12.bsky.social
Liz Cohen
@lizcohen12.bsky.social
Policy Director, FutureEd at Georgetown. Former 50CAN, Whiteboard Advisors, DCPS, OSSE. Contrarian by nature. Lover of data and naps.
This demands urgency: "18% of 8th graders and 13% of 4th graders failed to hit the lowest achievement threshold. The proportions of ultra-low-performers were, respectively, twice and three times higher than they were in 2011."
www.the74million.org/article/four...
Four Insights into U.S. Students’ Drop in Math & Science on International Test
Tuesday’s release of TIMSS scores shows that American students fell behind their international peers during the pandemic.
www.the74million.org
December 4, 2024 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Liz Cohen
🚨 New TIMSS results 🚨

US student performance PLUNGED on the latest international math test.

Just shockingly bad.

“We have countries leapfrogging over us,” Carr said.
December 4, 2024 at 11:53 AM
What a get for The74! Excited for @phylliswjordan.bsky.social to continue contributing to important conversations in this new role!
I gave up full-time work before moving to California a few months ago. But I missed being part of the education eco-system. So I just signed on as a contributing editor at The 74, an education website I've written for and long admired. 1/2 www.the74million.org
The 74 – America's Education News Source
The 74 is a nonprofit news outlet covering U.S education from early childhood through college and career.
www.the74million.org
December 3, 2024 at 5:16 PM
Maybe this is a Boston ed news account now? A thoughtful and important op-ed about the downsides of de-tracking.

"Classes may appear more diverse...we have seen firsthand that the students who need the most support are those least served by multilevel."

www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/02/o...
In Newton, we tried an experiment in educational equity. It has failed. - The Boston Globe
“Multilevel classrooms” are not working for teachers or students, writes the head of Newton South High School’s Faculty Council.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 3, 2024 at 4:57 PM
It's hard not to feel sad watching what's sure to unfold in MA, a model for a so long. "...<12 of the state’s 50 largest districts require all students to take and pass coursework that [makes them] eligible for admission to the state’s flagship public university." www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/02/m...
With no more MCAS requirement, graduation standards vary widely among state’s largest districts - The Boston Globe
Advocates say the range of graduation requirements creates inequitable opportunities for students.
www.bostonglobe.com
December 2, 2024 at 5:52 PM
In need of motivation? Or looking to motivate others? I loved speaking with David Yeager about his recent book on motivating young people -- arguably, we can all benefit from a high-standards, high-support model.
www.future-ed.org/qa-david-yea...
Q&A: David Yeager on the Science of Motivating Young People
In his new book, “10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People,” David Yeager, Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and a FutureEd research advisor…
www.future-ed.org
November 21, 2024 at 7:45 PM
Reposted by Liz Cohen
Though most states are seeing a slight recovery from the highs of 2022, chronic absence from school remains a troubling problem. "This fundamental thing has shifted and we can't quite get it back," says @lizcohen12.bsky.social. www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
To Coax Kids Back, Schools Have to Innovate
Educators say new attitudes toward daily attendance are resulting in alarmingly high absenteeism
www.wsj.com
November 17, 2023 at 3:14 PM
Reposted by Liz Cohen
Today, Virginia is launching a statewide tutoring effort to help students recover. @maureenkelleher.bsky.social tells us what it will take from the state, principals, and teachers to succeed: www.the74million.org/article/as-v...
COVID Learning Loss: Virginia Launching Statewide Tutoring Initiative This Week
Kelleher: Communication, a focus on student outcomes and in-person help over time are essential if initiative is to succeed for the highest-need kids.
www.the74million.org
October 16, 2023 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Liz Cohen
I'd vote to ban cell phones in a lot places, but schools seem like a good place to start. Now there's pretty strong evidence that banning cell phones in schools improves student achievement, particularly for the lowest-achieving students.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Ill Communication: Technology, distraction & student performance
This paper investigates the impact of schools banning mobile phones on student test scores. By surveying schools in four English cities regarding thei…
www.sciencedirect.com
October 4, 2023 at 12:58 AM
I don't know who needs to hear this, but if you ask question at an event or panel, please don't tell a story. Just ask the question.
October 3, 2023 at 9:31 PM
Reposted by Liz Cohen
I increasingly feel my education policy views make me sound crotchety (schools should teach more rigorous math; teachers should have higher grading standards; test scores have a role to play in college admissions; college tends to pay off).

But I'd like to think it's evidence-based crotchetiness.
October 3, 2023 at 6:30 PM
This is an impressive national move to ban cell phones in schools. Would love to see more consensus on this here in the US. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Mobile phones are to be banned in schools
Gillian Keegan will order schools to outlaw smartphones during lessons, and also in breaks, in a bid to end disruption and make it easier for pupils to focus.
www.dailymail.co.uk
October 2, 2023 at 3:25 PM
Reposted by Liz Cohen
Important job opening in DC -- executive director of the school enrollment lottery.

Help OSSE recruit a great leader for this post -- or maybe you are that leader! osse.dc.gov/page/executi...
Executive Director - My School DC
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE is focuse...
osse.dc.gov
September 29, 2023 at 7:58 PM
Outcomes-based contracting in tutoring is so interesting, and has SO MUCH potential. This is a great piece about two districts I've also spoken with - what they're doing is some of the best stewarding of public funds I've seen. @the74
www.the74million.org/article/tuto...
September 27, 2023 at 2:59 PM
Once a data lover, always a data lover. I kept seeing "new attendance data!" & then realizing the "new" data was from 2021-22. Some districts are improving (ABQ, Detroit) while others are getting worse (MCPS MD, Oakland). Need state data for full picture; lagging data hurt efforts.
September 26, 2023 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Liz Cohen
Hey, we're here! Future Ed offers policy analysis and insightful commentary on K-12 education. Follow us and take a look at how states and district can keep tutoring going after the ESSER money is gone, from @lizcohen12.bsky.social. www.future-ed.org/a-long-term-...
A Long-Term Strategy for Funding High-Quality Tutoring
With millions of students struggling academically in the wake of the pandemic and a raft of research pointing to high quality tutoring as an effective way to raise student achievement, it’s not surp...
www.future-ed.org
September 22, 2023 at 5:32 PM
This feels like the 1st day of high school in a new place. I'm the policy director at FutureEd at Georgetown Univ McCourt School of Public Policy. Right now I'm particularly focused on tutoring, DC high schools, & chronic absenteeism. Generally interested in anything that's good for kids.
September 21, 2023 at 6:22 PM