For me, the most interesting aspect of this article is the continuing segregation of students in our schools by income. It also have a brief summary of what has happened in the Wake County Schools

Teachers grading parents-a good read

A lot has been made of the success of KIPP students and schools. Their formula doesn't seem be revolutionary (longer hours = greater achievement), but their success relies on charter school laws that allow for their existence and provide for their substanially higher per-pupil costs.

One of the arguments made in the Murphy article is that Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with the quality of public education. Yet, one of the most consistent findings in the PDK Gallup Polls over time is that the parents of public school parents might be lukewarm about education in general, but tend to be very satisfied with the school their child attends. This brief also contains some interesting information on the public's perceptions of current school reforms.