I just started adding an AI audio player to my weekly column Proof Points. Curious if any readers have clicked on the play button and what they think. Ok, terrible? (The actual button is at the top of the story under the headline. hechingerreport.org/proof-points... )

Fascinating aspect of the study: it's possible to estimate how many students are on their cellphones during the school day through companies that monitor mobile activity. Here is pre and post ban in one school district in FL. (2/2)

More details on stats, assessments and research activities that @usedgov.bsky.social has restarted. (click within the story to see the full table) hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

IES now has a giant search bar on its homepage, like Google search.

Tech glitches at ED. Both NCES and IES websites went down for > 9 hours from midnight ET last night to 9am ET this morning. Researchers said they were unable to make tables using datalab and powerstats yesterday. But all is back and running now. IT employees at ED were part of mass firings in March.

Whoever put together yesterday's Part I "New Condition of Education" report had access to the Education Department's website, but didn't seem to know where to find the data. (1/3)

It published sparse "highlights" on 5 topics, such as public school enrollment. But a closer looks shows that half of the 9 tables are old, still to be updated, or "coming soon." (7/9)

The giant apple behind Sec'y McMahon is strangely mesmerizing, like Jupiter orbiting around the sun.

If you're in Denver @aeraedresearch.bsky.social annual meeting (#AERA2025), come meet the press today (Friday) at 9:50 in the Mile High Ballroom 4AB.

"These are recommendations that we are making with much pain," said Beverly Perdue, former NC Gov and NAGB Chair, who was appointed during Trump I admin. "None of us want to do this." Here is the new schedule: (2/3)

Data files have been removed, such as this one:

English learners have grown from 10% of students in 2013 to 13% in 2024. No increase between 2022 and 2024.

Where's the alert button? JK. But seriously looking forward to seeing these. In my reporting, there was more economic diversity than I expected among high and low performers. hechingerreport.org/naep-test-20...

This chart encapsulates today's NAEP Score report. Only high achieving kids are making some catch up progress, the bottom is falling. Read my story: hechingerreport.org/naep-test-20...

But in 8th grade, even our best and brightest students are faltering. No amount of $$, tutoring or helicopter parenting can prop these kids up. Shows that school matters as math complexity increases. (5/5)

Different stories for 4th v 8th graders. In 4th grade, there's a bifurcation of math skills with a small cluster at the top, a growing cluster at the bottom and a hollowing out of the middle. (4/5)

The gender gap in math never disappeared for younger 4th graders, but look at how it has widened to an historic record. What is going on with the girls?! (3/5)

The U.S. had eliminated the gender gap in middle school math. As scores have slid, it's come back with a vengeance. (2/5)

One reason why so few 8th graders in the poorest schools are ready to take algebra: too much class time spent reviewing old stuff and disciplining students. Two more reasons in my story: hechingerreport.org/proof-points...