School Yourself

Massachusetts MoJo: Will a Deep-Blue State Lead on Curriculum Reform?

All eyes on Massachusetts as landmark literacy legislation advances to the Senate in a bellwether blue state.

Nov 2 • 

Karen Vaites

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Curriculum Insight Project

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October 2025

Lessons from the Balanced Literacy superintendents’ revolt against curriculum improvement

With all eyes on the Massachusetts reading bill, I’m republishing my 2024 column on the state's Balanced Literacy holdouts.

Oct 30 • 

Karen Vaites

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The Southern Surge Watershed

National interest in the Southern Surge has finally surged. Here's a sober look at the prospects for replication.

Oct 23 • 

Karen Vaites

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March 2025

Wisconsin's woeful education track record has local and national implications

Jill Underly's tenure offers a cautionary tale for proponents of block grants and legislated literacy reforms.

Mar 31 • 

Karen Vaites

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Few states track and publish curriculum used in each district, and this needs to change ASAP

Memo to state leaders: you need to provide a window into curriculum selections, to empower researchers educators, and parents alike.

Mar 12 • 

Karen Vaites

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February 2025

Ohio offers an object lesson on issues in the curriculum space

With renewed attention to Ohio’s curriculum list, I’m republishing an important column with national implications.

Feb 21 • 

Karen Vaites

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Did seventeen states just move to gut children’s disability protections by accident?

Understanding the new lawsuit from 17 state Attorneys General, amidst a sea of confusion.

Feb 19 • 

Karen Vaites

11

The Southern Surge: Understanding the Bright Spots in the Literacy Landscape

Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Alabama offer a playbook for improving reading outcomes.

Feb 15 • 

Karen Vaites

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The states lowering academic thresholds

Introducing the state tracker we deserve.

Feb 10 • 

Karen Vaites

18

7

Understanding the Concerns About Teachers College Reading Workshop

Republishing a widely-read piece, with reflections on how far the conversation has come since it dropped in 2020.

Feb 1 • 

Karen Vaites

4

EdReports is pivoting. Here's what you need to know.

Under fire for its flaws, EdReports announced changes in March, 2024. Has anything changed since?

Feb 1 • 

Karen Vaites

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2

January 2025

Leveled Reading Groups Don't Work. Why Aren't We Talking About It?

Republishing my most-read piece, with a few 2025 updates.

Jan 31 • 

Karen Vaites

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