The Latest

This page details our most recent work in a simple format. If you appreciate the work we produce, consider bookmarking this page in your browser.


If interested in some additional resources and ways to track our work:

More of our videos | Our YouTube Channel | Our Podcasts | iTunes | Donate | Join our e-mail list | Debate the issues | Facebook | Twitter | Google+

  • YOUR LAST STANDARDIZED TEST EVER: Sick of testing? Here’s the last one you’ll ever have to take. Read more.
    (May 23, 2013)
  • JOHN ON ‘AT THE CHALK FACE’ RADIO SHOW: John discusses Michelle Rhee and the lack of investigation of test cheating in Washington, DC. Listen to the radio broadcast here.
    (May 23, 2013)
  • MICHELLE RHEE AND THE WASHINGTON POST: John compares the editorial coverage of the local newspapers in Atlanta and Washington, DC in regards to cheating scandals. Read more.
    (May 15, 2013)
  • SUBTRACTING TO ADD: Is 12th grade necessary? John Merrow has a proposal. Read more.
    (May 8, 2013)
  • PROBLEM SOLVERS: Middle school students in Portland, ME are tasked with an important project - watch the PBS NewsHour report here.
    (May 6, 2013)
  • ARNE DUNCAN’S MOMENT OF TRUTH: As two powerful forces collide at this moment in educational history, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has an opportunity to make a mid-course correction that could save public education. Read more.
    (May 1, 2013)
  • PENETRATING THE SMOKESCREEN: Keeping up with the Michelle Rhee scandal - Read more.
    (April 25, 2013)
  • ADVICE FOR ROOKIES New teachers have a lot to learn - and they won’t learn it from other rookies. Read more.
    (April 23, 2013)
  • WHO CREATED “MICHELLE RHEE?” John has 4 potential answers. Read here.
    (April 18, 2013)
  • MICHELLE RHEE’S REIGN OF ERROR: John obtained the ‘missing memo’ - is this proof that Rhee’s office did not thoroughly investigate cheating in DCPS public schools?  Read here.
    (April 11, 2013)
  • ON PBS NEWSHOUR: High school graduation rates are up - but are they real? Watch here.
    (April 11, 2013)
  • JOHN ON TAKING NOTE - EATING OUR YOUNG: The cheating scandal in Atlanta and the ADHD epidemic - all rooted in test score mania? John connects the dots - read more.
    (April 4, 2013)
  • DEEPER LEARNING IN DANVILLE, KY: In our latest NewsHour piece, one Kentucky school district uses project-based learning to turn things around. Watch here.
    (April 3, 2013)
  • JOHN ON HARVARD EDCAST: John discusses education journalism in Harvard Graduate School of Education’s podcast series. Listen here.
    (April 3, 2013)
  • JOHN ON TAKING NOTE: Life is unfair. Read more.
    (March 21, 2013)
  • WHY I TEACH: Ruth Ferree on the brain chemistry that makes teaching pleasurable. Read here.
    (March 14, 2013)
  • JOHN ON TAKING NOTE: It’s the best of times and the worst of times in education. Read more.
    (March 14, 2013)
  • VIDEO VAULT: John Merrow’s Dartmouth College reunion - from 1988. Watch here.
  • WHY I TEACH: Why learn Spanish? Marisa LaValette on the importance of global citizenship - read more here.
    (March 7, 2013)
  • JOHN ON BLOOMBERG EDU: John, along with Sarah Carr and Andre Perry, discuss the transformation of New Orleans public schools after Hurricane Katrina. Download and listen here.
    (March 1, 2013)
  • TAKING NOTE: Please don’t call me Coach. Read more!
    (February 28, 2013)
  • WHY I TEACH: Neal McDonald expects a lot out of his students. Read more!
    (February 28, 2013)
  • WHY I TEACH: Katherine K. Merseth discusses why YOU should teach. Read more here.
    (February 21, 2013)
  • POWER AND GENEROSITY: John shares an inspiring note that showcases the importance of educators and the power of television. Read more here.
    (February 21, 2013)
  • JCC CONVERSATION: Are our boys in crisis? John Merrow, Richard Whitmire, and Dr. Perri Klass discussed this topic at the JCC in Manhattan. Learn more.
    (February 20, 2013)
  • ADD DEJA VU: Almost 2 decades after first reporting on the topic, the epidemic of over-medicating our children continues. John discusses on Taking Note here.
    (February 15, 2013)
  • DIGITAL LEARNING DAY LIVE CHAT: John and other education experts discuss technology in the classroom. Read it here!
    (February 6, 2013)
  • MY BUS RIDE AND THE CHILDREN OF SANDY HOOK: A group of 2nd graders on John’s morning commute inspired this blog entry. Read here!
    (February 6, 2013)
  • EDUCATORS AND GUNS: John writes about the reaction of educators to the Sandy Hook shooting, and how they’re not doing enough. Join the discussion!
    (January 31, 2013)
  • DEEPER LEARNING ON PBS: We profile three classrooms that practice hands-on teaching - watch and learn more here!
    (January 30, 2013)
  • THE PREP SCHOOL NEGRO: An audio interview with filmmaker Andre Robert Lee about his experience at an exclusive prep school. Listen and join the discussion!
    (January 22, 2013)
  • REACHING “THE INADVERTENT” AUDIENCE: John discusses the importance of getting more people interested in education. Join the discussion!
    (January 22, 2013)
  • THE MISSING MEMO: John brings up new questions about Rhee and cheating in DCPS schools. Join the discussion!
    (January 16, 2013)
  • MEET ADELL COTHRONE: John writes about the DC principal that spoke out. Join the discussion!
    (January 9, 2013)
  • LIVE CHAT ABOUT FRONTLINE: Read transcript here!
    (January 9, 2013)
  • ‘THE EDUCATION OF MICHELLE RHEE’ ON FRONTLINE: A close look at Michelle Rhee’s Chancellorship in DC - more info here!
    (January 8, 2013)
  • READING GUARANTEE PBS PIECE: Examining a controversial law in Ohio about childhood literacy. Join the discussion! (January 4, 2013)
  • ROCKETSHIP SCHOOLS PBS PIECE: Watch this and let us know what you think: is the model profiled here replicable? Join the discussion! (December 28, 2012)
  • ANDREA FINKLE JOINS #WHYITEACH: A woman, called to a profession. Join the discussion! (December 13, 2012)
  • JOHN ON CHARACTERS IN STORIES: Falling in love with stories about students. Join the discussion! (December 6, 2012)
  • REBIRTH: NEW ORLEANS ON KICKSTARTER: John Merrow calls this “the most important story” he’s covered in 35 years. See what he’s talking about — and help us finish it. Join the discussion! (December 3, 2012)
  • MARGARET ELIZABETH THORNTON JOINS #WHYITEACH: Her first day as a teacher? There was an earthquake. An omen? No. Join the discussion! (November 29, 2012)
  • JOHN ON HONORING THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT: Need an idea for holiday giving? Join the discussion! (November 28, 2012)
  • CAMP VACAMAS PROFILE: This look at the summer enrichment process at one New Jersey camp was produced by our 2012 summer intern, Lauren White. Join the discussion! (November 21, 2012)
  • VERONICA DENEUMOSTIER JOINS #WHYITEACH: We’ve posted a bit erratically, but we’re back now, baby! Here’s an entry from a kindergarten teacher in the Dallas area. Join the discussion! (November 20, 2012)
  • JOHN ON WHY SCHOOLS MATTER: Sometimes, we need a crisis to remind us of what’s really important. Join the discussion! (November 16, 2012)
  • PBS PIECE ON HURRICANE SANDY: Students and teachers in Belmar, NJ respond to amazing adversity. Join the discussion! (November 12, 2012)
  • JOHN TALKS TO MERRYL TISCH: John sits down at The JCC in Manhattan with the Chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents. Join the discussion! (November 11, 2012)
  • NEW PBS PIECE ON REACH OUT AND READ: Pediatricians are emerging as teachers. What’s the future of the idea? Join the discussion! (November 8, 2012)
  • PEPPER GIVENS JOINS #WHYITEACH: A story about the passions of teachers, via south Texas. Join the discussion! (October 29, 2012)
  • JOHN ON NEXT STEPS: If you could change one small thing in public education right now, what would it be and why? Join the discussion! (October 26, 2012)
  • PODCAST WITH LISA GUERNSEY: The New America Foundation Early Childhood director talks about the issues surrounding Pre-K and Kindergarten education in America today. Join the discussion! (October 19, 2012)
  • JOHN ON OBAMA VS. ROMNEY: Read his thoughts on the candidates and federal vs. state roles in education. Join the discussion! (October 19, 2012)
  • JOHN ON BLENDED LEARNING, COMMON CORE: How successful might they be? John unpacks it. Join the discussion! (October 11, 2012)
  • JACOB WATERS JOINS #WHYITEACH: A TFA alum on his passions for teaching — and the connection between poverty and education. Join the discussion! (October 4, 2012)
  • JOHN BENNETT JOINS #WHYITEACH: What can Will Rogers teach us about education? Join the discussion! (September 27, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON EDUCATION NATION: What did the veteran education journalist think of NBC News’ third year of Education Nation? Here we go. Join the discussion! (September 27, 2012)
  • VASHELLE NINO JOINS #WHYITEACH: An Army brat becomes a teacher. How did the journey unfold? Check this post out. Join the discussion! (September 21, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW’S FIVE TRUTHS: Some of his remarks upon winning the McGraw Prize are featured in this latest post. Join the discussion! (September 20, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON BLENDED LEARNING: The model obviously has pros and cons. So, where does it go from here? Join the discussion! (September 17, 2012)
  • JILL ROONEY JOINS #WHYITEACH: Great stuff about teaching — and the importance of tucking in your pants. Join the discussion! (September 13, 2012)
  • PBS PIECE ON WINEMAKING IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES: We’re not a foodie blog or anything, but in this John Tulenko story, you’ll see the importance of wine to regional higher education. Join the discussion! | Josh Wyner Podcast (September 10, 2012)
  • JOHN ON POVERTY AND GREED: The factors are essentially social sciences twins. How can we fix it? Join the discussion! (September 7, 2012)
  • LINDSAY MORELLI JOINS #WHYITEACH: “Geeking out” over prep? Yep, she’s a true teacher now. Join the discussion! (September 6, 2012)
  • CARESHIA MOORE JOINS #WHYITEACH: She was a teacher. Now she’s a lawyer — but she still runs a mentoring program for 8th grade girls and a blog about empowering students. Find out why Careshia is passionate about education. Join the discussion! (September 3, 2012)
  • WATCH OUR VIDEO ON GREEN INITIATIVES IN SCHOOLS: Ever heard of City Green? If not, well — what they’re doing could usher in a new generation of public school student awareness about being green. Check this out. Watch and join the discussion! (August 25, 2012)
  • STEVE HABERLIN JOINS #WHYITEACH: He teaches gifted students — and break dancing. Check out his story. Join the discussion! (August 23, 2012)
  • A PODCAST ON SUMMER LEARNING: In the summer months, the gap between middle-class students and low-income students can widen — middle-class students, for example, might have more access to travel, museums, etc. than other students might. So, what do we do? This podcast addresses that topic. Join the discussion! (August 20, 2012)
  • WALLY LANTINGUA JOINS #WHYITEACH: A Brooklyn (NY) based photographer also is a high school teacher. Check out how she invests and involves her students. Join the discussion! (August 16, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW CHANNELS GANDHI: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Join the discussion! (August 14, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON JUSTIN MORRILL: 150 years later … what have we learned? Join the discussion! (August 2, 2012)
  • KRISTIN APPIAH-WORD JOINS #WHYITEACH: A blog post from a 17-year veteran of Chicago public schools. Join the discussion! (August 2, 2012)
  • KERRI GRECO JOINS #WHYITEACH: The Rhode Island music teacher explains her craft. Join the discussion! (July 26, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN’T: Forty years … and four ideas. Join the discussion! (July 20, 2012)
  • MEHREEN TEJANI JOINS #WHYITEACH: An immigrant from Pakistan — now living, working and teaching in Texas — shares her story. Join the discussion! (July 19, 2012)
  • ARE COMMUNITY COLLEGES EFFECTIVE? What do you think? Join our discussion on the topic with several experts. Join the discussion! (July 17, 2012)
  • KRISSY VENOSDALE JOINS #WHYITEACH: On inspiration and the power of second-grade teachers. Join the discussion! (July 12, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ASKS: WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? A Merrow post on the future of education and opportunity. Join the discussion! (July 9, 2012)
  • JOE HESSERT IN #WHYITEACH: An inspiring story about soccer, culture, childhood, and teaching. Check it out. Join the discussion! (July 5, 2012)
  • PBS NEWSHOUR PIECE ON EARLY COLLEGE HS PROGRAMS: Could this be the future of low-income education? Join the discussion! (July 4, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON FLIPPING ROLES: What happens when the interviewer transitions to interviewee? Join the discussion! (June 28, 2012)
  • HEATHER ROE IN #WHYITEACH: It’s poetic! The Write Reason Tutoring head arrives in our blog. Join the discussion! (June 28, 2012)
  • PBS NEWSHOUR PIECE ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE REMEDIATION: Is it valuable, or just a tax drain? John Tulenko investigates. Join the discussion! (June 21, 2012)
  • CITIZEN SCHOOLS JOINS #WHYITEACH: George Ganzenmuller on why he chose teaching over the ad world. Join the discussion! (June 21, 2012)
  • A CONVERSATION WITH ELIZABETH EVANS: The head of VIVA Teachers discusses the world of education with us. Join the discussion! (June 20, 2012)
  • HOLLY ASHLEY JOINS #WHYITEACH: A teacher from MA discusses her experiences with one student, Paul. Join the discussion! (June 14, 2012)
  • A DISTRICT THAT’S WORKING: John Merrow on lessons from south Texas and Daniel P. King. Join the discussion! (June 13, 2012)
  • STEVE PEHA JOINS #WHYITEACH: The Pacific Northwest-based education consultant blogs about why he works with teachers and values education. Join the discussion! (June 7, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON MITT ROMNEY: A new entry in JM’s blog about what Mitt Romney should have said during the Wilfredo Laboy scandal. Join the discussion! (May 31, 2012)
  • DR. JOHN THOMPSON IN #WHYITEACH: The 18-year veteran of OKC schools explains his craft. Join the discussion! (May 31, 2012)
  • NEW PODCAST WITH KELLY HUNTER OF CLI: The Executive Director of the Children’s Literacy Initiative joins the LM podcast to discuss developing readers, fostering leadership, and much more. Listen and join the discussion! (May 31, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW’S ‘BIPOLAR LIFE:’ A new entry in Taking Note focuses on what we know — and should know — about the world of teachers. Join the discussion! (May 24, 2012)
  • JAMES NORWOOD JOINS WHY I TEACH: Norwood is a middle school teacher at Badger Springs MS in California. He blogs for us — and he also joined us for a podcast. Join the discussion! (May 24, 2012)
  • MARIBETH WHITEHOUSE JOINS WHY I TEACH: Maribeth Whitehouse made headlines a few months ago when she was rated as one of NYC’s best teachers — then wrote articles decrying the models used to make those ratings. Now, she blogs for #WhyITeach. Join the discussion! (May 17, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON NEW IDEAS: A new blog post on what’s piquing John’s interest in the field of education. Join the discussion! (May 16, 2012)
  • PBS NEWSHOUR PIECE ON COMMON CORE/READING: John Merrow and Cat McGrath report on what our students are reading — and what they will be reading as a result of the Common Core. Watch and join the discussion! (May 14, 2012)
  • BASAL READING PODCAST: How big a business is basal reading? And are the right people profiting? Peter Dewitz discusses the topic with Cat McGrath.Listen and join the discussion! (May 14, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW ON ‘MYTHS OF EDUCATION:’ This is from a talk John gave at the CREO Seminar Series at Notre Dame University in late April. Watch and join the discussion! (Recorded April 30, 2012/Posted May 9, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW AND JOEL KLEIN: The two education luminaries talk about all manner of topics at The JCC in Manhattan — 72 minutes of pure education discussion. Watch and join the discussion! (Recorded May 2, 2012/Posted May 9, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW SPEAKS AT NOTRE DAME: John gave a speech at Notre Dame in late April about educational myths. Check it out when you get a chance. Watch and join the discussion! (Posted May 8, 2012)
  • TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: This week, we’ve got a new post every day in the #WhyITeach blog. Check ‘em out. Join the discussion! (May 7-12, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John Merrow uses a tragic event at KIPP Believe in New Orleans to speculate on a host of other issues, including the failure of higher education leadership. Join the discussion! (May 4, 2012)
  • WHY I TEACH FROM SARAH WYSOCKI: Wysocki was fired from her DCPS job under Michelle Rhee’s IMPACT system. Now she works in Fairfax Schools. Check out her story. Join the discussion! (May 3, 2012)
  • PBS NEWSHOUR PIECE ON DROPOUT PREVENTION: This is our piece about dropout prevention strategies in Shelbyville, Indiana. Watch and join the discussion! (April 25, 2012)
  • WHY I TEACH: Megan Allen, the 2010 Florida Teacher of the Year, comes to the blog. Join the discussion! (April 25, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE ON TESTING: Is April truly the cruelest month because of testing? John discusses — using classic poetry as an example. Join the discussion! (April 24, 2012)
  • DROPOUT PREVENTION DISCUSSION: How can we best prevent dropouts in American education? We convened a few experts to discuss. Join the discussion! (April 21, 2012)
  • GOOGLE HANGOUTS ON MUSIC EDUCATION: We hosted two Google Hangouts off our piece from February about El Sistema-inspired programs in the United States. Check ‘em out. Join the discussion! (April 20, 2012)
  • WHY I TEACH WITH KENNETH BERNSTEIN: Teacher Ken on why he’s walking away. Join the discussion! (April 19, 2012)
  • DROPOUT PREVENTION PODCAST: Melissa Lakes of Shelbyville, Indiana’s Student Achievement Center explains her role in helping students catch up and keep up. Join the discussion! (April 18, 2012)
  • WHY I TEACH: Jessica Hahn, a charter teacher in Brooklyn (NY), talks about the importance of trying something else. Join the discussion! (April 12, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John wants to know — who will build and design the robots of the future? Join the discussion! (April 11, 2012)
  • WHY I TEACH: Nancy Gardner, a HS English teacher in North Carolina, presents her story. Join the discussion! (April 5, 2012)
  • JOHN MERROW AND WENDY KOPP: They appeared together in discussion at the JCC in Manhattan back in June of 2011; the video is now on YouTube. Watch and join the discussion! (Posted April 5, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John discusses testing, cheating, and new ways to think about it all. Join the discussion! (April 4, 2012)
  • JOHN ON THE BOB EDWARDS SHOW: John and the long-time radio host have a far-reaching discussion about all things education. Listen and join the discussion! (Recorded March 5, 2012/Posted April 2, 2012)
  • WHY I TEACH: Our new blog project launches! We let educators share their stories — and we begin with Esther Wojcicki of Palo Alto High School. Join the discussion! (March 29, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John talks about testing, test prep, and Common Core. Join the discussion! (March 21, 2012)
  • PBS NEWSHOUR PIECE ON MUSIC EDUCATION: This aired on PBS on February 24, 2012; the focus is the Harmony Program in NYC, which is inspired by the ‘El Sistema’ program in Venezuela. Join the discussion! (February 24, 2012)
  • PBS NEWSHOUR PIECE ON CYBER SCHOOLS: This aired on PBS on February 23, 2012; the focus is the two sides of the online school movement (and following the money therein). Join the discussion! (February 23, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John wants to talk about rising tides, and A Nation At Risk. Join the discussion! (February 23, 2012)
  • PODCAST WITH BOB MCGRATH OF SESAME STREET: Learning Matters producer Cat McGrath interviews her father, Sesame Street veteran Bob McGrath, about music education. Listen and join the discussion! (February 22, 2012)
  • A YOUTUBE EXCLUSIVE ON CYBER CHARTERS, PART 2: What’s it like to be a teacher at a ‘cyber school?’ John Tulenko investigates, in this companion piece to his upcoming NewsHour report on the PA Cyber Charter school. Watch and join the discussion! (February 20, 2012)
  • A YOUTUBE EXCLUSIVE ON CYBER CHARTERS: What’s it like to be a student at a ‘cyber school?’ John Tulenko investigates, in this companion piece to his upcoming NewsHour report on the PA Cyber Charter school. Watch and join the discussion! (February 16, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John sketches an unlikely connection between prisons and the ed world. Join the discussion! (February 15, 2012)
  • PLACIDO DOMINGO PODCAST: The maestro sits down with the Learning Matters podcast to discuss music education. Listen and join the discussion! (February 13, 2012)
  • DISCUSSION ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING: Is K-12 online schooling beneficial to students? We convened several experts to discuss, in advance of an upcoming PBS NewsHour piece. Join the conversation here! (February 9, 2012)
  • WE’RE ON GOOGLE+: We just launched this page and are still messing around with it, but … feel free to link up with us in Circles. Join the conversation here! (January 31, 2012)
  • NEW PODCAST: Professor Dave Makings on education technology, teaching new teachers how to be effective within their classrooms, reform initiatives in Idaho, and much more. Listen and join the discussion! (January 26, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John has a ‘modest proposal’ to save test prep. Join the discussion! (January 25, 2012)
  • JOHN AND RANDI WEINGARTEN DISCUSSION: Over an hour (1:14 to be exact) at the JCC in Manhattan in December 2011 — and now online. It’s part of the “Learning Matters” conversation series at the JCC in Manhattan; the initial focus of the discussion is the future of teachers’ unions, but then it branches into broader topics. Listen and comment! (December 14, 2011 / Posted January 19, 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: John wants to talk about “value-added” measures in education. Join the discussion! (January 19, 2012)
  • DISCUSSION ABOUT SCHOOL CHOICE: We convened several experts to discuss school choice options, and whether they’re a positive or negative for American education. Join the discussion! (January 19, 2012)
  • THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHERS BOOK PARTY: We’ve got some video up from a party for John’s book back in February 2011 — featuring Joel Klein, among others. Watch and comment! (Taped in February 2011/Posted in January 2012)
  • TAKING NOTE: Merrow wonders about the four ‘basic’ skills of education. Read and comment! (January 11, 2012)
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST