My column today at NJ Spotlight examines the conflict between those who fear that escalating use of data in evaluating student growth and teacher performance will undermine teaching and learning, and those who stand by a new generation of Common Core goals and ramp-ed up standardized tests. Can we find some common ground?

There’s nothing new under the sun, says Ecclesiastes, but New Jersey teachers, administrators, parents, students, and school board members may be forgiven for feeling otherwise as schools open this year. Beneath the familiar gush of warm, welcoming hugs is an undercurrent of anxiety. Like much of the country, New Jersey is magnifying its use of cold, hard data in order to focus on student growth and teacher proficiency.

Starting right now, our 590 school districts will implement the Common Core State Standards, an initiative that requires realignment of course content to fit more ambitious learning goals.

Read the rest here.