Pascal Forgione

Pascal Forgione, Jr., SUPERINTENDENT OF THE AUSTIN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. Based on three priorities—Better Student Achievement, Better Data, and Better Collaboration—Dr. Forgione has spearheaded district initiatives that have built an outstanding education team, developed and implemented an effective education plan, and produced marked improvement in operations and accomplishments.

From 1996 until 1999, Dr. Forgione was U.S. Commissioner of Education Statistics with the National Center for Education Statistics, and from 1991 to 1996, he served as Delaware State Superintendent for Public Instruction. In 1991, he headed the U.S. Department of Education’s National Education Goals Panel.

Additionally, Dr. Forgione has held positions with the Connecticut State Department of Education, the National Center for Research in Vocational Education at The Ohio State University, the Syracuse Research Corporation, Maryland State Department of Education, and Stanford University. Dr. Forgione has also served as a consultant to, or member of, numerous educational organizations and initiatives, including the Council of Chief State School Officers; National Center for Education and the Economy; National Council for Measurement in Education; the College Board; RAND Corporation; U.S. Department of Defense; Council for Basic Education; American Educational Research; the National Governors Association; the National Science Foundation; and the Board of Directors of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Dr. Forgione has a doctorate in administration and policy analysis from Stanford University, a master’s in urban history from Stanford, a master’s in educational administration from Loyola College, and a bachelor’s in theology and a bachelor’s in philosophy from St. Mary’s Seminary and University.

Why we disagree with P21

(and you should, too)

December 4 • EdWeek profile questions motives of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.

November 10 • You can now read Diane Ravitch’s op/ed on 21st century skills in the Boston Globe, Providence Journal, Metro West Daily News, Lowell Sun, and Quincy Patriot Ledger.

November 3 • Education Week highlights Common Core's concerns about the appointment of a P21 leader to a key Dept. of Education post.

November • Lynne Munson and Richard Kessler explain why arts education is vital in the November 2009 issue of Parenting magazine.

October 10 • Diane Ravitch's recent op/ed on 21st century skills has been reprinted in the Providence Journal.

September 16 • A group of prominent scholars, teachers, education reform advocates, and union leaders issued a statement today expressing concern about the program put forth by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) and calling for its revision. Press Advisory (pdf)

September 15 • Common Core’s Diane Ravitch shows how dated the idea of “21st century skills” really is in the Boston Globe

July 13 • Common Core’s Lynne Munson raises concerns about national standards at convention of the American Federation of Teachers. (PDF document)

July 9 • In USAToday Common Core’s Lynne Munson argues that a comprehensive education is more likely than a STEM education to produce new scientists.

July 2 • A USAToday editorial cites and links to Common Core’s “Still at Risk”" study which showed how little our 17-year-olds know about history and literature.

June 2 • Common Core releases Why We’re Behind: What Top Nations Teach Their Students But We Don’t, a report showing that the nations that consistently outrank us on international comparison tests provide their students with a fulsome education in the liberal arts and sciences. Why is this news? Because the U.S. is moving further and further away from this model. Read brief excerpts from the documents featured in the report here.