Barbara Talkington is a research analyst at the Center on Reinventing Public Education. Prior to joining CRPE, Barbara worked as a management consultant and public policy researcher focused on human capital development, economic independence, justice, and equity. As a collector of skills, Barbara prides herself as one who can adapt to the needs of her clients and colleagues. These skills range from program development and evaluation, technical support, and policy analysis. Barbara holds a BA in Sociology from Western Washington University and a MPA from the University of Washington.
After an optimistic summer, Delta’s rise and an escalating public health situation has crushed many people’s hope for a quiet, even “normal” school year.
Weeks away from the end of the school year, it’s still unclear whether assessment data will play a role in shaping academic and social-emotional intervention strategies for 2021–22.
CRPE sought examples of districts providing outlets for students to provide feedback, and students taking advocacy into their own hands.
Seattle Public Schools made local headlines for its decision to award only As or incompletes as part of its revised grading policy during COVID-19 closures.