Cribsheet

Synopsis

'Emily Oster is the non-judgemental girlfriend holding our hand and guiding us through pregnancy and motherhood. She has done the work to get us the hard facts in a soft, understandable way' Amy Schumer Parenting is full of decisions, nearly all of which can be agonized over. There is an abundance of often-conflicting advice hurled at you from doctors, family, friends, and strangers on the internet. But the benefits of these choices can be overstated, and the trade-offs can be profound. How do you make your own best decision? Armed with the data, Oster finds that the conventional wisdom doesn't always hold up. She debunks myths and offers non-judgemental ways to consider our options in light of the facts. Cribsheet is a thinking parent's guide that empowers us to make better, less fraught decisions - and stay sane in the years before preschool. *Now you can navigate the primary school years with Emily Oster too, in her new book The Family Firm, out now*

Summary

Chapter 1: The Case Against Grades

* Summary: Argue that traditional grading systems are ineffective and harmful, leading to anxiety, cheating, and a focus on memorization over understanding.
* Example: A student who excelled in math but struggled with history received the same "B" grades in both subjects, despite their different levels of mastery.

Chapter 2: The Power of Feedback

* Summary: Emphasizes the importance of meaningful feedback that provides specific and actionable guidance to students.
* Example: A teacher provides written comments on a student's essay, highlighting strengths and offering suggestions for improvement in areas such as organization and sentence structure.

Chapter 3: The Problem with Expecting All Kids to Learn at the Same Pace

* Summary: Argues that traditional grading systems assume all students learn at the same pace, which is unrealistic and unfair.
* Example: A student who struggles with reading but excels in art may receive lower grades in English than a student who is proficient in both subjects.

Chapter 4: The Case for Narrative Assessments

* Summary: Advocates for the use of narrative assessments, such as portfolios and personal reflections, that provide a more holistic view of student progress.
* Example: A student's portfolio showcases their work over time, including drafts, revisions, and final products, demonstrating their growth and development.

Chapter 5: The Promise of Mastery Learning

* Summary: Introduces the concept of mastery learning, where students work at their own pace and receive additional support until they achieve mastery.
* Example: In a mastery-based math class, students complete "learning modules" that each focus on a specific concept. They can retake modules until they demonstrate proficiency.

Chapter 6: Rethinking Homework

* Summary: Discusses the benefits and limitations of homework and suggests alternative forms of practice that are more engaging and effective.
* Example: Instead of assigning repetitive textbook problems, a teacher may provide students with real-world scenarios and ask them to apply their learning.

Chapter 7: The Importance of Student Agency

* Summary: Stresses the importance of giving students a voice in their own education and allowing them to set goals and track their progress.
* Example: Students in a science class work in groups to design and conduct their own experiments, fostering their curiosity and ownership of their learning.

Chapter 8: The Future of Assessment

* Summary: Explores emerging assessment technologies and practices that are transforming the ways in which student learning is assessed.
* Example: Adaptive assessments that automatically adjust to student responses, providing personalized feedback and targeted support.