The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal
  • Donate
  • Publications
  • Projects
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact
  • Academics
  • Athletics
  • Costs
  • Governance
  • Innovation
  • Politicization

AP Economics is a Model of Academic Rigor

Sep 16, 2022 · Clark Ross · Comments Off on AP Economics is a Model of Academic Rigor

As a college professor and former academic dean, I have long heard that Advanced Placement courses are generally not the equal of their college equivalents. Each of the 38 AP … Continue reading “AP Economics is a Model of Academic Rigor”


“Contract-Grading” and the War Against Academic Excellence

Apr 20, 2022 · Adam Ellwanger · Comments Off on “Contract-Grading” and the War Against Academic Excellence

When I was in high school in the mid-1990s, we were all required to swim in gym class. This was before wokeness. Since then, concerns over “accessibility,” “inclusion,” “acceptance,” and … Continue reading ““Contract-Grading” and the War Against Academic Excellence”


Many NC Students Are Missing out on Core Knowledge

Dec 27, 2021 · Ashlynn Warta · Comments Off on Many NC Students Are Missing out on Core Knowledge

What will they learn? That is the question that the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) has been asking America’s colleges for thirteen years in a report by the … Continue reading “Many NC Students Are Missing out on Core Knowledge”


Don’t Cancel Rigor

Nov 3, 2021 · David Randall · Comments Off on Don’t Cancel Rigor

The Chronicle of Higher Education has just published the latest assault on academic standards, Jordynn Jack and Viji Sathy’s “It’s Time to Cancel the Word ‘Rigor’.” Jack teaches rhetoric and … Continue reading “Don’t Cancel Rigor”


Archivists Serve Historians? A Case of Academic Hubris

Sep 24, 2021 · Jacob Bruggeman · Comments Off on Archivists Serve Historians? A Case of Academic Hubris

In early August, archivists and other scholars erupted in protest when the American Historical Association (AHA) wrote a letter asking broad questions about how archives plan to reopen. The AHA … Continue reading “Archivists Serve Historians? A Case of Academic Hubris”


How Common Core Damages Students’ College Readiness

Mar 10, 2017 · Joy Pullmann · Comments Off on How Common Core Damages Students’ College Readiness

As Massachusetts was considering signing on to a national curriculum and testing plan called Common Core, one of its lead writers gave a presentation to its state board of education. … Continue reading “How Common Core Damages Students’ College Readiness”

More in Academics

  • Let Colleges Choose an Accreditor Feb 3, 2023

    Federal financial aid depends on whether your college is accredited. That means an independent agency vouches for your college, assuring that it’s not a scam and that it fulfills its … Continue reading “Let Colleges Choose an Accreditor”

  • A New Anti-DEI Petition for UNC Medical School Feb 2, 2023

    The Martin Center has often reported on the damage being done in colleges and universities under the guise of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Now, another organization, Color Us United … Continue reading “A New Anti-DEI Petition for UNC Medical School”

  • Social-Justice Restrictions on Research Harm All of Us Feb 1, 2023

    Recently, one of the departments on my campus invited an academic “expert,” who, among other specializations, “advise[s] on the ethical aspects of telescope siting,” to give a talk entitled “How … Continue reading “Social-Justice Restrictions on Research Harm All of Us”

More in Commentary

  • App State’s Magical Vanishing DEI Committee Feb 6, 2023

    Last May, Inside Higher Ed reported that Appalachian State University was building a summer ’22 “working group” to address how the institution solicits and evaluates “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) … Continue reading “App State’s Magical Vanishing DEI Committee”

  • Let Colleges Choose an Accreditor Feb 3, 2023

    Federal financial aid depends on whether your college is accredited. That means an independent agency vouches for your college, assuring that it’s not a scam and that it fulfills its … Continue reading “Let Colleges Choose an Accreditor”

  • Social-Justice Restrictions on Research Harm All of Us Feb 1, 2023

    Recently, one of the departments on my campus invited an academic “expert,” who, among other specializations, “advise[s] on the ethical aspects of telescope siting,” to give a talk entitled “How … Continue reading “Social-Justice Restrictions on Research Harm All of Us”

Popular Articles

  • App State’s Magical Vanishing DEI Committee Feb 6, 2023
    Last May, Inside Higher Ed reported that Appalachian St...
  • Jill Biden and the Doctoring of Doctoral Degrees for Nondoctors Feb 17, 2021
    “I’m hoping Dr. Jill becomes the surgeon general, his w...
  • Social-Justice Restrictions on Research Harm All of Us Feb 1, 2023
    Recently, one of the departments on my campus invited a...

Recent Articles

  • App State’s Magical Vanishing DEI Committee Feb 6, 2023

    Last May, Inside Higher Ed reported that Appalachian State University was building a summer ’22 “working group” to address how the institution solicits and evaluates “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) … Continue reading “App State’s Magical Vanishing DEI Committee”

  • Why do we need law schools? Feb 5, 2023

    To the editor: In the article ‘A Better Way to Teach Law’, Mr. Andersson makes a good case for the value of getting people into the workforce sooner, I also … Continue reading “Why do we need law schools?”

  • Lowery “outplayed” by UT-Austin administrators Feb 5, 2023

    To the editor: Lots of talk, then… Richard Lowery is an associate professor of finance at the University of Texas at Austin. He is an applied game theorist and studies … Continue reading “Lowery “outplayed” by UT-Austin administrators”

Want more?

Sign up to receive all of our articles and news in our weekly newsletters.
Subscribe

© 2023 The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal — Privacy Policy

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS