The Long-Term Consequences Of Teacher Discretion In Grading Of High-Stakes Tests, by Rebecca Diamond and Petra Persson
This is a fascinating study and a good reminder that grades are more signals within the education system and less objective measures of skill or knowledge. The authors identified incidents where Swedish teachers had manipulation grades nationwide standardized tests and then tracked students outcomes. Turns out, the students that benefited from grade inflation on a single high-stakes test were more likely to graduate, had lower rates of teen pregnancy and had higher incomes when they moved on to the job market.
39 Studies About Human Perception In 30 Minutes, by Kennedy Elliot
Immensely useful summary of the last ~40 years of research on visual perception and data visualization.
Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, by (surprise) Ulysses S. Grant
This has been on the shelf for a while, but I finally got around to reading it in earnest. In addition to being an underrated President, Grant was a great writer:
The Southern rebellion was largely the outgrowth of the Mexican war. Nations, like individuals, are punished for their transgressions. We got our punishment in the most sanguinary and expensive war of modern times.
Also interesting maps:
