How Ohio should distribute its school improvement funds
Jessica PoinerWhen state report cards are released this fall, it will be the first time that overall letter grades are assigned to districts and schools.
How Ohio can pave the way for a stronger, broader charter movement
Aaron ChurchillComparing Ohio K–12 education to other states helps us gauge the pace of progress, provides ideas on improvement, and gets us out of our local “bubble.” In a recent post, my colleague Chad Aldis examined Ohio and Florida’s NAEP results, finding the Buckeye State wanting in terms of gains over
A tale of two charter school sectors: Ohio versus Idaho
NOTE: The Thomas B. Fordham Institute occasionally publishes guest commentaries on its blogs. The views expressed by guest authors do not necessarily reflect those of Fordham.
National Charter Schools Week: DECA High proves the possible
Marwa BerriNOTE: In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Fordham Ohio staffers will be blogging about teachers, principals, and guidance counselors who made a positive difference in their schooling and in their lives. This is the fourth and final post, which does double duty of celebrating National Charter Schools Week as well.
Racial disparities in special education identification: The conventional wisdom is all wrong
On this week's podcast, Paul Morgan, Professor of Education and Demography at Penn State University, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss the evidence on racial disparities in special education identification and services. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the effect of online versus paper tests on student achievement.
It’s time for common sense on accountability for online schools
Chad L. AldisFor charter school supporters, it can be frustrating. There’s always something new in the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) saga.
Most parents still live in Lake Wobegon
On this week's podcast, Bibb Hubbard, founder and president of Learning Heroes, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss better ways to communicate students’ academic progress (or lack thereof) to parents. On the Research Minute, David Griffith examines the recent AEI study that questioned the relationship between test scores and long-term outcomes.
Ohio to Florida: Better schools for thee but not for me?
Chad L. AldisIf you were on vacation earlier this month—lucky you—you may have missed the release of the 2017 NAEP results. On the whole, you didn’t miss much.
Charter School Deserts: High-Poverty Neighborhoods with Limited Educational Options
Andrew Saultz, Queenstar Mensa-Bonsu, Christopher Yaluma, James Hodges2016–17 was one of the slowest-growth years for charter schools in recent memory. Nobody knows exactly why, but one hypothesis is saturation: With charters having achieved market share of over 20 percent in more than three dozen cities, perhaps school supply is starting to meet parental demand, making new charters less necessary and harder to launch.
O-H-I-No?
On this week's podcast, Paolo DeMaria, Ohio's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, joins Mike Petrilli and Brandon Wright to discuss the state’s new strategic plan for education, which Fordham’s gadflies find disappointing. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the access, perseverance, and outcomes of first-generation college students.
The tragic lack of progress for Ohio’s low-income and black students
Aaron ChurchillAchievement gaps between poor and minority students and their peers are well documented and persistent. For years, data indicate that these students have generally been making slow but steady progress.
When it comes to graduation requirements, mastery matters
Jessica PoinerA recent paper from the left-leaning Center for American Progress (CAP) examined high school graduation requirements across the nation to determine whether they were aligned with requirements for each state’s public university system.
Is America still a nation at risk?
On this week's podcast, Bruno Manno, Senior Advisor to the Walton Family Foundation’s K–12 Education Reform Initiative and a Trustee Emeritus at Fordham, joins Mike Petrilli and Checker Finn to discuss this week’s NAEP results in the context of the thirty-fifth anniversary of A Nation at Risk. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how accountability metrics related to student subgroups affect teacher turnover and attrition.
Five takeaways from Ohio’s 2017 NAEP results
Aaron ChurchillYesterday, the U.S. Department of Education released data from the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
Are High School Diplomas Really a Ticket to College and Work?
Jessica PoinerAn increasing number of headline-grabbing graduation scandals have renewed the public’s interest in how students earn a high school diploma.
America’s “lost decade” of academic achievement
On this week’s podcast, Hanna Skandera, former New Mexico education chief, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss next week’s NAEP score release and why we’ve seen so little progress in recent years. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how NCTQ’s ratings affect teacher education programs.
Charter schools 101: Why would we need charters in suburban, rural, or “good” districts?
By Susan Pendergrass
Behind the curtain of Ohio school choice
Jessica PoinerIn case you missed the headlines, D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson recently resigned.
Howard Fuller on school segregation
On this week's podcast, Howard Fuller, renowned civil rights activist and education reformer, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss school segregation. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines ways to help bachelor’s degrees better facilitate professional success.
Ohio could take a cue from Indiana on diplomas
Jessica PoinerOhio’s State Board of Education recently voted in favor of recommending that the legislature extend softer graduation requirements to the classes of 2019 and 2020.
Five ideas for resolving Ohio’s debate over graduation requirements
Chad L. AldisMalcolm X once said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” Wise words. Education has long been the source of opportunity, a passport if you will, for Americans to pursue a better life. But education isn’t a passive activity; it’s earned through hard work, preparation, attainment.
Special School Choice Week edition
On this week's podcast, Mike Magee, CEO of Chiefs for Change, and Nina Rees, CEO and president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, join Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss where the choice movement stands on the occasion of National School Choice Week. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines a study on school discipline reform in Philadelphia, complete with a jaw-dropping teacher survey.
Beware of faulty claims about Ohio’s Quality Counts ranking
Jamie Davies O'LearyEducation Week just released its 22nd annual report and rankings of state education systems.
Seven takeaways from ECOT’s potential closure
Jamie Davies O'LearyAfter losing its sponsorship, ECOT, the largest e-school in Ohio, appears to be on the brink of closure.
When a district steps up, the state should step out of the way
Jeff MurrayAs reported by the Dispatch last week, Columbus City Schools has unveiled plans to expand selective admission among its magnet schools next year. This is a positive step in an often criticized district—an effort that should be applauded and helped to grow.
State ESSA plans embrace CTE, but there's still much work to be done
By Kate Kreamer and Ryan Reyna
State policymaking in the ESSA era
On this week's podcast, special guest Chris Minnich, who is stepping down after five years at the helm of the Council of Chief State School Officers, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss the future of state education policymaking in the ESSA era. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern highlights the best research studies of 2017.