Youth Voting: State and city approaches to early civic engagement
Robert PondiscioBy Robert Pondiscio
The five themes of ESSA coverage
I re-read about fifty major articles, blog posts, and other missives about ESSA over the break, since this written record will serve as the foundation for years of commentary and analysis. Below are the five major themes that jumped out (along with gobs of the supporting links).1. The diminished role of Uncle Sam in schools
Accountability under ESSA: Announcing a design competition
Michael J. PetrilliAs everyone knows, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)—the long-overdue reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—was approved by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate and signed into law by the president in December.
It’s time to stop talking about Ohio’s federal charter school grant
Jamie Davies O'LearyMoney to expand high-performing charters should not be jeopardized by bad actors
My favorite writing of 2015
As 2015 was coming to a close, I compiled a list of my fifty favorite reads of the year. You can find them all here.
Carly Fiorina quotes about education
Brandon L. WrightEditor's note: This post was first published on Flypaper on May 5, 2015.
My ten best articles of the year
Michael J. PetrilliSpending time with nieces and nephews this holiday season—teenagers who are making decisions about where to go to college, what to study, and which vocations to pursue—has reminded me of just how lucky I am to have one of the best jobs in the world.
Fordham’s most read posts of 2015
Ellen AlpaughThis year has been one of the most consequential for education reform in quite some time.
On the road to better accessibility, autonomy, and accountability in charter schools
Jamie Davies O'LearyFourteen states have seen positive policy changes since NACSA’s inaugural report last year. By Jamie Davies O’Leary
Catholic School Renaissance: A Wise Giver's Guide to Strengthening a National Asset
Kate StringerIn time for Christmas, a how-to book for philanthropists who want to bring new life to Catholic schools. By Kate Stringer
Advanced civics for U.S. history teachers
Robert PondiscioThe importance of making history an academic priority once again. By Robert Pondisico
Education posts I wish I'd written this year
Robert PondiscioThe best compliment I can pay a fellow education blogger is to confess professional jealousy. By Robert Pondiscio
You’re invited! Fordham report release: Lessons from Ohio’s best charter schools
Ohio Education GadflyCelebrate National School Choice Week in Columbus on January 27
The best educational apps for teaching history, science, and other content to young children
Michael J. PetrilliThe Apple App Store and Google Play are chocked-full of educational apps for your kids, some excellent and some schlock. Separating the wheat from the chaff is no small task; thankfully Graphite (a spin-off from Common Sense Media) does an excellent job highlighting and reviewing the better ones.
Improving opportunities for African American students
Robert PondiscioClear-eyed about the challenges. Constructive and hopeful about workable solutions. Robert Pondiscio
NCTQ's annual State Teacher Policy Yearbook
Robert PondiscioIn most states, a surprising amount of progress in a short amount of time. Robert Pondiscio
A grand Washington accomplishment
The Education GadflyESSA’s presidential signature, the opt-out movement’s rural footprint, the economic benefit of NAEP proficiency, and TFA’s second-generation teachers.
Poverty cannot explain America's mediocre test scores
Michael J. Petrilli, Brandon L. WrightThat excuse turns out to be a crutch that’s unsupported by the evidence. Michael J. Petrilli and Brandon L. Wright
How to solve Scalia's race problem
Brandon L. Wright, Chester E. Finn, Jr.There is a fast track in American education. And we’re getting far too few African American students onto it. By Brandon L. Wright and Chester E. Finn, Jr.
Governor Cuomo's task force looks to bury higher standards
Robert PondiscioSome say the world will end in fire. Some say in ice. But if you’re pressed for time and want to end all intelligent life quickly, nothing beats a task force.
On the Road to Better Accessibility, Autonomy, and Accountability: State Policy Analysis 2015
Jamie Davies O'LearyRankings against policy recommendations
All children deserve safe schools
Kevin MahnkenHere at Fordham, you can usually find us gleefully dinging New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on his education policies. When he was first pushing his universal pre-K initiative a few years back, we argued that he should have tailored the program more narrowly to the kids who needed it most.
What I saw at Success Academies
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of visiting Success Academy Harlem 1 and hearing from Eva Moskowitz and the SA staff about their model. I’m not going to venture into the thorny stuff about SA here. What I will say is that their results on state tests are clearly impressive, and I doubt that they’re fully (or even largely) explained by the practices that cause controversy.
"Astoundingly" few preschoolers actually face suspension
Kevin MahnkenIt’s difficult to get your arms around the idea of suspending a three- or four-year-old from preschool. For most of us (if we’re even able to remember back that far), pre-K discipline basically meant quiet time in the corner, miserably sulking while our friends laughed and colored.
A solution in search of a problem: On the recent efforts to change Ohio’s school accountability framework
Aaron ChurchillValue-added does not need replacing