The virtual charter school edition
On this week’s podcast, Alyssa Schwenk and Dara Zeehandelaar discuss Fordham’s new study of Ohio’s virtual charter schools. During the research minute, Amber Northern examines the effects of school closures in New York City.
Three recommendations to improve online charter schools
Dara Zeehandelaar Shaw, Ph.D., Michael J. PetrilliBy Dara Zeehandelaar and Michael J. Petrilli
Faith, hope, hard work, and results
Kathleen Porter-MageeBy Kathleen Porter-Magee This week, results from the 2016 New York State ELA and math test prove just how promising new approaches to urban Catholic education can be.
Is the new federal testing pilot worth the work?
Jessica PoinerMany education stakeholders see the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) as an opportunity to fix the most problematic provisions in NCLB. For many critics, the biggest bogeyman was too much standardized testing and its associated accountability measures.
Enrollment and Achievement in Ohio's Virtual Charter Schools
June Ahn, Ph.D.This Fordham study, conducted by learning technology researcher June Ahn from NYU, dives into one of the most promising—and contentious—issues in education today: virtual schools. What type of students choose them? Which online courses do students take? Do virtual schools lead to improved outcomes for kids?
Two changes to the Department of Education's ESSA implementation rule
Michael J. PetrilliEditor's note: This post reproduces a letter sent to Secretary of Education John King on July 29. Dear Mr. Secretary:
Testing flexibility under ESSA: A primer on the pros and cons
Jessica PoinerThe new education law of the land—the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)—has been the talk of the town since President Obama signed it into law in December 2015.
How far do D.C. students have to travel to get to a high-quality K–12 school?
Daniel CohenBy Daniel Cohen
What we can learn from charter school lotteries
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.By Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
The full Flypaper forum on charter school discipline
Michael J. PetrilliAt the National Charter Schools Conference last month, Secretary of Education John King challenged U.S.
The sky won't fall if charter schools are discouraged from disciplining students
Editor's note: This is the seventh entry in our forum on charter school discipline practices.
Sinister Common Core conspiracy unmasked as pathetically earnest effort to help kids
Kevin MahnkenThe mental image most people have of career and technical education is taken directly from a mid-century General Motors training video: Enthusiastic young men in denim replacing serpentine belts and laboring over alternators. Failing that, the scenario might take place in a wood shop or a welding station.
How Ohio is meeting key milestones on the road to charter reform
Jamie Davies O'LearyBy Jamie Davies O’Leary
For starters, get the basics on charter discipline right
Editor's note: This is the fifth entry in our forum on charter school discipline practices.
Dropout-recovery report cards: Are standards set appropriately?
Sarah Souders, Aaron ChurchillIn a previous blog post, we urged Ohio’s newly formed Dropout Prevention and Recovery Study Committee to carefully review the state’s alternative accountability system for dropout-recovery charter schools.
How chartering makes possible an entirely new approach to accountability
The purpose of my last post was to suggest that those frustrated with school “accountability” should consider the structural elements that gave rise to our present accountability systems.
On charter discipline, deny the premise and pivot to school climate
Editor's note: This is the fourth entry in our forum on charter school discipline practices.
Charter boards need to understand school discipline
Editor's note: This is the third entry in our forum on charter school discipline practices. Earlier posts can be found here and here.
The HB 2 effect: Ohio is meeting key milestones on the road to charter reform
Jamie Davies O'LearyEighteen months ago, Ohio proved it was finally serious about cleaning up its charter sector, with Governor Kasich and the Ohio General Assembly placing sponsors (a.k.a. authorizers) at the center of a massive charter law overhaul.
Gadfly Bites 7/8/16 - Lots of folks evaluate our evaluation of the EdChoice Scholarship Program
Jeff MurrayIn case you missed it, Fordham Ohio released a new report yesterday—Evaluation of Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship Program—a first-of-its kind rigorous examination of the state’s largest voucher program. Say what you will about the frankly disappointing findings but never say that Fordham is afraid to go where the data lead.
Academic distress commissions: A leg up for Ohio in implementing ESSA?
Jessica PoinerNo Child Left Behind (NCLB) required states to identify and intervene in persistently low-performing schools.
Suspending belief
Editor's note: This is the second entry in our forum on charter school discipline practices. The first post post is here.
The accountability legacy of a hundred-year-old decision
Over the last few months, my work on ESSA implementation and my thinking about new systems of urban schools have come together. I have a new hypothesis. And I think it has some interesting implications.
Proposed ESSA regulations shortchange early learning and violate the law's intention
By Elliot Regenstein
Evaluation of Ohio’s EdChoice Scholarship Program: Foreword
Aaron Churchill , Chad L. AldisShortly after Ohio lawmakers enacted a new voucher program in 2005, the state budget office wrote in its fiscal analysis, “The Educational Choice Scholarships are not only intended to offer another route for student success, but also to impel the administration and teaching staff of a failing school building to improve upon their students’ academic performance.” As economist M
Reforming disciplinary practices in D.C. and New Orleans charter schools
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.By Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
How states can use ESSA to deliver a more well-rounded education
Robert PondiscioBy Robert Pondiscio