GAO and George Miller don’t understand how special education works
Michael J. PetrilliNo single public school is expected to serve students with every single type of disability. Except, apparently, public charter schools.
Commentary & Feedback on Draft I of the Next Generation Science Standards
Paul Gross, Lawrence S. Lerner, John Lynch, Martha Schwartz, Richard Schwartz, W. Stephen WilsonIn May, Achieve unveiled and solicited comments on the first draft of the Next Generation Science Standards, the product of months of work by a team of writers from twenty-six states. This document provides commentary, feedback, and constructive advice that Fordham hopes the NGSS authors will consider as they revise the standards before the release of a second draft later this year.
The 50 zip codes with the largest growth in white population share, 2000-2010
Michael J. PetrilliThe list, part II
"Gentrification" generates buzz
Tyson EberhardtA quick look at the reactions to Mike's analysis of the top 25 "fastest-gentrifying" neighborhoods in America.
The fastest-gentrifying neighborhoods in the United States
Michael J. PetrilliWhat communities have changed the most demographically from 2000 to 2010?
Eli Broad, conservative hero?
Michael J. PetrilliYou might not agree with Eli Broad’s views on education. But it would be foolish to take him as naïve. His unreasonableness has led to tremendous success for sixty years. And he’s not done with America’s schools yet.
Pricing the Common Core: How Much Will Smart Implementation Cost States and Districts?
The Common Core is coming, with forty-five states and the District of Columbia challenged to implement these new standards. Yet mystery surrounds how much this will cost states (and districts)—and whether the payoff will justify the price. On May 30, the Fordham Institute peeked behind that curtain with a lively panel discussion of "Pricing the Common Core." Taking part will be former Florida Education Commissioner Eric J. Smith, Achieve President Mike Cohen, former Department of Education official Ze'ev Wurman, and University of San Francisco professor Patrick J. Murphy, who will present the findings of a new Fordham study that he co-authored. It estimates the dollar cost of the implementation process for each participating state—and shows how the pricetag varies depending on the approach a state selects.
The Price of the Common Core
The Common Core State Standards will soon be driving instruction in forty-five states and the District of Columbia. While the standards are high quality, getting their implementation right is a real challenge—and it won't be free, a serious concern given the tight budgets of many districts and states. But while critics have warned of a hefty price tag, the reality is more complicated.
In defense of the F-word in K-16 education
J. Martin RochesterSuccess requires failure
How much will the Common Core cost?
The Education GadflyAccording to Fordham's latest report, it depends.
“Voucherizing Title I” is worth a shot
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Why not try strapping Title I dollars to the backs of needy kids and letting them take it to the schools of their choice?
Your guide to the Romney education plan
Tyson EberhardtMike analyzes Governor Romney's education proposal on WSJ.com.
Digital Learning: The Future of Schooling? Session 1
Join us for this important, nonpartisan event about digital learning and where it will take education in Ohio -- and the nation -- in the years to come. National and state-based education experts and policymakers will debate and discuss digital learning in the context of the Common Core academic standards initiatives, teacher evaluations and school accountability, governance challenges and opportunities, and school funding and spending.
Putting a Price Tag on the Common Core: How Much Will Smart Implementation Cost?
Patrick J. Murphy, Elliot RegensteinThe Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts and mathematics represent a sea change in standards-based reform and their implementation is the movement’s next—and greatest—challenge. Yet, while most states have now set forth implementation plans, these tomes seldom address the crucial matter of cost. This report estimates the implementation cost for each of the forty-five states (and the District of Columbia) that have adopted the Common Core State Standards and shows that costs naturally depend on how states approach implementation.
A race to fix education governance?
Chester E. Finn, Jr.School board members should be accountable for achievement, too
Tax-credit scholarships need a critical, not hostile, eye
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Program design matters
The Romney education plan: Replacing federal overreach on accountability with federal overreach on school choice
Michael J. PetrilliPortable funding is a worthy idea; just make it voluntary
The Gadfly Daily’s week in review
The Education GadflyA look back at wit and wisdom from the Fordham Institute’s blogs from the week of May 14, 2012.
The dilemma of academic diversity
Michael J. PetrilliOn integration and differentiation
The Gadfly Daily's week in review
The Education GadflyA look back at commentary from the Fordham Institute's blogs for the week of May 7, 2012
Common Core critics want ALEC to tell states what to do
Michael J. PetrilliThe problem with the idea that tomorrow’s ALEC vote is part of a “growing movement” against federal intrusion vis-à-vis the Common Core standards? ALEC is already on record against federal intrusion into education vis-à-vis the Common Core standards.
The Nation’s Report Card: Science 2011 (Grade 8)
Daniela FairchildIs the glass half-empty or half-full?
Fordham volunteers to pilot vetting process in Cleveland
The Education GadflyTerry Ryan's writes today that Fordham would be willing to lead the way in going through a vetting process led by the Transformation Alliance in Cleveland.
Political correctness triumphs again
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Naomi Schaefer Riley's termination is a sad sign that the Chronicle of Higher Education has replaced vibrancy with political correctness and intimidation.
A states’ rights insurrection led by…California?
Michael J. PetrilliThree cheers for California’s governor, state superintendent, and state board chair, for applying for a waiver from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (aka No Child Left Behind) that doesn’t kowtow to Washington.
The Gadfly Daily’s week in review
The Education GadflyA look at commentary from the Fordham Institute's blogs for the week of April 30, 2012.