How to get more districts on a path to quality, aligned curriculums
By Laura Slover and Bonnie Hain
Student-based budgeting in the Buckeye State
Jessica PoinerWeighted student funding, also known as student-based budgeting (SBB), is a funding mechanism that aims to allocate school resources more equitably.
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.
Self-Discipline and Catholic Schools: Evidence from Two National Cohorts
Regardless of where you stand on the debate currently raging over school discipline, one thing seems certain: Self-discipline is far better than the externally imposed kind.
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.
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.
Are states' ESSA plans naughty or nice?
On this week’s podcast, special guest Chad Aldeman, a principal at Bellwether Education Partners, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to compare Fordham’s ESSA review to that of Bellwether and the Collaborative for Student Success. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines educators’ political persuasions and their potential effects on classrooms.
National experts agree that Ohio’s school accountability system is too complicated
Aaron ChurchillLast week, Bellwether Education Partners (in partnership with the Collaborative for Student Success) released its review of Ohio’s plan to comply with the federal law known as the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Do ESSA plans deserve our thanks?
On this week's podcast, special guest Marc Porter Magee—founder and CEO of 50CAN—joins Mike Petrilli and Brandon Wright to discuss states’ accountability plans under ESSA. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines an international meta-analysis of how technology is affecting academic outcomes.
High achievers will benefit from most state ESSA accountability plans
Brandon L. WrightBy Brandon L. Wright
Good news for students and federalism: Most states step up on accountability under ESSA
Brandon L. Wright, Michael J. PetrilliBy Brandon L. Wright and Michael J. Petrilli
Rating the Ratings: An Analysis of the 51 ESSA Accountability Plans
Brandon L. Wright, Michael J. PetrilliThe Every Student Succeeds Act grants states more authority over their accountability systems than did No Child Left Behind, but have they seized the opportunity to develop school ratings that are clearer and fairer than those in the past?
A little known ESSA provision sheds some more light on Ohio’s graduation “fix”
Jessica PoinerA recent article in Education Week highlighted how an under-the-radar ESSA provision could spell trouble for states with multiple high school diplomas.
The state of state ed policy
On this week's podcast, special guest Yamuna Menon, vice president of advocacy and policy at 50CAN, joins Alyssa Schwenk and Brandon Wright to discuss the ins and outs of state education policy and how national organizations can more constructively influence it. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how being among the older children in a grade affects cognitive development.
The first 17 ESSA accountability plans correct many NCLB-era errors
Brandon L. Wright, Michael J. PetrilliBy Brandon L. Wright and Michael J. Petrilli
Rating the Ratings: Analyzing the First 17 ESSA Accountability Plans
Brandon L. Wright, Michael J. PetrilliThe Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) grants states more authority over their school accountability systems than did No Child Left Behind (NCLB)—meaning that states now have a greater opportunity to design improved school ratings. Rating the Ratings: Analyzing the First 17 ESSA Accountability Plans examines whether states are making the most of the moment.
ESSA, innovation, and optimism
On this week's podcast, special guest Lizzette Gonzalez Reynolds, vice president of policy at the Foundation for Excellence in Education, joins Alyssa Schwenk and Brandon Wright to discuss whether state ESSA plans have been innovative, and whether they’re cause for optimism. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the effect of mandatory college entrance exams on college enrollment.
How states can avoid proficiency rates when measuring academic achievement under ESSA
Brandon L. WrightBy Brandon L. Wright
State ESSA plans: Just BS, or reform's BFF?
On this week's podcast, special guest Chad Aldeman, a principal at Bellwether Education Partners, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss his organization’s recent review of state ESSA plans. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the progress of the high school sophomore class of 2002.
Three ways to improve Ohio’s ESSA plan
Aaron ChurchillIn early June, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) released an updated draft of its ESSA plan for public comment. The department had initially intended to submit its plan earlier this spring, but after heavy pressure, state officials decided to delay submission until September.
Ohio shouldn’t worry about Delaware’s ESSA plan woes—yet
Jessica PoinerEarly last week, the Trump administration gave three states feedback on their submitted plans for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
State ESSA plans: More than just pretty words?
On this week's podcast, special guest Chris Minnich, Executive Director of the Council of Chief State School Officers, joins Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss the seventeen ESSA plans that have been submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, and what the other thirty-four states can learn from them. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines Kentucky’s promising approach to school improvement.
How should Ohio seek to improve its lowest achieving public schools?
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.
Early ESSA plans don't do enough to signal that all students are important
Brandon L. WrightBy Brandon L. Wright