Do high school courses prepare kids for college?
Jessica PoinerAs students and teachers settle back into school routines, thousands of high schoolers are getting their first taste of classes that are supposed to prepare them for college. Some of them are sitting in Advanced Placement courses, while others have enrolled in district-designed advanced courses.
How to solve the school closure conundrum
Jessica PoinerPoliticians are wise to pay attention to public opinion data, but they are also responsible for crafting sound policies based on research and evidence.
Ohio’s college remediation rate is dropping: Why?
Sarah SoudersCollege may not be for all, but it is the chosen path of nearly fifty thousand Ohio high school grads.
Sorry, Governor
Chester E. Finn, Jr.I respect Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, am glad to be a long-time citizen of his state, agree with most of his policies and priorities, and appreciate his appointing me to the State Board of Education.
Ohio’s ‘honesty gap’ is narrowing—and that’s a good thing
Aaron ChurchillOhio’s report card release showed a slight narrowing of the “honesty gap”—the difference between the state’s own proficiency rate and proficiency rates as defined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).
How educational software affected student achievement in Washington, D.C.
Andrew ScanlanBy Andrew Scanlan
Finding the right tool for the job: Improving reading and writing in the classroom
Victoria McDougaldBy Victoria Sears
Fordham Institute media statement on release of $71 million federal charter school grant to Ohio
Ohio Education GadflyToday, the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) announced that it would release the $71 million Charter School Program (CSP) grant awarded to Ohio last September, but with additional restrictions attached. The letter outlines "high-risk" special conditions for how Ohio's award can be spent.
What Trump’s visit to a Cleveland charter school really means
Aaron ChurchillGOP presidential candidate Donald Trump recently visited Cleveland Arts and Social Sciences Academy, a charter school educating predominately minority and low-income children. I write not to comment on Mr.
What charter school authorizers can teach states on ESSA: It's hard to find indicators of school quality that aren’t test scores
Kathryn MullenBy Kathryn Mullen Upton
The 2016 PDK poll of the public's attitudes toward public schools
Robert PondiscioBy Robert Pondiscio
The narrowing socioeconomic gaps in kindergarten readiness
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.By Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
We must diversify charter school options
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Bruno V. Manno, Brandon L. WrightBy Chester E. Finn Jr., Bruno V. Manno, and Brandon L. Wright
Can evidence improve America's schools?
Michael J. PetrilliBy Michael J. Petrilli
Ohio’s charter sector: Pains of the past are dampening innovation
Jamie Davies O'LearyThere are emerging signs, as I’ve written, that Ohio’s charter law overhaul (HB 2) is working.
Ohio's accountability system is the best in the country for high achievers. Here are 3 ways to keep that focus
Aaron ChurchillLast week, several of my Fordham colleagues published a fantastic fifty-state review of accountability systems and how they impact high achievers. Lamentably, they found that most states do almost nothing to hold schools accountable for the progress of their most able pupils.
Cultivating America's future leaders
Robert PondiscioDuring the No Child Left Behind era of education reform, now winding down, teachers, schools and districts were tacitly encouraged to focus their efforts on raising the floor rather than raising the roof on student achievement. Whether by accident, choice or neglect, high-achievers as well as those merely "above proficient" received little attention. And why should they?
On the 'Fly: Ten stories you might've missed this summer
Kevin MahnkenMuch like the typical American fourth grader, education news tends go on a ten-week vacation each June after a year of intermittently joyous, raucous, and bizarre happenings.
Education reform should welcome new voices
Audrey KimTwo years ago, I matriculated from one of the most liberal, activist college campuses in the country. In the months leading up to graduation, I fantasized about jumping head-first into a vocation fighting for social justice. I knew that I had a passion for policy and a healthy interest in education issues (my mom is a school teacher).
How education reform lost its mojo
Robert PondiscioIt's been a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad summer for education reform. After many years of bipartisan support, key elements of the reform agenda—higher standards, better teachers, test-based accountability, parental choice—are starved for oxygen in both the Republican and Democratic party platforms.