How a teaching exam affects educator effectiveness
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.By Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
The ESSA honeymoon is over
Kevin MahnkenWith our laser-like focus on American K–12 education (and the even narrower territory of American K–12 reform), it can be easy to forget that good schooling can be found in many forms—and many settings.
The Family Feud edition
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk discuss the debate sparked by Robert Pondiscio’s recent article, the Department of Education’s proposed ESSA regulations, and Kansas’s school funding debacle. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines whether a teacher observation framework can affect student outcomes.
Social justice, education reform, and how this whole Left-Right feud is missing the point
Derrell BradfordBy Derrell Bradford
Gary Johnson quotes about education
Brandon L. WrightGary Johnson, the former two-term governor of New Mexico, is the Libertarian Party’s presidential nominee.
The importance of parent intuition and observation in recognizing highly creative children
In my work with hundreds of families, I have observed one common truth: Parents are the experts on their own children, especially when it comes to giftedness. Parents often observe certain characteristics in their children and view them as positive traits—until those same characteristics are regarded negatively in school.
Powerlessness, anger, and schools
I believe people are generally at their angriest when they feel powerless.It’s one thing to be unhappy with the current state of your life—heck, we’ve all been there. But it’s entirely different when there’s nothing you can do about it. That causes fury.
The Left may have the louder voice in school reform, but conservatives shouldn't despair
By Terry Ryan
A time for discomfort
Kathleen Porter-MageeAs I reflected the post written by my friend and colleague Robert Pondiscio this week, and why it hit such
Texas state board dodges a bullet
Kevin MahnkenIn a thick of a presidential campaign, it’s easy to miss the forest for the trees. Education commentators are justifiably curious about the possible schools agenda of a President Trump, Sanders, or Clinton, sometimes to the exclusion of candidates in the down-ballot races.
Make Assessment Work for All Students: Multiple Measures Matter
Jessica PoinerWe look at the results of a recent survey around assessments
How to use ESSA to promote funding equity for schools of choice
Michael J. PetrilliEarlier this month, eleven scholars, analysts, and advocates participated in our annual Wonkathon. The challenge we put to them was to find provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act that could be used to expand parental choice.
Fordham Institute media response to Know Your Charter’s review of Ohio CSP grants
Chad L. AldisLike much of Know Your Charter’s (KYC) charter school coverage, today’s report, “Belly Up: A Review of Federal Charter School Program Grants,” intentionally inflates the failures of Ohio’s charter sector, makes misleading performance comparisons, and falls short
The proposed ESSA regulations: Return of the bureaucrats
Michael J. PetrilliAs everyone knows, the Department of Education released its latest package of proposed regulations today. Among other issues, this round addresses the heart of the Every Student Succeeds Act: its accountability provisions.
The Chewbacca Mom edition
On this week’s podcast, Robert Pondiscio and Alyssa Schwenk look at the radical Left’s attempted takeover of education reform, Common Core’s impact on the achievement gap, and the difficulty in measuring charter school quality. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines whether a teaching exam predicts educator effectiveness.
School failure in Milwaukee's school voucher program
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.By Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
The importance of robust state gifted policies
If you had a magic wand and could change one thing to ensure the availability of great gifted education services for students in your community, what would it be? A state mandate? More funding? A wide array of service requirements based on what we know about giftedness and best practices for promoting the development of high-ability learners?
Introduction to Fordham Ohio's latest report: Pathway to Success
Jamie Davies O'LearyFirst in a series of charter school student success stories from across Ohio
When DC Public Schools prepares in-district talent for principalship
As the instructional leaders within schools, principals hold the key to education reform. The principal serves as the mission driver and resource strategist for families, community partners, faculty, staff, and students.
Why it's hard to grasp charter school effectiveness
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Brandon L. WrightThis is the second in a series of essays marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of America’s first charter school law. These commentaries are informed and inspired by our forthcoming book (co-authored with Bruno V.
Ohio’s all-star schools serve students who are poor, wealthy, and somewhere in between
Jamie Davies O'LearyStudent growth is a vitally important measure for all schools
Why I would've voted no on the new NOLA plan
Louisiana has decided that all New Orleans charter schools now overseen by the state’s Recovery School District will be placed under the control of the local school board.
The Wonkathon edition
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli and Brandon Wright discuss the Department of Education’s guidance on transgender rights, Jay Mathews’s call for new ways to measure student success under ESSA, and their favorite Wonkathon submissions. During the Research Minute, Amber Northern explains the varying success of private schools in Milwaukee.