The short Conn
The Education GadflyDetroit's teachers' union rejects militancy, and New York releases genuine opt-out data The Education Gadfly
Rethinking teacher preparation
Kate StringerNewsflash: Hiring a teacher isn’t the same as purchasing a widget. Kate Stringer
Early impacts of the Leading Educators Fellowship
Kevin MahnkenMentorships can fortify school cultures and establish pipelines for leadership. Kevin Mahnken
Weak markets, strong teachers
David GriffithDo hard times attract better teachers into the classroom? David Griffith
New Orleans is not an anomaly
NOLA is one chapter in a much bigger story about the remaking of American urban public schooling. Andy Smarick
Beyond Common Core: New poll offers heartening results for reformers
Chester E. Finn, Jr.But the American public is stunningly ignorant of the basic facts of K–12 education. Chester E. Finn, Jr.
Presidential contenders: Steal this education speech!
Michael J. PetrilliSix big education themes for the 2016 campaign. Michael J. Petrilli
Six education themes for 2016
Michael J. PetrilliOn Wednesday, Campbell Brown and the American Federation for Children will host an education policy summit in New Hampshire with
The state of standards and assessments, in two maps
As we move into the 2015–16 school year, the standards and assessments landscape is continuing to shift. State legislative and executive actions over the past year have resulted in changes to how, when, and—in some cases—if districts and schools will implement Common Core standards and aligned assessments.
The condition of college and career readiness for students from low-income families
Jessica PoinerAspirations are high; preparation is low. Jessica Poiner
Measuring diversity in charter school offerings
Robert PondiscioDiversity is important, but school quality ought to come first. Robert Pondiscio
The new ESEA will be “loose-loose” because Arne Duncan went overboard with “tight-tight”
Michael J. PetrilliIf it becomes law, the federal government will have much less power than it does today. Michael J. Petrilli
Sensible responses to insolvent school districts
Marguerite Roza, Ph.D., Amber M. Northern, Ph.D., Michael J. PetrilliHow school districts go underwater financially, and how to get them out. Marguerite Roza, Amber M. Northern, Ph.D., and Michael J. Petrilli
Pedal to the metal: An overview of the Cincinnati school accelerator
Jessica PoinerIncreasing quality seats for Queen City students
An appreciation of Building Excellent Schools
Ohio Education GadflyTeaching success, one school leader at a time
Who Should Be in Charge When School Districts Go into the Red?
Dara Zeehandelaar Shaw, Ph.D., Victoria McDougald, Alyssa SchwenkSchool districts across the land are contending with rising education costs and constrained revenues. Yet state policies for assisting school districts in financial trouble are uneven and complex. Interventions are often haphazard, occur arbitrarily, and routinely place politics over sound economics.
Using schools and clinics as hubs to create healthy communities
Clara AllenThe example of a D.C. partnership that shows promise but needs more data. Clara Allen
Confronting the Hard Truth About Our Quest for Teacher Development
Alyssa SchwenkMore money on professional development does not equal better teaching. Alyssa Schwenk
How Cuts to State Pension Plans Fall on New Workers
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Not much good news to share here; nor is there ever on this topic! Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
Punch-drunk gov
The Education GadflyChris Christie leads with his chin; an outbreak of candor in Gotham; and why debt-free college is a sense-free idea. The Education Gadfly
The myth of the overstressed American teen
Robert PondiscioPrivileged outliers get media attention, while far greater numbers of kids live inactive and unchallenged lives. Robert Pondiscio
A pause in the history wars
Chester E. Finn, Jr.The College Board listened—and set AP U.S. History right. Chester E. Finn, Jr.
The push for charter quality involves both the statehouse and the courthouse
Kathryn MullenSponsors must be able to close underperforming schools
Nuance is complicated, but sometimes it matters
I’ve always appreciated Andy Smarick’s efforts to create a new vision for urban school districts, but his recent piece about the importance of data in education strikes an especially resonant chord. Understanding the context where we preach our policy “scripture” is pivotal if our ultimate goal is to improve children’s opportunities.
Ed reform irony from atop the tower
The Education GadflyThe Education Gadfly
Achieving Coherence in District Improvement
Damien SchusterCooperation and communication are more important than structure. Damien Schuster