Yes, achievement tests matter. No, they don't capture everything
In a series of blog posts (I, II, III,
Democratic candidates side-step the Seventy Four's education debate
Kate StringerThe Seventy Four had a simple goal: to make the 2016 presidential election season one in which candidates could pause in their frenzy of backstabbing and baby kissing to talk about education.
Using inter-district charter schools as a tool for regional school integration
Clara AllenHow charters’ unique characteristics can reverse re-segregation. Clara Allen
Market-oriented grantmakers and community-led solutions for greater equity
Robert PondiscioA critique of the Walton Family Foundation's education grants says more about its critics. Robert Pondiscio
Dangerous Minds, sure. CSPAN, no way
The Education GadflyJohn King’s meeting with ex-cons, the NEA makes and endorsement, and John Boehner returns to his roots.
Charter school reform in Ohio: House Bill 2 at a glance
Chad L. Aldis, Aaron ChurchillOn October 7, 2015, the Ohio legislature overwhelmingly passed House Bill 2 (HB 2). The bill significantly strengthens the accountability structures that govern Ohio’s charter sector without compromising the school level autonomy that is critical to the charter school model.
Expecting more of our gatekeepers of charter school quality
Jamie Davies O'LearySponsors can and must avoid opening charter schools destined to fail
What Pope Francis will see when he visits my Catholic school
Kathleen Porter-MageeIn the age of charter schools, Common Core, test-based teacher evaluations, and other hot-button education reform issues, Catholic schools have largely taken a backseat in our public conversations. When we do read about them in the media, it is often bad news: financial struggles, declining enrollment, closures.
School transfers in a stratified system
Jeff MurrayInformation, options, and access needed for school choice accountability. Jeff Murray
The effects of KIPP on achievement and other outcomes
Robert PondiscioKIPP doubled in size and maintained its quality. Can this continue? Robert Pondiscio
Score one for low-income kids
The Education GadflyMore on the fate of U.S. Catholic schools. The boom in college affordability indices. And hopeful signs that the DOE is getting reasonable on teacher evaluations.
The Constitution Day edition
D.C.’s gender gap at top schools, mission statements, neighborhood school attendance boundaries, and test-based retention.
Examining district-charter collaboration grant implementation with interviews and site visits
David GriffithThe goals of specific collaboration activities are too often fuzzy. David Griffith
Charter schools' effect on property values
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Do zone-based priority admissions to charter schools affect home purchases? Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
The missing young men in most of Washington's top high schools
Michael J. PetrilliOne of the biggest debates raging in education policy today is whether schools of choice are serving their fair share of the hardest-to-educate students or abandoning them to traditional public schools.
The Deflategate edition
The Washington State Supreme Court's attack on charters, New York State’s Common Core review, mindfulness in education, and charter schools' impact on Georgia property values.
The prison-to-school pipeline
The Education GadflyAn awkward name for a great idea; Dan Willingham on teacher training; and an education idea so good it needs to bust out of jail.
How "no-excuses" charter schools affect academic achievement
Kevin MahnkenHigh-performing charters earn the approval of policy commentators and researchers alike. Kevin Mahnken
Exploring the supply side of charter school openings
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Surprisingly, parent dissatisfaction with neighborhood schools doesn’t contribute to charter school location. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
A court decision only the Kremlin could love
Robin J. LakeThe Washington State Supreme Court clung to antiquated ideas at the expense of our most vulnerable kids. Robin J. Lake
The Kanye edition
Education in New Orleans, school governance, Common Core-aligned assignments, and charter school openings in NYC.
New Orleans: A success story? Yes. A national model? Maybe not.
Robert PondiscioThe charter sector’s reach should not exceed its grasp. Robert Pondiscio
On charter backfill debate, I'm with #TeamPaul
Chester E. Finn, Jr.In the CRPE debate between Paul Hill and Robin Lake on the issue of charter back-fill, Paul's right. Robin, as always, makes excellent points and raises legitimate concerns.
Tales from the rubber room
The Education GadflyNew Orleans’s schools ten years after Katrina, a new low for NYC’s infamous rubber rooms, and an education hunger strike.
Education on the campaign trail
Robert PondiscioSix themes for 2016, and the candidates most likely to embrace them. Robert Pondiscio
Assessing my NOLA advice eight years later
Eight years ago, I offered my first public commentary about New Orleans’s post-Katrina reform strategy. In the spirit of personal accountability, I’m putting those words to the test, and I’ve asked six very smart, tough graders to check my work.
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