Trump, Choice, and Discipline
On this week’s podcast, Robert Pondiscio, Brandon Wright, and David Griffith discuss Donald Trump’s school choice proposal and the national debate over school discipline. During the research minute, Amber Northern examines the effect of the charter school authorization process on school quality.
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 big summer stories edition
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli, Alyssa Schwenk, and Brandon Wright discuss this summer’s ten biggest education stories. During the research minute, Amber Northern examines the effects of paying teachers for performance.
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.
The high achievers edition
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli, Alyssa Schwenk, and Robert Pondiscio discuss states’ neglect of high achievers and how ESSA might prompt them to do better. During the research minute, Amber Northern reports on the good news about narrowing socioeconomic gaps in kindergarten readiness.
Addressing the learning needs of students performing above grade level
Yasmine RanaBy Yasmine Rana
The child poverty rate plummeted after welfare reform. Here’s what that means for education.
Michael J. PetrilliBy Michael J. Petrilli
High Stakes for High Achievers: State Accountability in the Age of ESSA (Part I)
Michael J. Petrilli, David Griffith, Brandon L. Wright, Audrey KimNo Child Left Behind meant well, but it had a pernicious flaw: It created strong incentives for schools to focus all their energy on helping low-performing students get over a modest “proficiency” bar. Meanwhile, it ignored the educational needs of high achievers, who were likely to pass state reading and math tests regardless of what happened in the classroom.
Private School Choice: How Do Programs Nationwide Stack up?
Educational choice is a strategy to provide children with opportunities to receive the education that works best for them. In recent years, private-school-choice programs have blossomed, doubling (since 2010) both the number of such initiatives and the number of children benefiting from them.
Mayor Ginther, school choice advocate?
Elaine LauxColumbus Mayor Andrew Ginther is passionately outspoken about Columbus City Schools. He is an alumnus of the district, and his first experience as an elected official came as a member of its board of education. He has regularly praised Columbus City Schools and publicly bemoaned those who have spoken negatively about them.
How states can promote district-charter school collaboration
Andrew ScanlanBy Andrew Scanlan
The challenges of building a diverse teaching workforce
Dara Zeehandelaar Shaw, Ph.D.By Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D.