Time for a new non-district charter authorizer in D.C.
D.C.’s charter school sector stands as a shining example of what urban chartering can accomplish for kids in need.
The demise of college is greatly exaggerated
Robert PondiscioThis post has been updated with the full text of "The demise of college is greatly exaggerated."
The new school board
Andy delivered a shortened version of the following comments at a PPI launch event for Hill & Jochim’s new book, A Democratic Constitution for Public Education.
Accountability in Private School Choice Programs
Jeff MurrayA good primer on programs in twenty-four locales. Jeff Murray
What Works in Gifted Education: Documenting the Effects of an Integrated Curricular/Instructional Model for Gifted Students
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Another good idea limited by flawed assessments. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
CREDO Urban Charter School Study Report on 41 Regions
Robert PondiscioCharter schools are making a difference. Robert Pondiscio
Opting out, race, and reform
Robert PondiscioArne Duncan was half right about those “white suburban moms.” Robert Pondiscio
Not meeting standards: A warning light, not a death sentence
Michael J. PetrilliMisunderstanding Common Core’s aspirational nature. Michael J. Petrilli
Has Brookings lost its mind?
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Unless Grover (Russ) Whitehurst was truly weary of leading the Brookings Institution’s widely respected Brown Center on Education Policy, only demented think-tank hierarchs would have let him exit that role.
New systems of schools and common enrollment
I didn’t see common enrollment systems coming.
Getting observations wrong: the Phil Jackson Fallacy
David GriffithWas Phil Jackson really a great coach? Despite his reputation as the Zen master of hoops, I’ve never been convinced. After all, Kobe, Shaq, and His Airness would have made any coach look like a genius, and there’s never been a natural experiment quantifying Jackson’s impact.
Impacts of the Teach for America Investing in Innovation Scale-Up
Aaron ChurchillOutcomes of students with TFA-trained vs. traditionally-trained teachers
Don't know much about history
Robert PondiscioEditor's note: This post has been updated with the full text of "Don't know much about history."
Comparable but Unequal: School Funding Disparities
Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.Looking at school costs through a cracked lens. Amber Northern
Inspiring Teaching: Preparing Teachers to Succeed in Mission-Driven Schools
A smart alternative to one-size-fits-all teacher prep. Dominique Coote
Impacts of the Teach For America Investing in Innovation Scale-Up
Robert PondiscioNew study meets old opinions about TFA. Robert Pondiscio
Ten arguments against Common Core presidential hopefuls should avoid
Tim ShanahanAn open letter to the candidates. Tim Shanahan
Bless the tests: Three reasons for standardized testing
Aaron ChurchillIt takes more than a "gut feeling" to know how a school is doing
The limits of equity
Editor’s note: This is the eighth in a series of personal reflections on the current state of education reform and contemporary conservatism by Andy Smarick, a Bernard Lee Schwartz senior policy fellow with the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
Eva et al. flunk the fairness test
Michael J. PetrilliNot meeting high standards ? “failing.” Michael J. Petrilli
Developing School Leaders: What the U.S. Can Learn from England's Model
Mark TonerThe myriad challenges facing school principals in the United States have been well documented, including limited opportunities for distributed leadership, inadequate training, and a lackluster pipeline for new leaders. Recently, the Fordham Institute teamed up with the London-based Education Foundation to seek a better understanding of England’s recent efforts to revamp school leadership.
Shifting from learning to read to reading to learn
Robert PondiscioThis post has been updated with the full text of "Shifting from learning to read to reading to learn."
Dear Fordham Friends: A Letter from the 2014 Annual Report
Michael J. PetrilliThis letter appeared in the 2014 Thomas B. Fordham Institute Annual Report. To learn more, download the report.Fordham friends,
EdReports.org
Victoria McDougaldA great resource fact-checks textbooks’ “Common Core-aligned” claims. Victoria Sears
The 2014 Education Choice and Competition Index
Aaron ChurchillRating school choice in the country’s biggest districts. Aaron Churchill
GreatKids Milestones
Robert PondiscioA new video series shows what it looks like when your kid meets Common Core benchmarks. Robert Pondiscio