Mapping the Landscape of Charter Management Organizations
Christina HentgesJoanna Smith, Caitlin Farrell, Priscilla Wohlstetter, and Michelle NayfakCenter on Educational Governance, University of Southern CaliforniaApril 2009
Talking tough
Chester E. Finn, Jr.To the occasional consternation of colleagues and friends who are more interpersonally sensitive and politically correct, I've been known to define "consensus" as an agreement or state of affairs that leaves all parties equally unhappy.
Patrick's puzzling proposal
We were lukewarm on Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's "Readiness Project" last summer, but it seems that a year's time has made some of its elements slightly warmer.
Empty districts
School-less school districts? There are more than 285 of them across the land; but as of fall 2010, that number will decline by 26, thanks to New Jersey. Governor Jon Corzine has just signed legislation that would close down the twenty-six in an effort to "[reduce] the size of government," "[develop] greater efficiencies over time," and ease tax burdens.
Trivia travails
It's Trivia Night on a lazy summer evening and the MC bears an uncanny resemblance to Mr. Jones, he of 6th grade science and big baby blues. Wonder why? Because it is Mr. Jones, and he's gotten himself a second gig. Central Massachusetts is seeing an influx of teachers moonlighting for extra cash on their summer vacations--as trivia moderator at the local tavern.
When failing is passing
Around this time last year, schools in Texas were waiting with bated breath for their state report cards. This year, the pressure's a little less intense. That's because, under Texas's six-month-old revamped accountability system, some students who fail statewide tests will still be counted as passing--so long as they're on track to pass at some point before they graduate high school.
NEA's Chanin has choice words for conservatives
Stafford PalmieriIt's got to be a good story when the sub-head reads thusly: "Editor's Note: Some of the language in the following story may be offensive."
Checker Finn talks with John Merrow
Checker discusses national standards with John Merrow in this interview on the Taking Note blog. The conversation covers the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), No Child Left Behind and includes Checker's judgment on the direction of U.S.
Which experiences matter?
If you're interested in what Judge Sotomayor's likely elevation to the land's highest court could mean for school choice, take a look at my article in AEI's journal.
From over the weekend
MA moves to take control of failing schools NYT editorializes about failing schools (not sure what their point is though...)
The children left behind
Our report High-Achieving Students in the Era of No Child Left Behind continues to attract the press's attention.
Green Dot in DC
Green Dot may be coming to DC to take over a failing high school or two. The full article is worth reading, but, in my opinion, this blurb just about perfectly summarizes the optimism-sans-evidence of the turnaround crowd.
From the to-read pile
I just got finished reading Education Sector's very interesting report on teachers' opinion about their unions. I found it enlightening and distressing in turns.
Duncan and the NEA
Secretary Duncan delivered the last of his four policy speeches today at the annual conference of the National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union. Overall, it was a good talk.
EdNext debate focuses on school spending
Stafford PalmieriEducation Next has just released an interesting and tantalizing debate on school funds. In the wake of Flores, issues of funding equity have again risen to the fore.
Lines to watch for in Duncan's speech to the NEA tomorrow
Michael J. PetrilliArne Duncan and his fans have been hinting that he's going to be tough on the teachers union tomorrow at??its big annual confab. But will he speak these truths?
The Splendid Splinter of urban ed reform
Before excusing myself from this debate (which was great) and deferring to my forthcoming article, I'll respond point-by-point to the Hassel's last post.
Mike and Kojo
Tune in to WAMU 88.5 today at noon if you're able, because our own Mike Petrilli will be a guest on the Kojo Nnamdi Show.
The Hassels: Turnarounds follow a formula
We've arrived at the sixth (perhaps final?) part of the??school turnaround??debate between our Andy Smarick and??Public Impact's Bryan and Emily Hassel. Just checking in now?
What does the "firefighter case" mean for teacher testing?
Michael J. PetrilliA month ago, I wondered what Sonia Sotomayor might think about teacher tests, as the more rigorous ones typically have a "disparate impact" on minorities; African-American and Hispanic candidates fail them at much higher rates than whites do.
From "disadvantage" to "disqualify"
As this brief explained, it's unlikely we'll get much reform out of most of the stimulus legislation's education funds. But Secretary Duncan could squeeze some more reform out of the law if he's willing to be bold.
Article on the way
I got deeply involved in the closure/new start vs. turnaround debate because it has a major bearing on the basic argument of my book project. So I started thinking through and researching the various angles several months ago when this was still a relatively sleepy, back-burner issue.
School reform and the growing disconnect between DC and the states
Terry RyanThe Fordham Institute is unique in the school reform sector in that we have offices in both Washington, DC and Ohio