Keep charter achievement in perspective
Observe what a low achievement bar these kinds of comparisons generally set
Observe what a low achievement bar these kinds of comparisons generally set
In favor of good old-fashioned school choice
Neerav Kingsland of New Schools for New Orleans outlines the basics of Relinquishment
Andy Smarick's picks of the week
Smith's new brief tells the story of the still-young Achievement School District in Tennessee
There's public, and then there's “public.”
Sage advice and news tidbits from Andy Smarick
Andy's picks, from Kansas City to CALDER
A new book from Sir Michael Barber, noted British education reformer, describes an effort to improve education in rural Pakistan
A collection of news and announcements
When charter schools first emerged more than two decades ago, they presented an innovation in public school governance. No longer would school districts enjoy the “exclusive franchise” to own and operate public schools, as chartering pioneer and advocate Ted Kolderie explained. Charters wouldn’t gain all of the independence of private schools—they would still report to a publicly accountable body, or authorizer—but they would be largely freed from the micromanagement of school boards, district bureaucracies, and union contracts. Autonomy, in exchange for accountability, would reign supreme.
Andy Smarick's pick of the news
Conducted jointly by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Public Impact, the new research study Searching for Excellence: A Five-City, Cross-State Comparison of Charter School Quality sheds light on charter performance — in Albany, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, and Indianapolis. These cities were highlighted because they have relatively large numbers of charter schools and charter school students. These are cities where charters have been part of the educational landscape for a decade or more. Read this exciting report today!
Keeping up with education headlines
In an era of budgetary belt tightening, state and local policy makers are finally awakening to the impact of teacher pension costs on their bottom lines. Recent reports demonstrate that such pension programs across the United States are burdened by almost $390 billion in unfunded liabilities. Yet, most states and municipalities have been taking the road of least resistance, tinkering around the edges rather than tackling systemic (but painful) pension reform. Is the solution to the pension crisis to offer teachers the option of a 401(k)-style plan (also known as a "defined contribution" or DC plan) instead of a traditional pension plan? Would this alternative appeal to teachers? When Teachers Choose Pension Plans: The Florida Story sets out to answer these questions.
Andy Smarick's pick of recent education news
The second of two posts on the past, present, and future of urban schooling
Earlier today on WAMU, Washington’s local NPR station, Kojo Nnamdi hosted a fascinating discussion on school boundaries, charter schools, and choice
The first of two posts on the past, present, and future of urban schooling
Many proponents of private school choice take for granted that schools won’t participate if government asks too much of them; but is this assumption justified?
It turns out that private schools are not vehemently opposed to academic accountability (including state testing and reporting requirements), according to a new Fordham report out today
Many proponents of private school choice take for granted that schools won’t participate if government asks too much of them, especially if it demands that they be publicly accountable for student achievement. Were such school refusals to be widespread, the programs themselves could not serve many kids. But is this assumption justified? A new Fordham Institute study—to be released on January 29—provides empirical answers. Do regulations and accountability requirements deter private schools from participating in choice programs? How important are such requirements compared to other factors, such as voucher amounts? Are certain types of regulations stronger deterrents than others? Do certain types schools shy away from regulation more than others?
Mike's new book, the Diverse Schools Dilemma: A Parent's Guide to Socioeconomically Mixed Public Schools, continues to garner attention
This week, Mike Petrilli was a guest on "What’s the Big Idea?," a podcast hosted by Josh Starr
Options for students, not parents
News pieces from over the weekend that piqued Andy Smarick's interest