Not without a fight
The Education GadflyBill de Blasio, the Democratic candidate for mayor of New York City, is no friend of charter schools.
The record on vouchers is not mixed
Adam EmersonIt’s no exaggeration to say that private school choice has been a success. Every serious study into the efficacy of vouchers and tax-credit scholarships has shown either positive or neutral benefits for students, and virtually no significant research has found any signs of academic harm to children.
Two speeches
Chester E. Finn, Jr.On September 30, U.S. education secretary Arne Duncan spoke at the National Press Club. The following day, Louisiana state superintendent John White spoke at AEI.
Re-Imagining Teaching: Five Structures to Transform the Profession
Teacher preparation, evaluation, and the characteristics of effective teaching are at the center of contemporary education research and policymaking.
Khan Academy's forays into competency-based learning continue to impress
Michael BrickmanLike many, I first became aware of Sal Khan and his Khan Academy when I watched his 2011 TED Talk and was blown away. I immediately jumped onto the site to begin trying practice problems and watching videos in mathematics, the financial crisis, and history.
Common Core has nationalized our curriculum & these local decisions prove it!
Kathleen Porter-MageeThe latest in a series of anti–Common Core scare tactics came from Michelle Malkin yesterday, when she implored,
Can Rating Pre-K Programs Predict Children’s Learning?
Jeff MurrayReview of recent study attempting to connect quality pre-K program ratings to quality outcomes for children.
Columbus school reform shouldn’t forget the whiz kids
Aaron ChurchillHigh-ability low-income students could get lost in the shuffle in Columbus
Change and opportunity for Ohio’s urban districts
Aaron ChurchillThe downsizing of urban districts presents an opportunity for change in Ohio's Big 8.
Implementing the Common Core: Notes from a rural Ohio school
Theda SampsonContinuing our From the Frontlines series on Common Core implementation in schools across Ohio.
CCSSO gives the feds a way out
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) recently issued a set of principles for the new Common Core–aligned tests. The document sent a pointed message to the Department of Education: “Dear Mr. Secretary: We got this.”
The record on vouchers is not mixed
Adam EmersonIt’s not a radical statement to say that private school choice has been a success. Every serious study into the efficacy of vouchers and tax-credit scholarships has shown either positive or neutral benefits for students. Virtually no significant research has found that they have academically harmed children.
Into the lion’s den: Defending the Common Core at Cato
Michelle LernerLast week, Chester Finn and Michael Petrilli—Fordham’s dynamic duo—joined a Cato Institute debate on Common Core, going up against Neal McCluskey of Cato and Emmett McGroaty of the American Principles Project.Here are the key arguments that Checker and Mike made in defense of the Common Core:
Event Recap: Re-imagining Teaching
Michelle LernerLast week, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute was lucky to co-host "Re-Imagining Teaching: Five Structures to Transform the Profession" with the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY).
Netflix Academy: The 10 best streaming videos on Native American cultures
Michael J. PetrilliNote: This post is part of our series, "Netflix Academy: The best educational videos available for streaming." Be sure to check out our previous Netflix Academy posts on
Learning gains and race
Aaron ChurchillIn a prior post, I looked at the relationship between the Buckeye State’s value-added index scores and the state’s measure of poverty.
Why the Gap? Special Education and New York City Charter Schools
Adam EmersonThe University of Washington’s Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) has emerged as the leading voice of reason on the vexing overlap between charter school policy and special education policy.
Essential reading for non-essential personnel
The Education GadflyThe Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP), which gives public dollars to low-income students to escape low-performing schools for private schools of their choosing, has come under fire from the Department of Justice for “
Houston’s Broad Prize was deserved
There may be a lot to question about how the Broad Foundation makes its award selections every year, but its annual attempt to honor improvements in urban education does not warrant the bilious commentary by Andy Smarick about the recent choice of the Houston Independent School District.
New study questions special-education quotas for charters
Adam EmersonThe Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) has emerged as the leading voice of reason on the gap that persists between charter schools and school districts when it comes to educating students with special needs.
Why I support the Common Core (and conservatives should too)
Neerav KingslandAs a Relinquisher, I’m weary of broad government mandates.
Teacher Quality 2.0 promises big changes from the original version
Michael BrickmanStaffing Design: The Missing Key to Teacher Quality 2.0, and the exemplar programs its authors highlight are worth a look.
Diane Ravitch’s Charter Narrative Is Incomplete
Former Fordham Vice President Terry Ryan discusses the real story of the charter movement in Ohio and beyond.
Systems vs. classrooms: And, not or
When he’s about to comment pointedly on some debate, the avuncularly pugnacious former U.S. Secretary of Education Bill Bennett occasionally prefaces his verbal fisticuffs by telling the old saw about the Irishman who sees two men fighting and interrupts to ask, “Is this a private fight or can anyone join?”
Netflix Academy: The 10 best streaming videos on the Maya, Inca, and Aztec
Michael J. PetrilliNote: This post is part of our series, "Netflix Academy: The best educational videos available for streaming." Be sure to check out our previous Netflix Academy posts on