Boston’s high-quality charters make no excuses
Here follows the first entry in Fordham’s “Charter School Policy Wonk-a-Thon,” in which Mike Petrilli challenged a number of prominent scholars, practitioners, and policy ana
Beach edu-reads, part 1
With Memorial Day in our rearview mirror and Labor Day far over the horizon, miles and miles of beach-filled days stretch ahead of us. Nothing complements SPF 325 and drinks with umbrellas like some high-quality recent edu-reads. Here’s the first installment of some good stuff I’ve come across; you’ll get tranche two tomorrow.
NACSA’s sixth annual survey and the future of authorizing
I’m a huge believer in high-quality charter authorizing. My view is that many of the strengths of chartering today are attributable to good authorizing and that many of chartering’s weaknesses are the result of bad authorizing.
Announcing a charter school policy wonk-a-thon!
Michael J. PetrilliIt strikes us at the Thomas B.
Netflix Academy: The best streaming videos on outer space
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
Why do students read under their grade level?
Ann DuffettRenaissance Learning’s annual look at what books students choose when they read for pleasure found high school students reading “far fewer words” than younger students and middle and high school students choosing books that are below grade level.
Strong assessment tests are key to strong schools
Michael J. PetrilliCommon Core State Standards have had quite a year in Michigan.
Map the Gap: Confronting The Leadership Talent Gap in The New Urban Education Ecosystem
Pamela TatzThe education-reform movement is experiencing a rapid acceleration, mainly fueled by great strides in expanding school choice. The number of charter schools in the U.S.
Intellectual coherence and the Common Core
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Michael J. PetrilliJust because some criticisms of Common Core standards are over the top and dripping with misinformation doesn’t make them all so. Plenty of valid concerns exist, and the estimable Peggy Noonan recently homed in on several of them.
The ‘public’ in the urban public education system of the future
Last week, I participated in two events that challenged my ideas on one of urban education’s trickiest and most combustible issues.
A response to Gary Rubinstein
Michael J. PetrilliThe following is a response to Gary Rubinstein’s post, “Open Letters To ‘B-List’ Reformers I Know. Part 3: Michael Petrilli”Dear Gary,
Netflix Academy: The best streaming videos on the Lewis and Clark Expedition
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
Implementing the Common Core with Struggling Readers
Kathleen Porter-MageeWhile political fireworks are grabbing most of the Common Core headlines these days, the real story is how teachers and leaders—particularly those within the reform community—are changing their daily practice in light of the content and rigor demands of the CCSS.
The new AP US History test guide: Standards-lite, thematic guide, or not quite either?
Jeremy A. SternIn creating a new Course and Exam Description for the revamped Advanced Placement US History test (coming in the 2014–15 academic year), the College Board’s writers faced a notable challenge.
School Choice in 2014: The year in review (so far)
Michael BrickmanAs most states’ legislative sessions wind down for the year, it’s not too early to ask how school choice has been faring, particularly when compared with the remarkable gains around the country during the past several years. Here’s a rundown, in case you haven’t been paying attention:
Prestigious visitors learning lessons from outstanding charter schools in Columbus
Kathryn MullenUnited Schools Network welcomes fellows from Building Excellent Schools to observe and learn from their success.
Prestigious visitors learning lessons from outstanding charter schools in Columbus
Kathryn MullenUnited Schools Network welcomes fellows from Building Excellent Schools to observe and learn from their success.
The State of Charter School Authorizers 2013
Andrew McDonnellEvery year, the National Association of Charter School Authorizers draws on survey data from half of the nation’s charter-school authorizers to assess the quality of their practices, outlining a set of twelve essential practices and scoring authorizers based on their adherence to them. In this sixth edition, the results are mixed.
Individual district schools don’t serve all students, either
Michael J. PetrilliLast week was National Charter School Week and, to celebrate, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Success and Opportunity through Quality Charter Schools Act.” This was an exciting occasion for us Washington-based policy wonks, starved as we are for any legislative action on education.
In defense of the anti–Common Core Right
Michael BrickmanIt’s true that many conservatives (and liberals, too!) have employed pretty outlandish rhetoric in their effort to discredit the Common Core. It’s also true that many of the things these opponents say are either factually untrue or unrelated to the standards themselves.
Setting a course toward charter quality
Chad L. AldisNow is the time for a renewed commitment to charter school quality in Ohio.
Setting a course toward charter quality
Now is the time for a renewed commitment to charter school quality in Ohio.
National Charter Schools Week: A time to celebrate good charter schools
Jeff MurrayA look back at a week of charter school profiles.
The DOJ and Wisconsin’s private-school choice program: a storm is brewing
Last week, the Wisconsin Reporter reported that the United States Department of Justice is still conducting an “ongoing investigation” into whether Wisconsin’s private-school choice program d
Celebrating National Charter Schools Week: Columbus Collegiate Academy and the United Schools Network are EPIC performers in Ohio’s capital
Jeff MurrayOur final National Charter Schools Week school feature is a bit overdue, but introduce you to one of the brightest lights in the Fordham portfolio.
Netflix Academy: The best streaming videos on earthquakes and volcanoes
Michael J. PetrilliNote: This post is part of our series, "Netflix Academy: The best educational videos available for streaming