Shocking: Presidential candidates are playing politics with the Common Core!
The Education GadflyThe Education Gadfly
How schools can solve Robert Putnam's poverty paradox
Michael J. PetrilliPoor kids need social capital; schools can help to provide it. Michael J. Petrilli
Common Core's first breakout hit?
Robert PondiscioA free online curriculum taps a need—and a nerve.
Understanding incentives in charter authorizing
AEI just released a very good, short report on charter authorizing, “The Paperwork Pileup: Measuring the Burden of Charter School Applications.”
New Pathways to Careers and College: Examples, Evidence, and Prospects
Michelle LernerHow to identify and promote good CTE programs. Michelle Lerner
Closing the Expectations Gap 2014
Chester E. Finn, Jr.We’re doing an awful job of ensuring that kids graduate from high school with the skills to succeed. Chester E. Finn, Jr.
Governor Markell's school choice column gets lost in the mail
We’ve learned a lot since 2001. Andy Smarick
Truth and consequences
Chester E. Finn, Jr.States shouldn’t sugarcoat the bad news when reporting Common Core test results to parents. Chester E. Finn, Jr.
The Paperwork Pileup: Measuring the Burden of Charter School Applications
Kathryn MullenA new AEI report raises the right questions—and promulgates some of the wrong answers. Kathryn Mullen Upton
EngageNY's ELA curriculum is uncommonly engaging
Kathleen Porter-Magee, Victoria McDougaldAdvocates hoped Common Core would incentivize good new curriculum. It’s happening. Kathleen Porter-Magee and Victoria Sears
NEW from Fordham: Is EngageNY uncommonly engaging?
The Education GadflySince we at Fordham began reviewing state academic standards in 1997, we have understood—and made clear—that standards alone are insufficient to drive improvements in student achievement.
Knowledge is literacy
Robert PondiscioEditor's note: This post has been updated to include the entirety of "Knowledge is literacy."
The American Dream in crisis: A conversation with Robert Putnam
The Education GadflyLast week, Fordham hosted Robert Putnam for a discussion of his new book Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis, which argues that a growing opportunity gap is leaving many American children behind.
Charter law reform in Ohio: Voices from the front lines
Aaron Churchill , Jeff MurrayLeaders of high-performing schools address charter law reform efforts
MNPS Expenditures and Academic Outcomes: Long Term Opportunities for the District
Kevin MahnkenFor Nashville charters, funding disparities endanger progress. Kevin Mahnken
Bad, Better…Best
When bad schools close, families usually get something better.That’s what the Thomas B. Fordham Institute asserts in its April 2015 study School Closures and Student Achievement, using new research conducted in both traditional and charter public schools located in Ohio’s large urban school districts.
Andy Smarick on fixing Buckeye State charters
Editor's note: On May 6, Fordham contributor Andy Smarick delivered testimony before an Ohio education subcommittee on Senate Bill 148, a critical piece of legislation that would help clean up
The morality of school choice
Rewarding parents who make informed decisions. Matthew Levey
A successful formula: Shared curriculum and shared responsibility
Like pretty much everyone who is passionate about closing the achievement gap, I’m interested in Success Academies.
Games of knowledge: A review of Greg Toppo's "The Game Believes in You"
Robert PondiscioEditor's note: This post originally appeared in a slightly different form at U.S. News & World Report.I wanted to hate this book.
Why school closures matter
The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools has consistently believed that all schools should be held accountable for the performance of their students and that any school that isn’t perfor
School closures, student learning, and the new system of schools
A decade ago, I became fixated on what I saw as the biggest problem in K–12 education—that we continued to assign low-income inner-city kids to persistently failing schools.
A Shared Responsibility: Ensuring Quality Education in Every Cleveland Neighborhood
Aaron ChurchillWhere are quality school seats most needed?
Students make academic gains when low-performing schools close
Aaron ChurchillNew report findings challenge popular myth that closing schools hurts students academically
Gadfly Bites - 4/24/15
Jeff MurrayCharter law reform efforts get attention at all levels, but it's worth remembering that great charter schools can change lives