I’ve always appreciated Andy Smarick’s efforts to create a new vision for urban school districts, but his recent piece about the importance of data in education strikes an especially resonant chord. Understanding the context where we preach our policy “scripture” is pivotal if our ultimate goal is to improve children’s opportunities.
Cooperation and communication are more important than structure. Damien Schuster
The potential for customization is no bull. Kevin Mahnken
Poor kids get worse teachers, however you define them. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
For years, I worried that I was auditioning to be the Edward Gibbon of urban Catholic schooling, chronicling the decline and fall of an invaluable, sprawling institution.
Let’s not break those things about Catholic schools that make them effective. Kathleen Porter Magee
Charter reform in the state budget
Earlier this year, Forbes released a celebration of edu-wunderkinds, its “30 under 30” in education. Reading the descriptions of their innovative, tech-focused work made me feel totally old and out of touch. Though we’re separated by only 10–15 years, the gap in worldview felt enormous.
CTE works, but some programs are better than others. James White
Step one: Teach the math. Step two: Have the students practice it. Step three: There is no step three. Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
More of the same nonsense from TED talk superstar Sir Ken Robinson. Robert Pondiscio
A great way to get kids knowledge, skills, credentials, and work experience. Robert Schwartz
I had an economics professor in grad school who told us that every civilized household should use the most recent edition of the “Statistical Abstract of the United States” as a coffee table book.
As my colleague Sara Mead has written, we recently completed an analysis of state policies that affect charter/pre-K collaboration. In the analys
Sara Mead and Ashley LiBetti Mitchel have done a great public service by providing a detailed study of how the early care and K–12 education policy landscape creates barriers to collaboration. It is good to see the Thomas B. Fordham Institute focusing its considerable knowledge and prestige on thinking about this opportunity.
Last week, the Thomas B. Fordham Institute released a new report authored by my colleague Ashley LiBetti Mitchel and me on charter schools and pre-K.
Editor’s note: Last week, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) sponsored an amendment that would have allowed Title I dollars to follow low-income children to the schools of their choice. It failed, 45–51.
Editor’s note: Chris Barbic announced today his decision to step down as the head of Tennessee’s Achievement School District, a position he has held since 2011.
Lessons from initiatives in Ohio and Massachusetts. Kevin Mahnken
This is your brain on phonics. Any questions? Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
Most of Gotham’s charters are already “backfilling” empty seats. Robert Pondiscio
Getting low-income kids into college is hard. Keeping them there to earn a degree is harder. Robert Pondiscio
Charter schools get the short end of the stick. Again. Michael J. Petrilli and Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.
In a new study released today from Fordham, authors Sara Mead and Ashley LiBetti Mitchel examine thirty-six jurisdictions that have both charter schools and state-funded pre-K programs to determine where charters can provide state-funded pre-K.
Yesterday, the Senate debated an amendment proposed by Mike Lee (R-UT) that would have required states to allow parents to opt-out of federally-mandated tests without penalizing their scho
