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.
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.
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
Now you’re entitled to your own facts, too
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Something unsavory is underway at the Department of Education and in the world of pre-school zealotry.They seem to be merging—and in so doing they risk the integrity of our education-data system.
Celebrating National Charter Schools Week: DECA Prep is a high-quality learning lab
Theda SampsonCelebrating National Charter Schools Week: Village Preparatory School :: Woodland Hills Campus adds a new school leader
Miles Caunin, J.D.Village Preparatory School: Woodland Hills Campus (VPWH) is located in the Kinsman-Woodland Hills area of Cleveland and serves about 300 students in grades K–3. VPWH is a part of the incredibly successful Breakthrough Schools network.
Celebrating National Charter Schools Week: KIPP Columbus boosting the academic success of needy kids
Aaron ChurchillColumbus is the proud home to the Buckeye State’s lone KIPP charter school.
Celebrating National Charter Schools Week: Growth is in the works at Phoenix Community Learning Center
Miles Caunin, J.D.Phoenix Community Learning Center is in the midst of a structural renaissance. The school, Fordham’s only sponsored school in Cincinnati, has plans to expand their current school building, which would eventually add three classrooms and a media center.
Celebrating National Charter Schools Week: Sciotoville Elementary Academy
Kathryn Mullen Upton, Jeff MurrayAs noted in our intro blog to this week’s series on National Charter Schools Week, no two charter schools are alike. An excellent case in point is the two charter schools that Fordham sponsors in the Southern Ohio town of Sciotoville.
Fordham celebrates National Charter Schools Week
Chad L. Aldis, Jeff MurrayPresident Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation naming May 4 through May 10 “National Charter Schools Week.” This reflects the growing bipartisan support enjoyed by charter schools across the nation.
The 'Year of School Choice' bears fruit
Chad L. AldisThe Wall Street Journal dubbed 2011 “The Year of School Choice” after more than a dozen states enacted school-choice legislation that spring.
Charter School Funding: Inequity Expands
Brandon L. WrightHigher-quality products justify greater investments. Full stop. Unfortunately, when it comes to charter schools, states almost universally reject this logic.
An unprecedented and welcome step for ODE
Jeff MurrayAdditional scrutiny reveals weakness in some sponsors' processes.
Charter paean disguised as a donors’ guide
The Philanthropy Roundtable recently released an exceptional publication produced by an exceptional author.
Next for Neerav, NSNO, and NOLA
Today, New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) announced that longtime CEO Neerav Kingsland will transition out of the organization this summer.
From Promising to Proven: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Expanding on the Success of Charter Schools
Aaron ChurchillFor two decades, path-breaking philanthropies have propelled the growth of charter schools. Today, more than 2.5 million American children attend a charter school, and research has shown that, done well, charters can produce impressive academic results.
The outer limits of school choice
Jeff MurrayWhen we talk about educational choice on these pages, we are mostly speaking of charters, vouchers, digital learning, and the like. But in Fordham’s home state of Ohio, educational choice encompasses several other options, of which many families regularly avail themselves. Two of those “outer-limits” options have been in the news recently.
E-schools drive Ohio’s charter-school growth
Aaron ChurchillOnline charter schools have been the primary driver of sector growth; with a number of implications
The Effect of Co-Locations on Student Achievement in NYC Public Schools
New York mayor Bill de Blasio has made clear his aversion toward charter schools, singling out in particular his predecessor’s policy of allowing charter schools to co-locate with the city’
The de Blasio paradox: Private money and public schools
By now, education observers are aware of New York City mayor Bill de Blasio’s incursion on the Big Apple’s charter sector.