'Public' schools in name only
Michael J. PetrilliA new report from Fordham today, authored by yours truly and our research assistant Janie Scull, identifies some
Did YOU attend a "private public school"?
Michael J. PetrilliOur new report, America's Private Public Schools (described below), is meant to pierce the tired rhetoric used by so many defenders of the status quo in education.
Can failing schools be turned around or is it better to close them?
Watch our debate on school turnarounds vs. closures, and don't miss insightful and provocative comments from the panelists, including this one from Andres Alonso, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools:
Messy democracy
Stafford PalmieriThat's certainly what the LAUSD vote on which of 30 schools to hand over to outside operators sounds like.
Another gold star for NYC charters
Stafford PalmieriThe now famous (or infamous) CREDO charter study from last June generated a ton of hype. (See our analysis here.) The results were largely mixed, seemly putting numbers behind the assertion that putting "charter" in front of (or after) a school name does not guarantee success.
U.S. News rankings out today
Stafford PalmieriThe annual U.S. News and World Report high school rankings have been released. Thomas Jefferson HS in Alexandria, VA takes number 1 (again).
Strong charter school demand in Texas
Chester E. Finn, Jr.Anybody who thinks charter schools are plateauing or reaching some sort of natural limit had better think again.??The Texas Public Policy Foundation has just released the number of young Texans who were on waiting lists for charter schools in that state during the last scho
Michael Gove: Attempting a revolution
Stafford PalmieriWe commented on the new British Tory plan for education in last week's Gadfly.
More on Caroline Hoxby and New York charter schools
Eric OsbergToday's Education Gadfly and Wall Street Journal editorial both capture the most important news about Caroline Hoxby's
RSD for a few more years, at least
Stafford PalmieriState Superintendent of??Louisiana??Paul Pastorek says the state will retain control of RSD for at least a few more years--and maybe forever. In a recent poll conducted in New Orleans, schools were found to be the number one improvement area in a pre- and post- Katrina comparison.
Recognizing Agassi
Stafford PalmieriThe U.S. Open starts on Monday and the opening ceremony will have a special guest: Andre Agassi.
RE: Majority of Americans misinformed about charters
Stafford PalmieriI'm just as outraged as Jamie about the general American populace's ignorance about charters... but I can't say I'm surprised. Take for example this survey of federal spending from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Tautological thinking from WV
The following is a guest post from Fordham Staff Assistant Mickey Muldoon.
D.C. enrollment drops, again
Stafford PalmieriYesterday was the first day of school in our nation's capital and only 37,000 students showed up for the big day.
Not mincing words
Emmy L. PartinAfter his second attempt to dismantle the state's charter school program was thwarted, Ohio Governor Ted S
Increasing Charter Accountability in the Wild, Wild Midwest
Terry RyanOhio's charter school program dodged a bullet this recent budget cycle (here).
Speakers announced for Fordham's forum on the future of school choice
Join us Wednesday, August 19, for a panel discussion on how the changing education policy landscape is affecting both charter schools and voucher programs. The Obama administration is aggressively pushing to expand the number of charter schools available to American families.
Today's 'Quotable and Notable'
Quotable "Sometimes I think, 'What if I'm sitting at the same desk she sat in?'" --Branaijah Melvin, 11-year-old student at Blessed Sacrament, Judge Sonia Sotomayor's K-8 school
DC voucher program saga turns into DC rights issue
Stafford PalmieriAs Andy reported last Friday, the DC Council has sent a letter to Secretary Duncan urging him to reconsider the fate of the DC Opportunity Scholarship program.
School reform and the growing disconnect between DC and the states
Terry RyanThe Fordham Institute is unique in the school reform sector in that we have offices in both Washington, DC and Ohio
Howard Fuller's straight talk
Stafford PalmieriFeeling blue about school reform? This riveting no-nonsense address by Howard Fuller at last week's National Charter School Conference will relieve your doldrums.
The Hassels: Don't turn our backs on turnarounds yet
This post, written by Bryan C. Hassel and Emily Ayscue Hassel of Public Impact, is a response to Andy Smarick's June 25 post about turnarounds.
Taking our eyes off the ball
Emmy L. Partin, Terry RyanTwo weeks ago, our friends at Ki
Virtual insanity
Michael J. PetrilliThe Oregonian reports that its state board of education last
Pray for an even playing field
Michael J. PetrilliLiam asks "if urban Catholic schools can't compete with charter schools, why do they deserve special help?"
Genuflecting before choice
Mike, I may agree with your point that Catholic schools should receive public funding.
Oden for Obama
Update: The NBA's number 1 draft pick is against???i.e., not supportive of, never has been and never will be,