The case for career-focused charter schools

A great way to get kids knowledge, skills, credentials, and work experience. Robert Schwartz

In God we trust; all others bring data

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.

Charters should offer pre-K…but can they?

As my colleague Sara Mead has written, we recently completed an analysis of state policies that affect charter/pre-K collaboration. In the analys

Clear and compelling goals could stimulate pre-K charter collaboration

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.

Why should charter schools offer pre-K?

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.

The state of play with ESEA, in a single table

The end is near. Hooray! Michael J. Petrilli

Senator Tim Scott’s impassioned speech on school choice

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.

Lessons from four years as superintendent of Tennessee’s Achievement School District

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.

Would a President Clinton undo reform?

The Education Gadfly

Preparing students for success with career and technical education programs

Lessons from initiatives in Ohio and Massachusetts. Kevin Mahnken

How different teaching methods affect brain activity and reading development

This is your brain on phonics. Any questions? Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.

School Indicators for New York City Charter Schools 2013–2014 School Year

Most of Gotham’s charters are already “backfilling” empty seats. Robert Pondiscio

The hard work has just begun

Getting low-income kids into college is hard. Keeping them there to earn a degree is harder. Robert Pondiscio

Pre-K and charter schools: Where state policies create barriers to collaboration

Charter schools get the short end of the stick. Again. Michael J. Petrilli and Amber M. Northern, Ph.D.

NEW from Fordham: Pre-K and Charter Schools: Where State Policies Create Barriers to Collaboration

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.

Senator Lamar Alexander on a federal opt-out provision

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

Not so fast on the parade celebrating the Nevada ESA program

I have been and continue to be a strong supporter of parental choice. I joined this fight over twenty-five years ago because I believe it can help address the systemic inequities so many poor students face. In my mind, the primary purpose of parental choice is to provide those who do not currently have high-quality educational options with access to those options.

Scott Walker quotes about education

Building social capital: What schools can learn from Head Start programs

In a National Review piece last month, Mike Petrilli raised the important issue of how schools can build on the existing social capital in low-income

Jim Webb quotes about education

Gadfly Bites - 7/10/15

Federal efforts to fix charter law in Ohio

Charter School Accountability Act Misses the Mark

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has introduced the Charter School Accountability Act. In making his case for charter school reform, Senator Brown cites a recent study by Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) showing Ohio charter students lagging their peers in traditional public schools on state assessments.

Rural innovators in education: How can we build on what they are doing?

The promise of resource sharing, blended learning, and administrative flexibility far off the beaten path. Jane Song

Credentials for All

Building career and technical pathways to improve struggling state economies. Michelle Lerner

Does Character Matter?

Of course it does, but don’t expect common standards anytime soon. Robert Pondiscio

The yin and yang of reforming Head Start

New federal regulations are encouraging. But de-federalization is half the solution. Chester E. Finn, Jr.

Is the Friedrichs case an “existential threat” to the teachers' unions?

A Supreme Court defeat in the Friedrichs case would likely weaken unions—not end them. Michael J. Petrilli and Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D.

Don't ditch accountability

Editor's note: This post originally appeared in a slightly different form at National Review Online.

To my friends on the Left and Right: Please stop polarizing the ESEA debate

It’s finally here: Our best chance to update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act since its passage shortly after 9/11.  A whole generation of students has come and gone, yet our nation’s key education law remains the same. There’s absolutely no good reason to delay reauthorization any longer. To the contrary; it’s sorely overdue.