Commentary
Commentary
First Bell 2-6-13
A first look at today's education news: It's National Digital Learning Day, Cantor pushes school choice and college affordability, and more
Commentary
Charter Schools, Curriculum & Instruction
A few good reads
Andy Smarick's pick of recent education news
Commentary
First Bell 2-5-13
A first look at today's education news: Texas's school-finance system has been ruled unconstitutional, the ironic failure of an online class on how to create online classes has reporters falling over themselves, and more
Commentary
Charter Schools
The Alternative
The second of two posts on the past, present, and future of urban schooling
Commentary
Charter Schools
Kojo, Mike, and Abigail on shifting school boundaries
Earlier today on WAMU, Washington’s local NPR station, Kojo Nnamdi hosted a fascinating discussion on school boundaries, charter schools, and choice
Commentary
First Bell 2-4-13
A first look at today's education news: Alabama withdraws from both Common Core testing consortia, Arne Duncan will focus on school safety and early childhood education in the second term, and more
Report
Standards
Commentary & Feedback on Draft II of the Next Generation Science Standards
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute has provided big-picture feedback and detailed, standard-specific commentary for the second draft of the Next Generation Science Standards—standards that done right, set a firm foundation upon which the rest of science education across the states will be constructed. In our comments on the first draft, we concluded that “the NGSS authors have much to do to ensure that the final draft is a true leap forward in science education.” In comments on Draft II, we address to what extent NGSS writers have moved closer to a set of K–12 science standards that even states with strong standards of their own would do well to adopt.
Commentary
Charter Schools
We can change
The first of two posts on the past, present, and future of urban schooling
Commentary
First Bell 2-1-13
A first look at today's education news: The RTTT progress report reveals troubles in D.C., Georgia, and Maryland; Ohio governor Kasich proposes an expansion of his state's voucher program; and more
Commentary
First Bell 1-31-13
A first look at today's education news: Gov. Cuomo threatens to impose a teacher-evaluation system on NYC, Bill Gates makes the case for investing in a strong teacher-evaluation system, and more
Commentary
Commentary
First Bell 1-30-13
A first look at today's education news: A teacher warns that "overparenting" can limit the life lessons that a teacher can impart, Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) will step into key education-policy roles, and more
Commentary
HUD, in the role of Mr. Higgins
The Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing Program (MTO), the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s twenty-year attempt at a real-life Pygmalion, has failed
Commentary
Charter Schools
Is the red tape a red herring?
Many proponents of private school choice take for granted that schools won’t participate if government asks too much of them; but is this assumption justified?
Commentary
First Bell 1-29-13
A first look at today's education news: The Education Department is investigating whether some school-closure plans are discriminatory, Ohio releases teacher-prep data, and more
Commentary
Charter Schools
School Choice Regulations: Red Tape or Red Herring?
It turns out that private schools are not vehemently opposed to academic accountability (including state testing and reporting requirements), according to a new Fordham report out today
Commentary
First Bell 1-28-13
A first look at today's education news: Senator Tom Harkin will not seek re-election in 2014, teachers in Seattle are boycotting the state's MAP exam, and more
Commentary
Commentary
First Bell 1-25-13
A first look at today's education news: D.C.'s school closures are just the start of a broader plan to make the school district more efficient, the Obama administration announces that disabled students have a right to play school sports, and more
Commentary
The Obama Administration invents a right to wheelchair basketball
And they do so without public debate or Congressional authorization
Commentary
First Bell 1-24-13
A first look at today's education news: Insiders are skeptical that the Department of Education will make gains in teacher-preparation regulations this year, a literacy teacher urges her colleagues to see the potential in Common Core, and more
Commentary
Commentary
Nixon, his staff, and the art of government reports
Because of the catastrophic ripples of the Watergate break-in, galling recordings from the Oval Office, and much more, our 37th president is largely persona non grata to the right and even worse to the left
Report
Charter Schools, Governance, Private School Choice
School Choice Regulations: Red Tape or Red Herring?
Many proponents of private school choice take for granted that schools won’t participate if government asks too much of them, especially if it demands that they be publicly accountable for student achievement. Were such school refusals to be widespread, the programs themselves could not serve many kids. But is this assumption justified? A new Fordham Institute study—to be released on January 29—provides empirical answers. Do regulations and accountability requirements deter private schools from participating in choice programs? How important are such requirements compared to other factors, such as voucher amounts? Are certain types of regulations stronger deterrents than others? Do certain types schools shy away from regulation more than others?
Commentary
First Bell: 1-23-13
A first look at today's education news: Cash-strapped American religious schools welcome a surge in foreign-student enrollment, teacher colleges are overproducing elementary school teachers, and more
Commentary
Charter Schools
The Diverse Schools Dilemma: On the web, on the air, and in your hometown
Mike's new book, the Diverse Schools Dilemma: A Parent's Guide to Socioeconomically Mixed Public Schools, continues to garner attention
Commentary
First Bell 1-22-13
A first look at education news from this weekend and today: Obama's inauguration speech touched on training more STEM teachers and improving school security, the U.S. high school graduation rate hit a 35-year high, and more
Commentary
Charter Schools, Advanced Education
What We’re Listening To: Mike Petrilli and Josh Starr on Whether the Brightest Students Are Being Challenged
This week, Mike Petrilli was a guest on "What’s the Big Idea?," a podcast hosted by Josh Starr
Commentary
MET: Now What?
The Gates Foundation’s MET study was a grand success in K–12 research—but what happens next is what matters