Commentary
Fordham's biggest hits of 2012
Thank you for your readership, and we look forward to bringing you more analysis in 2013
Commentary
Commentary
Charter Schools, Curriculum & Instruction
One last thing before you go…
Andy Smarick's pick of the news, from PARCC to Zuckerberg
Video
Doing More with Less in K-12 Education: Cleveland State University
Nate Levenson and other experts discuss smarter ways to stretch school dollars.
Commentary
First Bell 12-21-12
A first look at today's education news: Mayan apocalypse rumors cause more than 30 Michigan schools to close, the "Finnish miracle story" may be an exaggeration, and more
Video
Turnaround Merry-go-round: Is the music stopping?
In November 2012, the U.S. Department of Education released an analysis of the federal School Improvement Grants program, which invests in persistently underperforming schools with the expectation that they will turn around. The early results of its most recent $3-billion infusion, as described by Education Week: "mixed" (http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2012/11/initial_school_imp…). Two-thirds of the schools made gains in math or reading scores, but the other third saw achievement decline. Program supporters contend that one year of data is not enough to draw conclusions about the program. Critics ask whether taxpayers should expend a single cent more on what they deem a failed experiment. Who's right? The Fordham Institute is bringing together three leading voices on urban schooling for a debate on the future of turnarounds: Bellwether Education and Fordham edu-wonk Andy Smarick; the Department of Education's Carmel Martin; and former Chicago schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard.
Commentary
Frank Macchiarola (1941-2012), RIP
He was student-centered, politically astute, tireless, very smart, entrepreneurial—and kind, generous, and decent
Commentary
First Bell 12-20-12
A first look at today's education news: NYC school officials backtrack from plan to overhaul gifted-and-talented programs, New Orleans bans the teaching of creationism, and more
Commentary
Commentary
Sandy Hook and school reform
When we pick ourselves up and turn back to our day jobs, the work of school reform, there is an unavoidable question: What does Sandy Hook mean for that work?
Commentary
First Bell 12-19-12
A first look at today's education news: School districts consider arming their security officers, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder vetoes a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons in schools, and more
Commentary
Our Responsibility, Our Promise: Transforming Educator Preparation and Entry into the Profession
The Council of Chief State School Officers has released a set of recommendations for fundamentally transforming the preparation and licensure of both teachers and principals
Commentary
First Bell 12-18-12
A first look at today's education news: A Pennsylvania man pleads guilty to defrauding the NYC Ed Dept of $2.7 million meant for special-education children, Forbes identifies the "30 under 30" in education, and more
Commentary
Commentary
Sandy Hook is an outstanding school
May those who perished rest in peace. And may Sandy Hook, in time, resume its outstanding education record.
Commentary
First Bell 12-17-12
A first look at today's education news: President Obama's words to Newtown, parents and educators think about how to discuss safety with children, and more
Commentary
General Failure
On the importance of holding executives accountable and the lurking dangers when those on the ground are disconnected from those in policy positions.
Commentary
First Bell 12-14-12
A first look at today's education news: Philadelphia to close 37 schools, school-to-prison pipelines on trial, and more
Commentary
First Bell 12-13-12
A first look at today's education news: Tony Bennett is Florida's new education chief, teacher-pension programs are on shaky legs, and more
Commentary
Commentary
Commentary
A primer on right-to-work and collective bargaining in education
Michigan officially became the 24th right-to-work state in the nation—an astounding turn of events in a former bastion of collective bargaining. So what does this mean for teacher unions?
Commentary
First Bell 12-12-12
A first look at today's education news: Michigan becomes a right-to-work state, the news media is confused about the most recent international test scores, and more
Commentary
Charter Schools
School re-districting in the name of diversity: A cure worse than the malady
Mike has written a terrific book, and his ideas are always worth pondering. But this one ain’t so great.
Commentary
First take on Race to the Top-District results
This afternoon, Sec. Duncan announced the winners of RTTT-D. The results are quite surprising.
Commentary
Commentary
First Bell: 12-11-12
A first look at today's education news: The latest international achievement exams are open to interpretation, WSJ profiles School of One, and more
Report
School Finance, Governance, Teachers & School Leaders
Strategies for Smarter Budgets and Smarter Schools
This new policy brief by Nathan Levenson, Managing Director at the District Management Council and former superintendent of Arlington (MA) Public Schools, offers informed advice to school districts seeking to provide a well-rounded, quality education to all children in a time of strained budgets. Levenson recommends three strategies: prioritize both achievement and cost-efficiency; make staffing decisions based on student needs, not student preferences; and manage special-education spending for better outcomes and greater cost-effectiveness.
Commentary
Commentary
Charter Schools
The Diverse Schools Dilemma on the air and on the net
Here’s a roundup of recent and forthcoming media attention that Mike Petrilli's new book, the Diverse Schools Dilemma, has garnered.