This week, Mike and Rick chat about how to walk, chew gum, and teach science at the same time; the D.C. teachers' union's sea change; and the language of love. Paul Peterson (not the butterfly collector) grants us an interview, and Education News of the Weird is a distant hum. All in under 20 minutes-it's a celebration!
Editor's note: Shortly before his untimely death in February, we commissioned an article from Hunter S. Thompson, famed gonzo journalist and little-known charter school supporter. Unfortunately, all we received were notes written on cocktail napkin scraps. To the careful reader they revealed a certain theme, however, as well as Thompson's distinctive verve.
The Rockgirt, Nebraska school system cancelled its school year, fearing potential violations of the No Child Left Behind act. "The federal government wants us to do everything we can to leave no child behind. Well, that's impossible, so we've decided to leave all children behind.
Longtime director of the federal Charter Schools Program Dean Kern has moved to new intergalactic adventures. Are you interested in managing an important federal grant program that helps support charter schools in many states? Oversee six grant programs totaling nearly $250 million per year, as well as a robust portfolio of technical assistance, evaluation, and dissemination?
“[This plan] will fundamentally change the federal role in education. We will move from being a compliance monitor to being an engine for innovation.”--Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, March 17, 2010, before the House Education and Labor Committee
Fight For Children seeks a director of external relations. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree and eight to ten years of experience in development and communications, and will be expected to design an integrated development plan.
Educational entrepreneurs take note: the Mind Trust is accepting applications for its Education Entrepreneur Fellowship. Fellows receive a full-time salary, benefits, office space, and customized training and support to turn a promising idea into a functioning educational venture with large-scale, transformational benefits for Indianapolis and beyond.
Fordham's Checker Finn is featured in the latest issue of Policy Magazine, put out by Australia's Centre for Independent Studies. He's the subject of a meaty six-page interview that's worth checking out.
Only yesterday, Fordham's Checker Finn chatted on-line about his new book, Troublemaker, and about innumerable topics of burning significance, with Ed Week readers. Check out the transcript here.
Read Checker Finn's June 7 NCLB testimony before the House Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee here.
Los Angeles Superintendent (and former Navy admiral) David Brewer III wrote in a recent Los Angeles Times op-ed that anyone reading about the city's schools probably thinks "not a single thing is going right and that nothing is happening to fix what's wrong." Some things are indeed going right, including charter schools, which are trying to gain a bigger role in the C
This week, Mike and Rick chirp about Fenty's haircut, strategies for good HOUSSEkeeping, and whether Bangalore is the new Cambridge. We've got an interview with Andy Smarick that will rock your socks, and News of the Weird isn't hurting anybody, man. If this 20-minute podcast is played in a forest, and nobody hears it, do bears have computers? Think about it.
There's nothing like a little old-fashioned blackmail. . . . The Wall Street Journal reports that education unions are increasingly turning to powerful allies in their fight against education privatization and outsourcing: public employee retirement funds and their billions of investment dollars.
Florida has been “reconsidering” its state constitutional class size amendment since…2002, a.k.a. the year it was passed by voters.
In case you hadn't noticed, the Fordham Ohio team has started contributing to the Institute's blog, Flypaper. They've already added some stellar content and are sure to continue doing so in the future.
Have strong communication skills, a deep interest in philanthropy, and two or more years of experience in K-12 education? Then you may be just the candidate sought by the Philanthropy Roundtable to fill its deputy director of K-12 education programs position.
The latest issue of the AFT's American Educator features an article about Fordham's Proficiency Illusion report, which showed state tests and their definitions of "proficiency" are all over the map in terms of difficulty. Read it here.
On August 26 from 3:30-5pm, join us for a presentation and discussion of our recently published reflection on authorizing charter schools in Ohio.
In our next edition of the Great Debate series, Kevin Carey, John Kirtley, Gerard Robinson, and Susan Zelman will discuss "With charter schools ascendant, is there still a future for vouchers?" Mike Petrilli will moderate. It's happening on August 19 from 4 to 5:30 pm. RSVP to Amy Fagan at [email protected].
As astute Gadfly readers and Fordham watchers have no doubt noticed, in recent months we've introduced ever more media products for your education policy pleasure. First (after Gadfly itself) came our Education Gadfly Show podcast (two full years ago!).
Our upcoming event “National Education Standards circa 2009” is sold out! But don’t fret, you can watch the proceedings via live webcast on our website www.edexcellence.net on the day of the event.
On Wednesday, February 6th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., we're hosting a Fordham open house (at 1016 16th St.
Dayton Daily News ran two articles over the weekend illustrating a frustrating dichotomy when it comes to charter school quality in Ohio.
Next school year marks the Fordham Foundation’s fifth year as a charter school sponsor in Ohio. We currently have four schools up for renewal of their original sponsorship agreements (aka, charters).
Mike and Rick tackle Duncan’s secret RTTT panels, the impact of Obama’s “spending freeze,” and leadership voids in a few left-of-center ed policy shops. Then Amber explains the new OECD findings and Rate that Reform goes red.
This week, Mike and Rick debate D.C. vouchers, L.A. walkout, and PA exit exams. Jeff Kuhner defends an accused terrorist, and Education News of the Weird is the blade that stands up gets mowed down. Click here to listen through our website and peruse past editions.
This week, Mike and Rick talk about NAEP, militant Miami soccer moms, and a Fordham report's long-lost twin. Our interview is holier than thou, and News of the Weird goes Sub-Saharan. Click here to listen through our website and view past editions.
Should computer algorithms determine our national English curriculum? That’s what E.D. Hirsch wants to know when he raises this shockingly relevant--if absurd--question in his evaluation of the draft “Common Core” college-ready standards. The standards, in his view, have several pluses.
