Reading the scholarship of our Fordham Scholar

Earlier this year, we ??tapped three young promising scholars for our new inaugural research grant program, known as the Fordham Scho

Disturbing news from the UK

The American testing system has often been blamed for the simplification of curriculum, the cutting of art, music, and physical education classes, and the decline of quality education overall. Perhaps a laser-like focus on reading and math has produced some unintended consequences but it's a far cry better than recent developments in the United Kingdom.

Similar sentiments

On Saturday, the Washington Post advised Barack and Michelle Obama that as they think about the pros and cons of various schools here in D.C., they might also want to keep in mind the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, which gives District parents the same power of choice for their own kids.

Put your money where your mouth is

Libby Sternberg, a writer and onetime Gadfly contributor, issued the right retort to Representative Pete Hoekstra*, not

It's the states, stupid

Last week I made the fairly obvious argument that GOP governors are the key to the Republican Party's renewal, including on the education issue.

Education secretary poll: New week, same results

Our ten Washington insiders are back at work today, making their predictions for who will lead the U.S. Department of Education. And not much changed over the weekend, though Arne Duncan has certainly solidified his overwhelming lead:

Appalled twice over

Step in time

Shine those instruments and start practicing: high school bands across the country thinking "Yes, we can" march in

The coming collapse of GOP support for No Child Left Behind

For better or for worse, I believe that arguments such as this one from Representative Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), in a letter in yesterday's

DFERs aren't dummies

I've been mulling the decision by Democrats for Education Reform to suggest Chicago superintendent Arne Duncan as their top pick for education secretary. At first it seemed like the kiss of death for Duncan.

Worst case scenario

Linda Darling-Hammond, the darling of the teachers unions and ed schools, has been picked to head the education policy team for the Obama transition. This is change we can believe in?

Inez Tenenbaum jumps into second place in the race for 400 Maryland Avenue

It's Day Five of Fordham's name-the-next-education-secretary-tracking-poll, and Chicago superintendent Arne Duncan has solidified his position as the top contender.

Jason Kamras: Make it easier to remove low-performing teachers

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GOP governors got game?

The Washington Post has a front-page story today about the Republican Governors Association meeting being held in Florida this week.

Arne Duncan regains big lead in race for the education secretary job

It looks like Jim Hunt convinced our panel that he doesn't want to move to Washington, because he's back in a distant second place behind Chicago schools superintendent (and

Best case scenario

Democrats for Education Reform is circulating a document with its wish list for the transition, including suggestions for key education jobs in the Obama Administration. I read this as a guide to the positions the folks listed below would like for themselves.

Gates plan has some hot policy items, just not enough

Checker's weighing in on The Gates Foundation's new education strategy with an op-ed on Forbes.com.

Charters ahead of traditional public schools in educating poor students

The Los Angeles Times reports that several charter schools in California are outperforming traditional public schools in the state when it comes to serving children in poverty.

Jim Hunt pulls even with Arne Duncan

Maybe it was Diane Ravitch's strong arguments, or perhaps our insiders

If you want to retain great teachers, remove the bad ones

Jim Hunt says he doesn't want ed sec job

So reports the Associated Press. Will our Washington Insiders believe him?

Reader contest: Name the next secretary of education!

(Due to technical difficulties, we're giving everyone another chance to enter the name-the-next-education-secretary contest. If you already entered, please enter again).

Schools cut costs in faltering economy

From Fall intern Molly Kennedy:

Facing the Future: Financing Productive Schools

Over the past quarter century, Ohio-following national trends-has added an average of $760 million per year to K-12 education. In no year has a funding increase been less than $376 million (see here).

The Obama girls... and Miley?

The mom-in-chief better put her foot down about this .

And the speculation begins anew

"Michelle Obama visits Washington private schools "

A vote for Joel Klein

Columnist Richard Cohen caught my eye today by endorsing Al Gore for secretary of state, but much of his column is spent suggesting Joel Klein for secretary of education:

Father Coughlin, Huey Long, and me?

Today we live in a different country than we did even 10 days ago. Back then we were partaken with partisanship and infected with invectiveness.

Arne Duncan, Jim Hunt break away from the pack

It's Day Two of Fordham's pick-the-next-secretary-of-education daily tracking poll (

A few good pointers for Obama

Mike Feinberg, co-founder of KIPP and current KIPP superintendent in Houston, gives Obama a few words of advice in the Houston Chronicle . Obama should: