School reforms abound today, yet even the boldest and most imaginative among them have produced—at best—marginal gains in student achievement. What America needs in the twenty-first century is a far more profound version of education reform. Instead of shoveling yet more policies, programs, and practices into our current system, we must deepen our understanding of the obstacles to reform that are posed by existing structures, governance arrangements, and power relationships. Yet few education reformers—or public officials—have been willing to delve into this touchy territory. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute and the Center for American Progress have teamed up to tackle these tough issues and ask how our mostly nineteenth-century system of K-12 governance might be modernized and made more receptive to the innumerable changes that have occurred—and need to occur—in the education realm. We have commissioned fifteen first-rate analysts to probe the structural impediments to school reform and to offer provocative alternatives. Join us for an all-day conference on December 1, 2011 as these distinguished scholars—joined by a cast of forward-thinkers—present their draft papers and probe the implications for governance reform. For the full conference schedule, author bios, and an introduction to Fordham’s and CAP’s overall work-plan in this realm visit our website.
Communities across the country are struggling to meet parental demand for high quality school options, including high-performing charter schools. Yet, with hundreds of new charter schools opening every year, not nearly enough of them offer the quality education that parents crave and kids deserve. Indeed, far too many fail to deliver education any better than the troubled neighborhood schools that they are meant as alternatives to.
Ten years after NCLB became law, our panel of experts will discuss the legacy and future of the accountability movement.
Join us for the first edition of Fordham LIVE! in 2012.
Tune in on January 18 to see Flypaper's Mike Petrilli answer questions you and other readers send in via Twitter.
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute invites you to an important and timely panel discussion of how school leaders can more effectively manage dollars, cut costs and improve finances overall.
The 2008-2009 economic tsunami has slashed tax collections, squeezing government and forcing public agencies to search out cost savings. The nation's K-12 schools, which depend upon $600 billion in local, state, and federal funding, have been buffeted by
Please join us Wednesday, August 11, 2010, in Columbus, Ohio, for conversations about the Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s new book, Ohio’s Education Reform Challenges: Lessons from the Frontlines.
Featuring:
Chester E. Finn, Jr., President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Brad Mitchell, Director, Battelle-OSU STEM Education & Economic Development Engagement
Jim Mahoney, Executive Director, Battelle for Kids
For over twenty years, scholars Paul Hill and Paul Peterson have been at the forefront of the effort to bring greater educational options to America?s neediest students. Please join the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, the American Enterprise Institute, and t
The traditional processes and standards of most preparation programs do not equip principals for today?s challenging and multi-faceted role. Nor do these programs hold themselves accountable for improving student achievement results via their graduates.
Ohio's impending $6-8 billion budget shortfall and declining local property tax revenues will hit local school districts hard. Both state and local education officials are starting to examine their spending practices, seeking bold and creative ways to cut