Shows
The Education Gadfly Show#978: Mike on the mic: Regulation in school choice programsOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show, Mike returns for another solo episode, reflecting on the role of regulation in school choice—is it stifling innovation or saving us from bad schools?Then, on the Research Minute, Adam covers a study looking at the relationship between timed math testing and anxiety among fourth- and fifth-grade students.Recommended content:“Democrats’ School Choice Dilemma” —Michael J. Petrilli, for the Wall Street Journal“Seizing educational dynamism” —Stéphane Lavertu and Tim Rosenberger, Thomas B. Fordham Institute“School Choice Should Take the Road Less Traveled” —Robert Enlow and Michael Q. McSh...
2025-07-2335 minThe Education Gadfly Show#975: Mike on the mic: On “discrimination” and demagogueryOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Mike flies solo to reflect on what’s happening across the education reform landscape—from the private school choice debate to the question of whether education reform has successfully scaled.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a study examining four-day school weeks and their (paltry) impact on teacher recruitment and retention.Recommended content:“Maine Case Opens New Battleground for School Choice: The Right to Discriminate” —Linda Jacobson, The 74“What Betsy DeVos should say about vouchers, LGBT rights, and religious liberty” —Mike Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham Institu...
2025-06-2535 minThe Education Gadfly Show#974: The Risks of the Educational Choice for Children Act, with Jon ValantOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jon Valant —director of the Brown Center on Education Policy and a senior fellow in Governance Studies at Brookings—joins Mike to discuss his recent analysis of the federal tax credit scholarship initiative included in the Republican budget bill and its potential to open the door to waste, fraud, and discriminatory practices. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a Belgian study comparing the cognitive and non-cognitive effects of work-based learning within different vocational education arrangements.Recommended content: “The Educational Choice for Children Act opens the door to w...
2025-06-1831 minThe Education Gadfly Show#973: Debunking the teacher experience myth, with Linda Darling-Hammond and Anne PodolskyOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Linda Darling-Hammond and Anne Podolsky of the Learning Policy Institute—authors of our latest Think Again brief, “Do the Returns to Teacher Experience Fizzle Out?”—join Mike and David to discuss whether teachers really stop improving after just a few years on the job. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a study examining the extent of school board turnover and whether it is linked to school performance.Recommended content: “Think Again: Do the returns to teacher experience fizzle out?” —Anne Poldolsky and Linda Darling-Hammond, Learning Policy Institute...
2025-06-1127 minThe Education Gadfly Show#972: Indiana’s charter strategy: A red-state roadmap? with Brandon BrownOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust, joins Mike to explain why charter school advocates keep winning in red states—and how others might follow Indiana’s lead. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a new study documenting the sharp rise in teacher absences post-pandemic—and why it matters for schools and students.Recommended content:“Charter school advocates keep winning—at least in red states” —Brandon Brown, CEO of The Mind Trust, for Thomas B. Fordham Institute“Education reform in red versus blue states” — Michael Petrilli, Thomas B. Fo...
2025-06-0428 minThe Education Gadfly Show#971: A “Quality Check” on school accountability, with Tom Toch and Lynn OlsonOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Tom Toch, director of FutureEd, and Lynn Olson, former deputy director at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, join Mike and David to discuss Lynn’s new paper, “Quality Check: The New, Best Way to Measure School Performance.” Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study on the economic effects of Universal Pre-Kindergarten programs, showing that UPK boosted workforce participation across nine states and cities.Recommended content:“Quality Check: The New, Best Way to Measure School Performance” —Lynn Olson, FutureEd“A New, Bipartisan Agenda for Raising Student...
2025-05-2941 minThe Education Gadfly Show#969: Charters, church, and the Court with Starlee ColemanOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Starlee Coleman, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, joins Mike and David to discuss the religious charter schools case currently before the U. S. Supreme Court. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study out of Dallas on whether an automatic Algebra enrollment policy boosted participation among underserved students.Recommended content: “SCOTUS should mandate state support for religious education, but not via charter schools”—Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham Institute“Supreme Court Case Could Reshape Landscape for Charter and Religious S...
2025-05-1435 minThe Education Gadfly Show#968: Are school inspections the accountability tool we’ve overlooked? with Erik Robelen#968: Are school inspections the accountability tool we’ve overlooked? with Erik RobelenOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, former Education Week reporter Erik Robelen joins Mike and David to discuss school inspections—what they are, how they might fit into accountability systems, and who’s actually using them in U.S. schools. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber highlights a study on how AI tools can help middle school math teachers personalize their lessons.Recommended content: Erik Robelen, “The Full Measure of a School,” Education Next (Spring 2025).Erik Robelen, “Eng...
2025-05-0735 minThe Education Gadfly Show#967: Mississippi’s secret? Twenty years of persistence and progress, with Rachel CanterOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Rachel Canter, the founding executive director of Mississippi First and the new director of education policy at the Progressive Policy Institute, joins Mike and David to discuss what really fueled Mississippi’s dramatic gains in student achievement. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a new study examining the impact of Ohio’s EdChoice voucher program on college enrollment and graduation rates.Recommended content: Rachel Canter, The Truth About Mississippi’s NAEP Gains, Mississippi First (July 5, 2023)Emily Freitag, “A bold state move to improve reading,” Thomas B. For...
2025-04-3038 minThe Education Gadfly Show#966: Is calculus king? Rethinking math pathways, with Matt GianiOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Matt Giani, professor and researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, joins Mike and David to discuss whether there’s a one-size-fits-all math pathway for students, as explored in Calculus or Statistics: Does It Matter?—a new study he coauthored for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study that examines whether Indiana’s statewide private school voucher program has had any competitive effects on public school student outcomes.Recommended content: Matt Giani, Franchesca Lyra, and Adam Tyner. Calculus or Statis...
2025-04-2335 minThe Education Gadfly Show#965: Understanding ESSA Waivers, with Anne HyslopOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Anne Hyslop, Director of Policy Development at All4Ed, joins Mike and David to discuss the evolving federal role in K–12 education—particularly how the Secretary of Education’s waiver authority may—and may not--impact state flexibility on spending and testing under ESSA (the current iteration of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act). Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reviews a new study out of Massachusetts that examines whether students in departmentalized elementary schools perform better in middle school.Recommended content: Anne Hyslop and Dave Powell, ESEA Waiver...
2025-04-1639 minThe Education Gadfly Show#964: Why states should keep testing, with Scott MarionOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Scott Marion, Executive Director of the Center for Assessment, joins Mike and David to discuss why states should maintain annual assessments—even if the Trump Administration waives some federal testing requirements. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam reviews a study comparing surveys and test scores as measures of school quality and predictors of long-term student success.Recommended content: The Case for State Testing, The National Center for the Improvement of Education Assessment, Inc., (March 2025).The Case for Statewide School Accountability Systems, The National Center for the Impro...
2025-04-0934 minThe Education Gadfly Show#963: All about the Educational Choice for Children Act, with Jim BlewOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jim Blew, co-founder of the Defense of Freedom Institute, joins Mike and David to talk about his work on the Educational Choice for Children Act—a federal proposal that could expand educational options for families through school vouchers. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a study on how expanding broadband access for Chicago families during the pandemic benefitted high achieving students but hurt their lower-performing peers.Recommended content: Children’s Tuition Fund, Federal Tax Credit: What You Need to Know About the Educational Choice for Children...
2025-04-0239 minThe Education Gadfly Show#962: Replacing DEI with something better, with Richard KahlenbergOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Richard Kahlenberg, author of Class Matters: The Fight to Get Beyond Race Preferences, Reduce Inequality, and Build Real Diversity at America’s Colleges, joins Mike and David to discuss how Democrats can move beyond DEI and embrace “integration, equal opportunity, and belonging.” Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a study on the relationship between standardized test scores, high school GPA, and first-year college performance at Ivy-Plus universities.Recommended content: Richard Kahlenberg, “Time to Ditch DEI in Favor of Something Better,” The Liberal Patriot, (March 5, 2025).Richard Kahlenberg, A...
2025-03-2637 minThe Education Gadfly Show#961: How “No Excuses” charter schools went off the rails, with Steven WilsonOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Steven Wilson, senior fellow at the Pioneer Institute, joins Mike to discuss his new book The Lost Decade: Returning to the Fight for Better Schools in America, which argues that the push for so-called Antiracist education derailed reform and harmed marginalized students. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a study on how educators divide their attention during virtual tutoring—and how achievement, gender, race, and English learner status influence those interactions.Recommended content: Steven Wilson, “The Lost Decade: Returning to the Fight for Better Schools in Amer...
2025-03-1937 minThe Education Gadfly Show#960: Why Secretary McMahon shouldn’t waive federal testing requirements, with Charles BaroneOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Charles Barone, Senior Director of the Center for Innovation at the National Parents Union, joins Mike and David to discuss the future of federal assessment and accountability policies under the Trump Administration. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a study on student loan forgiveness and its impact on work, earnings, and borrowing.Recommended content: Charles Barone, “The Future of Assessment and Accountability | Part 1 | Goodbye Federal Assessment Guardrails?,” National Parents Union (2025).Dale Chu, “Are states ready to lead on education? Could Trump’s policies set them up to fail...
2025-03-1235 minThe Education Gadfly Show#959: Are GPAs the key to measuring school quality? with Jing Liu and Seth GershensonOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jing Liu (University of Maryland) and Seth Gershenson (American University), authors of our latest report, Ready or Not? A New Way to Measure Elementary and Middle School Quality, join Mike and David to explore how tracking students’ future GPAs could offer a clearer measure of school quality. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reviews a new study on young children’s evolving media consumption habits and their effects.Recommended content: Jing Liu, Ph.D. Seth Gershenson, Ph.D. and Max Anthenelli, Ready or Not? A New Way to...
2025-03-0540 minThe Education Gadfly Show#957: DOGE, IES, and the future of education researchOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Mike and David discuss what’s really going on with DOGE, including its cuts to IES research grants and the implications for education policy. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber highlights a study on whether the Core Knowledge curriculum helped strengthen kindergarteners’ vocabulary and knowledge.Recommended content: Chester E. Finn, Jr., “Easy, DOGE. IES matters.,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (February 11, 2025).Robert Pondiscio, “Culture war vs. competence: Why conservatives should support Penny Schwinn,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (February 6, 2025).Chester E. Finn, Jr., “Trump should stay out of what students lea...
2025-02-1937 minThe Education Gadfly Show#956: How schools can manage deportation fears, with Delia PompaOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Delia Pompa, Senior Fellow for Education Policy at MPI’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, joins Mike and David to discuss how the potential threat of immigration agents at school doors is affecting students—and what can be done to keep them coming to class. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a study on the impact of a Hawaii Public Schools policy that raised special education teacher salaries by $10,000.Recommended content: Alexander Russo, “Threat Assesment: Ice raids in schools,” The Grade (February 5, 2025).Ileana Najarro, “How Schools C...
2025-02-1230 minThe Education Gadfly Show#955: Critical race theory: The student perspective with Brian KisidaOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Brian Kisida, Associate Professor at the Truman School of Government & Public Affairs at the University of Missouri, joins Mike and David to discuss his recent Education Next article, which reports on what high school students are hearing from their teachers about racism in America. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study about how test-optional policies at elite universities hurt high-achieving, disadvantaged students.Recommended content: Brian Kisida, Gary Ritter, Jennifer Gontram, J. Cameron Anglum, Heidi H. Erickson, Darnell Leatherwood, and Matthew H. Lee., “Bridging the Divid...
2025-02-0534 minThe Education Gadfly Show#954: Should America prioritize its struggling students? with Tim DalyOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Tim Daly, CEO of EdNavigator, joins Mike and David to discuss whether America should refocus its efforts on helping our lowest-performing students and explore the best ways to address this challenge. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study on how students prepare for tests and the effectiveness of their strategies.Recommended content: Tim Daly, “We’re living through an education depression,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (November 1, 2024).Michael J. Petrilli, “Get ready for more bad news from NAEP 2024” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (January 16, 2025)Robert Pondiscio, “After a “lost de...
2025-01-2930 minThe Education Gadfly Show#953: From Biden to Trump: Rank punditry, with Rick HessOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Rick Hess, the director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, joins Mike and David to discuss education reform (or the lack thereof) during former President Biden’s term and what we might expect from President Trump. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reviews a study on the implementation of college- and career-readiness policies, focusing on the alignment between career and technical education courses and industry-based certifications.Recommended content: Rick Hess, “Miguel Cardona Is America’s Worst Education Secretary,” American Enterprise Institute (October 25, 2024)Dale Chu, “Fault...
2025-01-2233 minThe Education Gadfly Show#952: Unpacking the impact of Wisconsin's Act 10 on teacher pay, with Barbara BiasiOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Barbara Biasi, assistant professor at the Yale School of Management, joins Mike and David to discuss Wisconsin’s Act 10 and its impact on teacher compensation. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber highlights a study on the underrepresentation of certain racial and socioeconomic groups in gifted education.Recommended reading: Barbara Biasi, “Wisconsin’s Act 10, Flexible Pay, and the Impact on Teacher Labor Markets,” Education Next (April 25, 2023).Shawn Johnson, “Wisconsin’s Act 10 is back in court. Here’s what to know about the controversial law.,” Wisconsin Public Radio (December 4, 2024).D...
2025-01-1532 minThe Education Gadfly Show#951: The future of federal education policy under Trump, with Alyson KleinOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Alyson Klein, assistant editor at Education Week, joins Mike and David to discuss how President Trump could weaken the U.S. Department of Education without dismantling it entirely. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study examining the impact of early math intervention on student outcomes in Kentucky.Recommended content: Alyson Klein, “How Trump Can Hobble the Education Department Without Abolishing It,” Education Week (December 12, 2024).Chester E. Finn, Jr., “Will Trump eliminate the federal role in education or weaponize it?,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (December 12, 2024).Michael J...
2025-01-0833 min
Out of the Best BooksA Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - Part 3 (Staves 4-5)Books mentioned in this epidsode:
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
The Little Prince by Antoinne de Saint-Exupery
Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva
A Christmas Carol Murder by Heather Redmond
The Life and Times of Bob Cratchit by Dixie Distler
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
The Secret Garden by Franecs Hodgson Burnett
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Letters...
2024-12-2041 minThe Education Gadfly Show#950: The best and worst of ed reform in 2024, with Checker FinnOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Checker Finn, Fordham’s president emeritus—and the original Education Gadfly—joins Mike and David to discuss the best and worst news in education reform in 2024. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares the top five research studies of the year.Recommended content: Michael J. Petrilli, “How much blame does the federal government deserve for America’s mediocre schools?,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (November 21, 2024).Michael J. Petrilli, “The end of MCAS is the end of an era. Now let’s figure out what comes next.,” Thomas B. F...
2024-12-1833 minThe Education Gadfly Show#949: Building positive school cultures, with Philip K. HowardOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Philip K. Howard, chair of Common Good and a bestselling author, joins Mike and David to discuss what it takes to create positive school environments, as outlined in his recent Hoover Institution essay, “The human authority needed for good schools.” Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares an Urban Institute report analyzing states’ demographically adjusted 2022 NAEP performance.Recommended content: Philip K. Howard, “The human authority needed for good schools,” Hoover Institution (November 19, 2024).Ashley Berner, “3 ways to increase choice and decrease polarization in U.S. schools,” Thomas B. Fordham Instit...
2024-12-1130 minThe Education Gadfly Show#948: School choice setbacks: Interpreting the referenda losses with Colleen HroncichOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Colleen Hroncich, a policy analyst with the Cato Institute’s Center for Educational Freedom, joins Mike and David to discuss why pro–school choice ballot measures failed in Kentucky, Nebraska, and Colorado—and what it means for the future. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a study examining 100 years of data on elite private and public colleges, revealing persistent gaps in socioeconomic diversity despite changes in racial and geographic representation.Recommended content: Colleen Hroncich, Neal McCluskey, “Referendum Losses Are No Mandate against School Choice,” Real Clear Educati...
2024-12-0433 minThe Education Gadfly Show#947: MCAS no more: High school in the post-exit-exam era, with Jim PeyserOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jim Peyser, former Massachusetts Secretary of Education, joins Mike and David to discuss voters’ recent decision to eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement and what it means for the future of high school. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares reports exploring the changing landscape of homeschooling in America.Recommended content:James A. Peyser, “Don’t Abandon Common High School Graduation Exams” Education Next (2024).Frederick M. Hess, “Why Did Massachusetts Just Pull the Plug on 30 Years of K–12 Success?” AEI (November 6, 2024).Angela R. Watson, Homeschool Participation: Post-Pandemic Persistence and...
2024-11-2038 minThe Education Gadfly Show#946: Is there hope for education reform after the election? with Dale ChuOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Dale Chu, a senior visiting fellow at the Fordham Institute, joins Mike and David to discuss how the election results could impact education and whether there’s reason for optimism. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study examining how geographic access to public colleges affects enrollment decisions across different races and socioeconomic groups.Recommended content: Matt Barnum, “Trump Gears Up for Assault on Wokeness With Education Overhaul,” The Wall Street Journal (November 11, 2024).Alia Wong, “A push for school choice fell short in Trump’s first term. H...
2024-11-1327 minThe Education Gadfly Show#945: What happened when Tennessee colleges dropped remedial courses, with Jill BarshayOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jill Barshay, author of The Hechinger Report’s “Proof Points” column, joins Mike and David to discuss her recent article on the surprising effects of colleges eliminating remedial courses. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study examining the impact of Washington’s academic acceleration policies on high school students.Recommended content: Jill Barshay, “A decade of data in one state shows an unexpected result when colleges drop remedial courses,” The Hechinger Report (September 23, 2024).Michael J. Petrilli, “‘Kid, I’m Sorry, but You’re Just Not College Material’ I...
2024-11-0633 minThe Education Gadfly Show#944: More equitable advanced education programs, with Brandon WrightOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Brandon Wright, Fordham’s Editorial Director and author of the latest Think Again brief, “Are Education Programs for High Achievers Inherently Inequitable?” joins Mike and David to explain why the answer to that question is “no” and why such programs are important. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study examining how individual teachers’ effectiveness shifted when instruction went from in-person to on-line during the 2020-21 school year.Recommended content: Brandon L. Wright, Think Again: Are Education Programs for High Achievers Inherently Inequitable? Thomas B. Fordham Institu...
2024-10-3034 minThe Education Gadfly Show#943: How 20,000 parents view educational opportunity in America, with Marc Porter MageeOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Marc Porter Magee, CEO and Founder of 50CAN, joins Mike and David to discuss “The State of Educational Opportunity in America," 50CAN’s new report based on a survey of over 20,000 parents from all 50 states and D.C. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a study examining how teacher strikes affect compensation, working conditions, and student achievement.Recommended content: The State of Educational Opportunity in America, 50CAN (2024). “Student enrollment is dropping. The charter sector should keep growing anyway.” —Michael J. PetrilliState of Educational Opportunity: Ohio Survey of Ohio...
2024-10-2333 minThe Education Gadfly Show#942: The case for supply-side policies in career and technical education, with David DemingOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, David Deming, a professor of Political Economy at the Harvard Kennedy School, joins Mike and David to discuss his article in The Atlantic arguing that it’s not enough for governments and the private sector to eliminate college-degree requirement for good-paying jobs. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study investigating the “fade-out effect” in early childhood education programs.Recommended content: “We need supply-side education policy” —David Deming“The vibes for career-tech programs are great. But they’re too rare.” —Michael J. Petrilli“What Kamala Harris should do on educa...
2024-10-1633 minThe Education Gadfly Show#941: Inside Denver’s education transformation, with Parker BaxterOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Parker Baxter, Director of the Center for Education Policy Analysis at the University of Colorado, joins Mike and David to discuss his new report on the impact of Denver’s education reforms. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a RAND survey on teachers’ experiences with school violence and lockdown drills.Recommended content: Parker Baxter, Anna Nicotera, David Stuit, Margot Plotz, Todd Ely, and Paul Tesk, Systemwide and Intervention-Specific Effects of Denver Public Schools’ Portfolio District Strategy on Individual Student Achievement, Thomas B. Fordham Institute (September 2024)“Denver does...
2024-10-0935 minThe Education Gadfly Show#940: Navigating accountability for education savings accounts, with Devon NirOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Devon Nir, a research assistant at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, joins Mike and David to discuss the complexities of ensuring accountability for education savings accounts. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a study exploring the financial returns of various non-degree credentials and degree programs.Recommended content: “The ‘à la carte education’ accountability conundrum”—Michael J. Petrilli and Devon Nir“Finding the sweet spot on accountability”—Dale Chu" When Only Some Kids Can Afford Summer Camp — Why We Must Close the ‘Enrichment Gap’” —Michael J. Petrilli Jason Jabbari, Yung Chun, Xueyi...
2024-10-0231 minThe Education Gadfly Show#939: What to do about underenrolled and underachieving schools? with Sofoklis GoulasOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Sofoklis Goulas, a fellow at the Brookings Institution and the Hamilton Project, joins Mike and David to discuss the Fordham report he just authored, Underachieving and Underenrolled: Chronically Low-Performing Schools in the Post-Pandemic Era. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study on the effects of Zearn Math on third through fifth grade math performance in Louisiana.Recommended content: Sofoklis Goulas, Underachieving and Underenrolled: Chronically Low-Performing Schools in the Post-Pandemic Era, Thomas B. Fordham Institute (September 2024)“The case for closing underenrolled, low-performing schools” —Michael J. Petrilli“...
2024-09-2535 minThe Education Gadfly Show#938: The disappointing results of high-dosage tutoring, with Michael GoldsteinOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Michael Goldstein, co-founder of the Math Learning Lab in Boston, joins Mike and David to discuss the track record of high-dosage tutoring in mitigating pandemic learning loss. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber shares a study on the long-term effects of the METCO program, which aims to increase diversity and reduce racial isolation by busing students from Boston to surrounding suburbs.Recommended content: Mike Goldstein and Bowen Paulle, The narrow path to do it right: Lessons from vaccine making for high-dosage tutoring, Thomas B. Fordham Institute (Mar...
2024-09-1831 minThe Education Gadfly Show#937: Is universal free lunch a good idea? with Paul BrunoOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Paul Bruno, an assistant professor of education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, joins Mike and David to discuss the pros and cons of universal free lunch. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber explores how mandating Advanced Placement course offerings and waiving AP exam fees impact student participation.Recommended content: “Should All School Meals Be Free?”—Tim Daly“Make School Lunches Great Again”—Max EdenIan Callen and Christiana Stoddard, “Putting the ‘A’ in AP: The effect of advanced placement state policies on student participation and performance,” Economics of Education...
2024-09-1133 minThe Education Gadfly Show#936: How socioeconomic factors explain achievement gaps, with Eric Hengyu Hu and Paul L. Morgan#936: How socioeconomic factors explain achievement gaps, with Eric Hengyu Hu and Paul L. MorganOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, SUNY Albany’s Eric Hengyu Hu and Paul L. Morgan, authors of Fordham’s recently released report Explaining Achievement Gaps: The Role of Socioeconomic Factors, joins Mike and David to discuss their findings. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a study of differences in grading practices between international and domestic instructors at U.S. public universities.Recommended content: Eric Hengyu Hu and Paul L. Morgan, Explaining Achieve...
2024-09-0424 minThe Education Gadfly Show#935: How the charter sector can thrive under Trump or Harris, with Starlee ColemanOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Starlee Coleman, newly named President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, joins Mike and David to discuss how the charter sector can find success with a Trump or Harris presidency. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a study of how nearby charter schools impact Catholic school enrollment.Recommended content: “How Kamala Harris can move to the center on education”— Michael J. Petrilli “What could a Vice President Vance do to advance rural and small town education?”—Aaron Churchill“Will next month’s Harris-Tru...
2024-08-2826 minThe Education Gadfly Show#934: Reducing chronic absenteeism: Building trust versus getting tough, with Kelly JamesOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Kelly James, a partner at Education First Consulting and Fordham’s 2024 Wonkathon winner, joins Mike and David to discuss how policymakers and practitioners can reduce chronic absenteeism in schools. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam reports on a study about the fiscal effects of states paying districts for the costs of students they no longer serve. Recommended content: “‘Everything, everywhere, all at once’ solutions to chronic absenteeism”—Kelly James and Brad Bernatek “To fix chronic absenteeism, we must ask why kids don’t want to go to school” —Leslie Co...
2024-08-2127 minThe Education Gadfly Show#933 The nuts and bolts of banning cellphones in schools, with Othiniel MahoneOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Othiniel Mahone, the principal at GEO Academies 21st Century School in Gary, Indiana, joins Mike and David to discuss effective strategies for implementing and enforcing an “away for the day” school cellphone policy. Then, on the Research Minute, Adam reports on a study about the impact of middle school principals on various long-term outcomes for students.Recommended content: “How to implement a cellphone ban in schools” —Amber M. Northern, Ph.D., Fordham Institute“LAUSD approves cellphone ban as Newsom calls for statewide action” —Howard Blume and Defne Karabatur, Lo...
2024-08-1426 minThe Education Gadfly Show#932: Yes, AP exams are getting easier, with Checker FinnOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Fordham’s Checker Finn joins Mike and David to discuss the changes in how the College Board is scoring Advanced Placement exams. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of robot-assisted foreign language learning.Recommended content: “Are AP exams getting easier?” —Chester E. Finn, Jr. “The Great Recalibration of AP exams” —John Moscatiello“The College Board’s new method for raising AP scores” —John MoscatielloAli Derakhshan, Timothy Teo, Esmaeel Saeedy Robat, Mostafa Janebi Enayat, and Akbar A. Jahanbakhsh, “Robot-Assisted Language Learning: A Meta-Analysis,” R...
2024-08-0721 minThe Education Gadfly Show#931: No, school closures aren’t racist, with Vlad KoganOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Vlad Kogan, a professor at Ohio State University, joins Mike and David to discuss what role race, achievement, and enrollment play in a district’s decision to close a school. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new report that investigates the staffing difficulties and potential academic effects of class size reduction policies in New York City.Recommended content: “Flawed work to close city schools will hurt Columbus for years to come. It must be fixed.” —Vlad Kogan, The Columbus Dispatch“Schools Will Have to Start Closing...
2024-07-3121 min
Movies Are ReelDiscussing the Movies of April/May 2024IT’S A MEGA STUFFED EPISODE! (because we are late because of life and stuff)
Join us as we discuss the movies of April & May
APRIL
Sasquatch Sunset- dir. David & Nathan Zellner; Riley Keough, Jesse Eisenberg, Nathan Zellner, Christophe Zajac-Denek
The First Omen- dir. Arkasha Stevenson; Nell Tiger Free, Ralph Ineson, Sonia Braga, Bill Nighy, Maria Caballero, Nicole Sorace
Dogman- dir. Luc Besson; Caleb Landry Jones, Jojo T. Gibbs, Christopher Denham, Grace Palma
Wicked Little Letters- dir. Thea Sharrock; Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Anjana Vasan, Timothy Spall, Gemma Jones, Malachi Kirby
Civil War- dir. Alex Garland; Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Maura, Ca...
2024-06-172h 01
PhillyMikeBeing proud of myselfWalking the 7 mile bike path and walking 7 miles back in the same day I've dropped 21 lb and counting since the 12th of May and I'm going to drop 13 more and be 200 by September 1st
2022-07-2501 min2022-06-1202 min2022-05-3100 minPhillyMikeMarshalls and Ross or Burlington coat factory?Marshalls and Ross lately have looked run down and half empty Burlington looks like it's thriving and it's always packed.
2022-05-2802 minPhillyMikeToday's mayhemThis is the 22nd shooting this year alone. If there's an armed veteran or an armed guard in every school this crap wouldn't be happening. Instead of avoiding it we choose to do nothing how pathetic like the president.
2022-05-2504 min2022-05-1504 minPhillyMikeNot understanding injuries if you're injured don't play don't make it worseBryce Harper's been injured for a month and he continues to play and yesterday it came out that he is a tear in his shoulder but they still have him in a lineup how is this possible?
2022-05-1302 min2022-05-1001 min2022-05-0904 min2022-05-0801 min2022-05-0700 minPhillyMikeFire Joe girardiWhen you're up 7 to 1 in the 9th inning and you lose 8 to 7 your manager should be fired.
2022-05-0602 min2022-05-0501 min2022-05-0502 min2022-05-0401 min2022-05-0402 min2022-05-0404 min2022-05-0300 minPhillyMikeLove your life on your own terms and don't take anything lightlyDon't take anyone or anything for granted especially your life live it to the fullest.
2022-05-0207 minPhillyMikeDon't block my driveway block your friends driveway that you're going to go see.Do not block my driveway block your friends driveway that you're going to go see don't be ignorant don't be a jerk off
2022-05-0201 minPhillyMikeOcean City New Jersey drinks food and fun jet skis fishing all that Eagles all thatThe best week of the year best week of Summer.
2022-05-0204 minPhillyMikeSeptember Beach House September 10th to the 17thI was going to talk about it for a few days of what we will all be doing and having a blast and then I had a phone call so I will get back to this in The Following episode
2022-05-0201 min2022-05-0208 min2022-05-0202 min2022-04-3001 minPhillyMikeLife and small businessesThe best small businesses in Ocean City New Jersey as well as some worthy worth it conversation
2022-04-2603 minPhillyMikePhillies dramaWatching my team seriously struggle because they have no heart energy or drive.
2022-04-2604 minPhillyMikeTrips Arizona and Alabama also the best small business in Arizona to support anvils cacheAmazing Arizona support and follow and Shop This Small Businesses Anvils Cache at the San tan village suite 113
2022-04-2406 min2022-04-2204 minPhillyMikeSaw a friend from my pastNew name and living life to the fullest on her own terms and I got nothing but mad respect for that.
2022-04-2101 min2022-04-2000 minPhillyMikeWorth itYou're not replaceable and these are honest things that you should hear on a daily basis.
2022-04-2000 min
The JRHEUM PodcastJanuary 2021 Editor's PicksThe Journal of Rheumatology's Editor-in-Chief Earl Silverman discusses this month's selection of articles that are most relevant to the clinical rheumatologist. This month we begin a new feature, an Editor’s spotlight. The podcast includes an interview with Dr. Natasha Gakhal about her and her team’s paper:
Improving Hydroxychloroquine Dosing and Toxicity Screening at a Tertiary Care Ambulatory Center: A Quality Improvement Initiative by Sahil Koppikar, Stephanie Gottheil, Chandra Farrer and Natasha Gakhal https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.191265
This month’s selections also include:
Tofacitinib Persistence in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study by Anat Fisher, Marie Hudson, Robert...
2021-01-2116 min2020-05-1601 min2020-05-1301 minPhillyMikeBeing mistreated at work during the virusOwnership and management treating us like we're worthless
2020-05-1301 min2020-05-1202 min