Shows
The Education Gadfly ShowThe collapse of graduation standards | Episode 992 of The Education Gadfly ShowThis week, Fordham’s President Emeritus Checker Finn joins the show to unpack a troubling trend—the collapse of graduation standards—and why it matters for every American student.Then, on David Griffith’s first Research Minute, a new study looks at the demographics of college applicants interested in teaching in America—and explores why some who enter similar “helping professions,” like nursing and social work, steer clear of the classroom.Recommended content: High school graduation standards have collapsed. Does it matter? —Michael J. Petrilli, SchooledAre high school graduation standards too low? —Michael J. Petrilli...
2025-10-2931 minThe Education Gadfly ShowRedesigning school staffing for student success | Episode 991 of The Education Gadfly ShowThis week, we’re joined by Bryan Hassel, co-president of Public Impact, to discuss how redesigning school staffing—through models like Opportunity Culture—can boost both teacher retention and student success.Then, on Adam Tyner’s final Research Minute, he shares a study on how ending compulsory religious education in German schools shaped students later in life—making them less religious, but more likely to work and earn higher incomes as adults.Recommended content: Opportunity Culture —Public ImpactThink Again: Do the returns to teacher experience fizzle out? —Anne Podolsky and Linda Darling-Hammond for the Thomas...
2025-10-2236 minThe Education Gadfly ShowTFA, Gen-Z, and AI | Episode 989 of The Education Gadfly ShowThis week, Aneesh Sohoni, CEO of Teach for America, joins The Education Gadfly Show to discuss TFA’s impact in the classroom and beyond, why teaching is a compelling opportunity for Gen Z college graduates, what corps members are saying about AI in the classroom. Then, on a special Research Minute, Adam Tyner shares findings from Who’s on Board? School Boards and Political Representation in an Age of Conflict, Fordham’s brand new report by David Houston and Michael Hartney surveying school board members across the country.Recommended content: Could an AI-drive...
2025-10-0834 minThe Education Gadfly ShowBeyond test scores: Debating how to measure school quality | Episode 988 of The Education Gadfly ShowThis week, Fordham’s president emeritus Checker Finn and Laura Hamilton of the Center for Assessment join us for a polite debate on whether school quality should be judged by more than test scores.On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner unpacks a massive study of ten million students that tracks how gender gaps in math and reading develop from kindergarten through fifth grade—and what that means for the narrative about boys and school.Recommended contentThe mixed blessing of new school measures —Chester E. Finn, Jr., Thomas B. FordhamOur assessment systems should...
2025-10-0132 minThe Education Gadfly ShowJoyful classrooms, but zero public transparency: Inside an ESA micro-school | Episode 987 of The Education Gadfly ShowThis week, Chandler Fritz, author of Harper’s Magazine’s cover story The Homemade Scholar, shares what he discovered when teaching in an ESA-funded micro-school—including a lackluster curriculum but undeniably joyful kids.On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner unpacks California’s big school-spending surge—showing that despite major funding increases, starting teacher pay hasn’t risen and staffing levels have barely changed.Recommended contentThe Homemade Scholar —Chandler Fritz, Harper’s MagazineThe “à la carte education” accountability conundrum —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteStudent experience data is sending a message. Will we listen? —Dr. Deborah...
2025-09-2439 minThe Education Gadfly ShowOn the negative NAEP news, and the real reason screen time is hurting student learning | Episode 986 of The Education Gadfly ShowThis week, Mike Petrilli digs into the latest NAEP results—and explores whether the rise of smartphones and social media might help explain them. It’s another solo episode, just Mike and the mic.On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner shares a new REACH study showing that school voucher programs have boosted private school enrollment by just 3 percent so far—but are already putting upward pressure on tuition.Recommended contentThe Best Takes on the Worst NAEP Scores Ever —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLEDSchools, but not states, should ban phones —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLEDCe...
2025-09-1731 minThe Education Gadfly ShowShould all state-funded schools take state standardized tests? | Episode 982 of The Education Gadfly ShowOn this week’s solo episode, Mike shares his thoughts on whether it’s ever okay to let schools opt out of state standardized tests and use nationally normed assessments instead. Then, on a special Research Minute, Fordham’s own Adam Tyner and David Griffith share results from their brand new report about the pressure on teachers to give higher grades in the name of equity. Recommended content: Welcome to Lake Wobegon, Oklahoma —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWhen private schools take public dollars: What's the place of accounta...
2025-08-2033 minThe Education Gadfly ShowEducation policy and climate change | Episode 981 of The Education Gadfly ShowThis week, Matthew Kraft, professor of education and economics at Brown University, joins The Education Gadfly Show to discuss the intersection of education policy and climate change.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam Tyner examines whether an elite “exam school” led to better educational outcomes for its students.Recommended content: On education and climate changeEducation and climate change: Synthesizing the evidence to guide future research —Matthew Kraft, Sohil Malik, and Grace Falken, Anneberg Institute EdWorkingPaper (2025)Does spending on school facilities raise student test scores? —Amber M. Northern, Ph.D., Thomas B...
2025-08-1341 minThe Education Gadfly Show#980: Can education reform help Democrats win again? with Ben AustinOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show, Ben Austin, Founding Director of Education Civil Rights Now, joins us to discuss why the Democratic Party lost its way on education policy—and what it must do to rebuild credibility and improve its chances in national elections.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam shares a new study on state takeovers of school districts, examining who benefits and how these interventions impact district finances.Recommended content: “Democrats have lost their way on education policy. Here’s how to get back on track.” —Ben Austin, The Hill“Democrat...
2025-08-0632 minThe 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#977: New law, new questions for school choice, with Brian JodiceOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show, Brian Jodice, National Press Secretary for the American Federation for Children joins us for a lively debate on the federal school choice provision embedded in the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill”—including its potential impact in blue states.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam reviews a new Education Next study showing that a low-cost college-planning course can boost success for high-achieving, low-income students.Recommended content: “Democrats’ School Choice Dilemma” —Michael J. Petrilli, for The Wall Street Journal“Federal school choice skeptics are tilting at windmills” —Shaka M...
2025-07-1635 minThe Education Gadfly Show#976: A new hub for smarter education policy, with Doug Harris On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Doug Harris, director of the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice (REACH), joins us to discuss a new website aimed at advancing evidence-based education policy and supporting more effective decision-making in schools.Then, on the Research Minute, Meredith Coffey examines new data from Massachusetts that reveal lasting post-pandemic shifts in school enrollment, particularly in the middle grades and in higher-income districts.Recommended content: “AEFP Live Handbook of Education Policy Research” —Association for Education Finance & Policy (AEFP)“School Enrollment S...
2025-07-0939 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#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#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#958: Louisiana’s NAEP gains and the power of a strong curriculum, with John WhiteOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, John White, former Louisiana superintendent of education and current CEO of Great Minds PBC, joins David and Amber to discuss the reforms he led in Louisiana and their role in the state’s significant NAEP gains. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber highlights a study on the expansion of “transitional kindergarten” in Michigan and its impact on early learning access and socioeconomic gaps.Recommended content: Kevin Mahnken, “New NAEP Scores Dash Hope of Post-COVID Learning Recovery,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (January 29, 2025).Emily Freitag, “A bold state move to improve...
2025-02-2635 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#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#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 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#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#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#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#930: What Vance and Harris mean for federal education policy, 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 Biden passing the torch and Trump picking J.D. Vance could affect U.S. school policy. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study that compares the academic impacts of urban versus suburban charter schools.Recommended content: “Vance vs. Pence: How Trump’s VP picks compare on education” —Dale Chu, Fordham Institute“The Democratic replacement candidates on education” —Daniel Buck, Fordham InstituteSarah Cohodes and Astrid Pineda, “Diverse paths to college su...
2024-07-2425 minThe Education Gadfly Show#928: Why the pandemic toddlers are struggling in school, with Kristen HuffOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Kristen Huff, the vice president of assessment and research at Curriculum Associates, joins Mike and David to discuss the academic performance our youngest students in the wake of the pandemic. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study investigating the demographic effects of test-optional policies at selective universities.Recommended content: “The Youngest Pandemic Children Are Now in School, and Struggling” —New York TimesEthan Young and Kelsey Young, “Student growth in the post-COVID era,” Curriculum Associates (June 2024). “The Democratic replacement candidates on education” —Daniel Buck, Fordham InstituteAda...
2024-07-1027 minThe Education Gadfly Show#925: We need more curriculum oversight, with Robert PondiscioOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at Fordham and the American Enterprise Institute, joins Mike and David to discuss the lack of curriculum oversight in American schools. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study of whether aspiring teachers’ professional references predict their later performance.Recommended content: “How public schools became ideological boot camps” —Robert Pondiscio, The Free Press“Taking curriculum implementation seriously” —Robert Pondiscio, Fordham InstituteDan Goldhaber, Cyrus Grout, and Malcolm Wolff, “How well do professional reference ratings predict teacher performance?” Education Finance and Policy (March 2024).
2024-06-1924 minThe Education Gadfly Show#923: Debating school funding inequities, with Alex SpurrierOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Alex Spurrier, an associate partner at Bellwether, joins Mike and David to discuss whether schools in low-income neighborhoods receive less funding than their affluent counterparts. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study investigating state finance reforms that secure lasting budget increases for districts.Recommended content: Alex Spurrier, Bonnie O’Keefe, and Biko McMillan, “Leveling the landscape: An analysis of K–12 funding inequities within metro areas,” Bellwether (May 2024). "Low- and high-income schools now receive equal funding” —Adam Tyner, Fordham Institute“Doing educational equity right: School finance” —M...
2024-06-0529 minThe Education Gadfly Show#921: Rethinking reading comprehension instruction, with Daniel BuckOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Daniel Buck, Fordham’s policy and editorial associate, joins Mike and David to discuss whether and how elementary schools should teach reading comprehension. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study investigating the short- and long-term impacts of school closures in the 1990s.Recommended content: Daniel Buck, “Think again: Should elementary schools teach reading comprehension?” Fordham Institute (May 2024). "At long last, E.D. Hirsch, Jr. gets his due: New research shows big benefits from Core Knowledge” —Robert Pondiscio, Fordham Institute“We need to prepare now for the scho...
2024-05-2226 minThe Education Gadfly Show#919: Why we should teach the history of human progress, with Marian TupyOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Marian Tupy, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute and the founder and editor of HumanProgress.org, joins Mike and David to discuss the incredible progress that humanity has made over millennia, and what schools might do to better teach kids that our past, present, and future is not all doom and gloom. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study investigating if education savings accounts increase tuition costs at private schools.Recommended content: Ten global trends every smart person should know: And many oth...
2024-05-0829 minThe Education Gadfly Show#918: The broken pipeline of advanced education, with Adam TynerOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Adam Tyner, Fordham’s national research director, joins Mike and David to discuss his latest study on advanced education policies across the country. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines new research on how the decentralization of teacher accountability under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act affected student achievement.Recommended content: The broken pipeline: Advanced education policies at the local level —Adam Tyner, Fordham InstituteBuilding a Wider, More Diverse Pipeline of Advanced Learners —The National Working Group on Advanced Education, Fordham Institute“Teacher evaluation reform was very succes...
2024-05-0129 minThe Education Gadfly Show#916: The case for curriculum reform, with Robert PondiscioOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at Fordham and the American Enterprise Institute, joins Mike and David to discuss the state of curricular reform. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines new data from the Institute of Education Sciences’ Condition of Education Report.Recommended content: “40 years after ‘A nation at risk,’ could curriculum reform finally move the needle on academic improvement?” —Robert Pondiscio, The 74“The ‘case for curriculum’ is about reducing teachers’ workload” —Robert Pondiscio, Fordham InstituteVéronique Irwin et. al., “Report on the Condition of Education 2023,” National Center for Education St...
2024-04-1727 minThe Education Gadfly Show#912: Predicting charter school success, with Adam Kho and Alex QuigleyOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Adam Kho, an assistant professor at the Rossier School of Education, and Alex Quigley, the executive director of the Durham Charter School, join Mike and David to discuss whether charter authorizers can determine the quality of prospective charter schools. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a new study examining the effects of including parental preferences in algorithms that assign students to schools in New York City.Recommended content: “Do authorizer evaluations predict the success of new charter schools?” —Adam Kho, Shelby Leigh Smith, and Douglas L...
2024-03-2025 minThe Education Gadfly Show#911: The flaws in school funding formulas, with Rebecca SibiliaOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Rebecca Sibilia, the executive director of EdFund, joins Mike and David to debate whether we’ve fixed school funding in America. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a new study examining the effects of school shootings on survivors’ test scores, attendance, and long-term health.Recommended content: "School finance data 'sucks.' Rebecca Sibilia's new org is offering $ to fix it" —Greg Toppo, The 74“Think Again: Is education funding in America still unequal?” —Adam Tyner, Fordham Institute“The policies promoting school shootings” —Max Eden, Fordham InstituteEdFund Websi...
2024-03-1326 minThe Education Gadfly Show#910: Reforming Houston ISD, with Mike MilesOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Mike Miles, the superintendent of Houston ISD, joins Mike and David to discuss the reforms he’s implementing in the Lone Star State’s largest district. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study of how increased learning time affects reading and math achievement.Recommended content: “Back to the future: Houston takes a page from ed reform’s recent past” —Dale Chu, Fordham Institute“Texas’s controversial takeover of Houston’s schools” —Daniel Buck, Fordham InstituteMatthew Kraft and Sarah Novicoff, “Time in School: A Conceptual Framework, Synth...
2024-03-0627 minThe Education Gadfly Show#909: Rethinking “equitable” grading, with Adam Tyner and Meredith CoffeyOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Adam Tyner and Meredith Coffey, the national research director and a senior research associate at the Fordham Institute, join Mike and David to discuss their new Think Again report on whether “equitable” grading benefits students. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study investigating how extreme temperatures affect student performance on standardized tests.Recommended content: “Think Again: Does ‘equitable’ grading benefit students?” —Adam Tyner and Meredith Coffey, Fordham Institute“Traditional grading may not be as straightforward as it seems” —Rick Hess and Joe Feldman, Education Week"A ‘no ze...
2024-02-2825 minThe Education Gadfly Show#908: The looming expiration of Covid relief funds, with Chad AldisOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Chad Aldis, Fordham’s Vice President of Ohio Policy, joins Mike and David to discuss the impending cessation of federal ESSER funds. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a new study investigating the competitive effects of charter schools on traditional public schools in Florida.Recommended content: “ESSER’s sunset: Not a cut, but a return to normalcy” —Chad Aldis, Fordham Institute“The fiscal cliff and teacher layoffs” —Chad Aldeman, Fordham Institute“Federal pandemic funds should not disappear just when we need them most” —Hamlet Michael Hernandez, Hechin...
2024-02-2125 minThe Education Gadfly Show#901: Charter schools just keep winning, with Debbie VeneyOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Debbie Veney, a senior vice president at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, joins Mike to discuss the growth in the charter sector since 2019. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reviews a new study investigating the effects of mock instruction and coaching on pre-service teacher performance.Recommended content:“Believing in public education: A demographic and state-level analysis of public charter school and district public school enrollment trends” —Drew Jacobs and Debbie Veney, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools“Which large school districts provide fertile terrain for charte...
2024-01-0322 minThe Education Gadfly Show#900: The best and worst of ed reform in 2023, 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 developments in education reform in 2023. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reviews the best education research of the year.Recommended content:“Standards-based reform | A Nation At Risk +40” —Michael Petrilli, Hoover Institution“What would another Trump term mean for education?” —Chester E. Finn, Jr., Fordham InstitutePreeya Mbekeani, John Papay, Ann Mantil, and Richard J. Murnane, “Understanding High Schools’ Effects on Longer-Term Outcomes,” Annenberg Institute at Brown University (February 2023...
2023-12-2029 minThe Education Gadfly Show#898: How much competition public schools face, with Jeanette LunaOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Jeanette Luna, a production and research associate at the Fordham Institute, joins Mike to discuss the competitive pressures facing America’s largest school districts. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a new study investigating whether post-Covid grade inflation has begun to recede.Recommended content:“The education competition index: Quantifying competitive pressure in America’s 125 largest school districts” —David Griffith and Jeanette Luna, The Fordham Institute“School choice isn’t killing traditional public schools. It’s making them better.” —Michael Petrilli, The Fordham InstituteDan Goldhaber and Maia Goodman Young...
2023-12-0625 minThe Education Gadfly Show#893: When to hold kids back, with Umut Özek and Louis MarianoOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Umut Özek and Louis Mariano, researchers at the Rand Corporation, join Mike to discuss whether grade retention helps or harms students. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a new study that examines if cash payouts can improve student attendance.Recommended content:“Think Again: Is grade retention bad for Kids?” — Umut Özek and Louis Mariano, The Thomas B. Fordham Institute “Retaining struggling readers in third grade sounds good–but it’s too little, too late, too often” —Kalman R. Hettleman, The Thomas B. Fordham InstituteDamien de Walque and Christi...
2023-10-2527 minThe Education Gadfly Show#892: A solution to teacher shortages, with Kirsten BaeslerOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Kirsten Baesler, the superintendent of North Dakota, joins Mike to discuss her state’s new teacher and principal apprenticeship programs. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber reports on a study that examines the accuracy and efficacy of school rating systems.Recommended content:“North Dakota to launch principal apprenticeship program” —The Bismarck Tribune“An overview of Ohio’s new teacher apprenticeship program” —Jessica Poiner, The Fordham Institute“Why states should use student growth, and not proficiency rates, when gauging school effectiveness” —Michael Petrilli and Aaron Churchill, The Fordham InstituteErica H...
2023-10-1827 minThe Education Gadfly Show#869: Strong long-term outcomes for English learners in Texas charter schools, with Deven CarlsonOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Deven Carlson of Oklahoma University joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss his new Fordham study on the outcomes of English learners who attend charter schools in Texas. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber discusses the prevalence of stackable credentials in Ohio and Colorado.Recommended content:Fordham’s new report: “Charter Schools and English Learners in the Lone Star State” —Deven Carlson and David Griffith“Thousands of families opt to join Texas’ growing charter school system” —Spectrum News 1 [South Texas]“San Antonio charter schools lifted student achievement...
2023-05-1027 minThe Education Gadfly ShowEducation Gadfly Show #852: New Year’s resolutions for America’s schools, with Robert PondiscioOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith talk with Robert Pondiscio of the American Enterprise Institute about what schools should resolve to do better—and resolve to do less of—in 2023. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber tells us about the effect of school-based telemedicine clinics on student outcomes.Recommended content:“Artificial intelligence is not the end of high-school English” —Robert PondiscioSold a Story —American Public MediaThe State of State Standards for Civics and U.S. History in 2021 —Thomas B. Fordham InstituteThe study that Amber reviewed on the Research Minute...
2023-01-1128 minThe Education Gadfly ShowEducation Gadfly Show #844: An ode to overly-optimistic teachers, with Seth GershensonOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith are joined by Seth Gershenson—professor at the Department of Public Administration and Policy at American University and the author of Fordham’s new report, High Expectations in District and Charter Schools—to discuss its findings and why high teacher expectations translate into better outcomes for kids. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews a study that examines teachers’ contributions to school climate and how it varies by student race and ethnicity. Recommended content: · Fordham’s new study by Seth Gershenson: “H...
2022-11-0124 minThe Education Gadfly Show#842: Industry-recognized credentials aren’t living up to their potentialOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Quentin Suffren, Senior Advisor of Innovation Policy for ExcelinEd, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss industry-recognized credentials and why their impact has been muted so far. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews a study that examines how college graduates’ earnings are influenced by the performance of their schools’ football teams. Recommended content: · Quentin’s recent Fordham article: “Credentials matter, but pathways matter more,” September 2022, which summarized the findings from “Credentials Matter,” a website created by ExcelinEd and Burning Glass Technologies.· Our report on...
2022-10-1818 minThe Education Gadfly Show#839: Do “for-profit” charter schools deserve their bad reputation?On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith are joined by Stéphane Lavertu and Long Tran, both professors at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at the Ohio State University and the authors of Fordham’s new report, For-Profit Charter Schools: An evaluation of their spending and outcomes. They discuss findings from their new study and broader issues of so-called “for-profit” charter schools. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews an ambitious study that examines closure and restructuring rates in district, charter, and private schools nationwide. Recommended...
2022-09-2824 minThe Education Gadfly Show#834: Whether industry-recognized credentials benefit high schoolersOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith are joined by Matt Giani, a professor and researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, and the author of Fordham’s new report, How Attaining Industry-Recognized Credentials in High School Shapes Education and Employment Outcomes. They discuss some takeaways of the first-of-its-kind study. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews a paper examining whether schools where students make rapid academic progress in grades 3–5 also help their students do so in grades K–2. Recommended content: · Fordham’s new study: Matt Giani, “How...
2022-08-2429 min
The Education Gadfly Show#827: The debate over “no zeroes” grading policiesOn this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Daniel Buck, a teacher and a Fordham senior visiting fellow, joins Mike Petrilli to discuss “no zeroes” grading policies and why he thinks they’re the worst of all worlds. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews a study on how high-stakes testing affects teacher turnover and the distribution of teachers across grades and schools.Recommended content:•Daniel Buck’s first Fordham post arguing against these policies, which launched a subsequent debate: “A ‘no zeroes’ grading policy is the worst of all worlds,” June 16, 2022. •Douglas Reeves’s response to Buck: “Revi...
2022-07-0621 minThe Education Gadfly Show#820: Social-emotional learning doesn’t have a hidden agenda - 5/18/22On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Robert Pondiscio, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and senior visiting fellow here at Fordham, discusses his wariness about social-emotional learning but rebuts the claim that it’s a “Trojan horse” for critical race theory. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews a study on how well teachers understand their pension plans.Recommended content:Robert’s piece on SEL: “No, social and emotional learning is not a “Trojan horse” for CRT.”Nathanial Grossman’s piece: “Schools have no choice but to teach social and emotional skills.”...
2022-05-1821 minThe Education Gadfly Show#809: Diversity, the law, and the future of selective-admission schools - 3/2/22On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast (listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify), Fordham’s editorial director, Brandon Wright, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about the shifting landscape of highly-selective high schools. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern discusses a study on teacher morale during the pandemic. You can find this and every episode on all major podcast platforms, as well as share it with friends.Recommended content:Brandon’s piece from 2021, which discusses Boston’s exam school policies: “Boston is punishing its Asian American community for its educati...
2022-03-0226 minThe Education Gadfly Show#798: Which metro areas are accelerating student learning? - 12/08/21On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Adam Tyner, Fordham’s Associate Director of Research, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss our new analysis, America’s Best and Worst Metro Areas for School Quality, some of which may surprise you. And on the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the effectiveness of efforts to diversify the teacher workforce.Recommended content:Fordham’s new report at metro.fordhaminstitute.org.More of our work on metro areas:What You Make Depends on Where You Live: College Earnings Across States and Metropolitan Areas.How Aligned is Caree...
2021-12-0826 minThe Education Gadfly Show#795: Why we should test in K–2 - 11/10/21On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, Dale Chu, senior visiting fellow at Fordham and independent education consultant, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to make the case for K–2 standardized testing. He wrote about this same topic earlier this month, noting that widespread distaste for such assessments would make implementing this change challenging. But he argued that the alternative is to continue burying our heads in the sand about our children’s most formative years, which would be unfair to students and teachers. Then on the Research Minute, Amber Northern discusses a CALDER study examining the effects of rem...
2021-11-1023 minThe Education Gadfly Show#791: Is this the end of gifted education in New York City? - 10/13/21On this week’s podcast, Brandon Wright, Fordham’s editorial director and coauthor of Failing Our Brightest Kids, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent move to overhaul gifted education in New York City. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the distribution of school resources in America, and what it means for disadvantaged students.Amber's Research MinuteKenneth Shores and Hojung Lee, "The Distribution of School Resources in The United States: A Comparative Analysis Across Levels of Governance, Student Sub-groups, And Educational Resources," Social Science Resear...
2021-10-1431 minThe Education Gadfly Show#789: Too many lost Einsteins - 9/30/21 On this week’s podcast, Scott Imberman, professor at Michigan State University, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the new study he conducted for Fordham exploring the inequitable outcomes for early high achievers in Ohio. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how admission to a high-quality charter school affects students’ voting patterns later in life.
2021-09-3026 minThe Education Gadfly Show#783: One teacher’s call for choice and content-rich curricula - 08/19/21On this week’s podcast, Daniel Buck, a teacher and Fordham’s newest senior visiting fellow, joins Amber Northern and Brandon Wright to discuss the importance of a strong curriculum, the inherent value in school choice, why he teaches, and more. On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner examines the connection between college applicants’ essay topics and their household incomes and SAT scores.
2021-08-1925 minThe Education Gadfly Show#782: Whatever you do, don’t call it social and emotional learning - 08/12/21On this week’s podcast, Adam Tyner and David Griffith discuss the Fordham report Adam just authored on parental attitudes toward and the politics of social and emotional learning. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how school-based mentoring affects academic success and post-secondary attainment.
2021-08-1225 minThe Education Gadfly Show#777: O-H-I-O: School reform victories in the Buckeye State - 07/08/21On this week’s podcast, Chad Aldis, Fordham’s vice president for Ohio policy, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the big ed reform victories this past legislative session on private school choice, charter schools, and accountability. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how parents use education savings accounts.
2021-07-0828 minThe Education Gadfly Show#775: The State of State Standards for Civics and U.S. History - 06/23/21On this week’s podcast, Jeremy Stern, coauthor of Fordham's new report, The State of State Standards for Civics and U.S. History in 2021, joins Mike Petrilli, David Griffith, and Checker Finn to discuss what the analysis found.
2021-06-2320 minThe Education Gadfly ShowHow to get high-dosage tutoring right - 03/17/2021On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith are joined by Michael Goldstein, founder of Match Education in Boston, and Bowen Paulle, a faculty member at the University of Amsterdam, to discuss the new Fordham paper they co-authored, The narrow path to do it right: Lessons from vaccine making for high-dosage tutoring. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines a recent and rapid rise in private tutoring centers.
2021-03-1729 minThe Education Gadfly ShowHard evidence on charter schools and district finances - 02/10/21On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith are joined by Mark Weber, a special analyst for education policy at the New Jersey Policy Perspective, to discuss the new report he authored for Fordham, Robbers or Victims? Charter Schools and District Finances. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines a poll of parents’ opinions on Covid-19 and their children’s’ schooling.
2021-02-1028 minThe Education Gadfly ShowEmily Oster and Noelle Ellerson Ng answer the big question: Will schools reopen this spring? - 12/16/20On this week’s podcast, Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate executive director at AASA, the School Superintendents Association, and Emily Oster, Professor of Economics at Brown University, join Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss whether the vaccines will allow schools to reopen nationwide this school year. On the Research Minute, Matthew Steinberg discusses the study he and Haisheng Yang just conducted for Fordham on teacher effectiveness and improvement in charter and traditional public schools.
2020-12-1631 min
The Education Gadfly ShowThe loathsome war on exam schools - 10/21/20On this week’s podcast, Fordham’s Checker Finn joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the growing, misguided war on selective-admissions high schools. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how community college credentials affect graduates over time.
2020-10-2124 min
The Education Gadfly ShowReading comprehension is not a skill, and other lessons from Fordham’s latest study - 10/07/20On this week’s podcast, Fordham’s Adam Tyner joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the new study that he coauthored, “Social Studies Instruction and Reading Comprehension: Evidence from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study.” On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the effects of merit aid for low-income college students.
2020-10-0727 min
The Education Gadfly ShowHow America’s best charter schools crushed the Covid-19 challenge - 08/26/20On this week’s podcast, Gregg Vanourek joins Mike Petrilli to discuss Fordham’s new report that Gregg authored, Schooling Covid-19: Lessons from leading charter networks from their transition to remote learning. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the firmly established benefits of acceleration for gifted children.
2020-08-2628 min
The Education Gadfly ShowHow assessment data can drive instruction this fall - 07/01/20On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli, Amber Northern, Tran Le, and David Griffith discuss Fordham’s new case study on data-driven instruction in Washington, D.C. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines little interruptions’ big effect on classroom learning.
2020-07-0128 min
The Education Gadfly ShowThe link between location and income - 05/27/20This week’s podcast guest is John V. Winters, Ph.D., associate professor of economics at Iowa State University and author of Fordham’s new report, What You Make Depends on Where You Live. He joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the report’s findings and implications. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines educators’ strong record in detecting and reporting child mistreatment, and how training and support could help them be even more effective.
2020-05-2726 min
The Education Gadfly ShowWhy teachers with higher grading standards get better student outcomes - 02/12/20On this week’s podcast, Seth Gershenson, associate professor at American University, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the Fordham study he authored this month, Great Expectations: The Impact of Rigorous Grading Practices on Student Achievement. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how gender affects the ability of college students to receive favorable grade changes.
2020-02-1224 min
The Education Gadfly ShowOn online curriculum materials - 12/11/19On this week’s podcast, Morgan Polikoff, associate professor of education at USC, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about Fordham’s new report that he coauthored, The Supplemental Curriculum Bazaar. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern discusses a study on ways to sustain effective teacher evaluation.
2019-12-1127 min
The Education Gadfly ShowCharter schools lift all boats - 10/02/19On this week’s podcast, Nina Rees, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Public Charter School, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about David’s new Fordham study of how charter market share affects student achievement for kids in both charter and district schools. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how the geographic isolation of K–12 schools affects education policies.
2019-10-0220 min
The Education Gadfly ShowBoosting student outcomes with end-of-course exams - 08/28/19On this week’s podcast Mike Petrilli and David Griffith talk to Adam Tyner about the new Fordham report he co-authored with Matthew Larsen on end-of-course exams and student outcomes. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines efforts to improve the college application process.
2019-08-2826 min
The Education Gadfly ShowIs it time to reform discipline reform? - 07/31/19On this week’s podcast Mike Petrilli speaks with David Griffith and Adam Tyner about school discipline reform in America, and their new Fordham study of educators’ views on the issue.
2019-08-0115 min
The Education Gadfly ShowOne small step for man, one giant leap for our schools? - 07/17/19On this week’s podcast, Fordham’s own Checker Finn joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss, during the week of Apollo 11’s fiftieth anniversary, how the moon landing related to American education. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how restorative justice affects racial disproportionality in school discipline.
2019-07-1722 min
The Education Gadfly ShowThe benefits of having a same-race teacher - 06/05/19On this week's podcast, Seth Gershenson, an associate professor at American University and author of Fordham's latest study, Student-Teacher Race Match in Charter and Traditional Public Schools, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss that research. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how the actions of turnaround schools affect teacher mobility.
2019-06-0520 min
The Education Gadfly ShowCTE and local labor markets - 04/03/19On this week’s podcast, Cameron Sublett, associate professor of education at Pepperdine University, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the findings of Fordham’s newest report, How Aligned is Career and Technical Education to Local Labor Markets?, that he and Griffith coauthored. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how the New Leaders' Aspiring Principals Program prepares school leaders for success.
2019-04-0328 min
The Education Gadfly ShowThe sad state of credit recovery - 12/05/18On this week’s podcast, Samantha Viano, Assistant Professor of Education at George Mason University, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss Fordham’s new study of credit recovery programs, and her own work on the subject. On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner examines how high school start times affect student outcomes.
2018-12-0517 min
The Education Gadfly ShowThe consequences of grade inflation - 10/03/18On this week’s podcast, Seth Gershenson, associate professor at American University, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the Fordham study he recently authored on high school grade inflation. On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner examines the impact of principal effectiveness on teacher turnover.
2018-10-0318 min
The Education Gadfly ShowHow good are states’ English language arts standards? - 08/22/18On this week's podcast, literacy expert Tim Shanahan joins Robert Pondiscio and David Griffith to discuss his review of states’ English language arts standards for Fordham’s new report, “The State of State Standards Post-Common Core.” On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the results of the 2018 Education Next poll.
2018-08-2225 min
The Education Gadfly ShowAll about ed tech - 08/08/18On this week’s podcast, Gisèle Huff, executive director of the Jaquelin Hume Foundation, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the use of technology in education. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern covers Fordham’s recent study on reading and writing instruction in America's schools.
2018-08-0825 min
The Education Gadfly ShowO-H-I-No - 04/25/18On this week's podcast, Paolo DeMaria, Ohio's State Superintendent of Public Instruction, joins Mike Petrilli and Brandon Wright to discuss the state’s new strategic plan for education, which Fordham’s gadflies find disappointing. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the access, perseverance, and outcomes of first-generation college students.
2018-04-2523 min
The Education Gadfly ShowIs America still a nation at risk? - 04/11/18On this week's podcast, Bruno Manno, Senior Advisor to the Walton Family Foundation’s K–12 Education Reform Initiative and a Trustee Emeritus at Fordham, joins Mike Petrilli and Checker Finn to discuss this week’s NAEP results in the context of the thirty-fifth anniversary of A Nation at Risk. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how accountability metrics related to student subgroups affect teacher turnover and attrition.
2018-04-1121 min
The Education Gadfly ShowA conversation with 2018’s Wisest Wonks - 03/21/18On this week’s podcast, Jessica Shopoff and Chase Eskelsen, employees of K12, Inc. and winners of Fordham’s 2018 Wonkathon, join Mike Petrilli and Alyssa Schwenk to discuss their ideas for reimagining American high school. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines race and gender biases in online higher education.
2018-03-2019 min