The Education Gadfly Show

In this week’s podcast, Michelle defends Toni Morrison, Mike laughs social-emotional learning out of the room, and both consider the possibilities of the “tablet revolution.” Dara takes us all on a field trip.

Mike tries to goad an unflappable Michael Brickman into a fight on New York’s mayoral election, whether school choice is the only path to reform, and whether Arne Duncan is bullying California. Dara does the math on math teachers from TFA and Teaching Fellows.

Mike and Michelle join the WaPo in decrying the DOJ’s anti-voucher antics and debate who’s worse: private school parents or those who settle for failing schools. With Amber off saying “I do,” Dara takes over the research minute with a tale of unfair teacher-pension policies.

Can Common Core and school choice coexist? What’s the deal with Teach For America? Mike and Dara discuss what parents want, while Amber disses QRIS (and preps for the big day).

Is it all just politics in the Badger State? Have you ever heard of the Common Core? Mike and Brickman talk dairy, while Amber hashes out the latest Education Next survey results.

Mike welcomes Rick Hess back to the show by threatening to shoot him through a tube from San Francisco to Los Angeles. They chat proficiency rates, whether the Common Core is Jeb Bush’s RomneyCare, and Philly’s school-budget woes. Amber approaches non-cognitive ability in a creative new way.

After pondering the sale of the Washington Post to Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, Mike and Dara deliberate New York’s lower test scores, A-to-F school-grading systems, and whether it really is schools versus nursing homes. Amber sees a red flag in Common Core implementation.

Daniela hosts Checker and Kathleen, the Bonnie and Clyde of education reform, for a dynamic discussion of Virginia’s religious-exemption law, whether the Common Core will weather PARCC defections, and what to think about Tony Bennett. Amber gives us a double-dose of instruction on remedial math.

Mike and Dara tear themselves away from round-the-clock royal baby coverage to bring you commentary on ESEA renewal, the cost of PARCC’s tests, and special-education vouchers. Amber throws down OECD statistics.

Tanned and refreshed, Mike’s back in the saddle, this time joined by Fordham media relations and outreach manager Michelle Gininger to talk Common Core tests, Wisconsin’s Act 10, and school accountability in the Sunshine State. Amber digs into the statistics on child well-being.

Dara and Daniela—covering for Mike “Never-Returning-from-the-Beach-Because-These-Fruity-Drinks-Are-Too-Good” Petrilli—throw down on NYC’s transfer high schools, California’s potential NGSS adoption, and MOOCs in K–12 education. Amber is upbeat about early-college high schools.

Terry livens up the airwaves, bantering with Mike about NCTQ’s blockbuster report, the Blaine Amendment, and Philly’s budget woes. Amber waltzes through the dance of the lemons.

With Mike beaching it in an undisclosed location, Dara and Daniela take on some big topics: If affirmative action were to end, how could colleges maintain diversity? Do teachers need convincing to use technology? All things considered, is college worth it? Amber charts a course to charter quality.

Mike and Kathleen catch the whistleblower spirit, giving the goods on NGSS, sparring over ability grouping, and decrying the latest Common Core distraction. Amber goes easy on Ed Sector.

Mike and Dara discuss NCLB reauthorization, NYC’s teacher evaluations, and the relationship between poverty and educational outcomes. Amber revels in the glory of having finally gotten Fordham’s epic pensions out the door.