The Education Gadfly Show

It’s all ESEA all the time this week, as Andy and Mike square off in debate over the Obama Administration’s reauthorization blueprint. Then Amber tells us about charter-school teacher evaluations and Stafford wants to know is it Conn-ec-ti-cut?

This week, Mike and Rick discuss the RTTT finalists (we're a bit late, but this is a weekly show!), ED's new push for civil rights, and whether school board members should be at least well educated to sit their posts. Then Amber tells us about a new Education Trust study that might be a bit too optimistic about the effects of NCLB on achievement than it lets on and Stafford says, Don't point!

Rick and Amber are back, and what a show it is. First Rick and Mike discuss Diane Ravitch'*s new book, the Central Falls firings, and whether Governors Crist and Jindal are in a pickle. Then, Amber gives us the scoop on Boston teacher hiring, firing, and retention stats and Rate that Reform crosses the pond.

Rick relocates to snowy locales, while Andy sits in. This week, he and Mike discuss Fordham's new paper on "private public schools," Obama's announcement to tie Title I to "career-and college-ready" standards, and Tim Pawlenty's metaphorical use of the nine-iron, all while listening to Nico Petrilli (that's Mike's son) rap. (There's an app for that.) Amber's away too, so we skip to Rate that Reform, where Stafford gets exercised about Webcamgate.

This week, Mike and Rick discuss charter schools' racial and socioeconomic makeup, long-term suspensions for school fighting, and parental input into L.A.'s school turnarounds. The Research Minute is on vacation this week, so we skip straight to Rate that Reform, which considers Oregon's possible new grading model.

It's the Arne Duncan edition, as Mike and Rick discuss Duncan's new budget, new plan for NCLB, and (not so) new but so true comments on NOLA. Then Amber gives us the lowdown on the new "Hope, Fears and Reality" report and Rate that Reform stands up for dictionaries.

Mike and Rick tackle Duncan's secret RTTT panels, the impact of Obama's "spending freeze," and leadership voids in a few left-of-center ed policy shops. Then Amber explains the new OECD findings and Rate that Reform goes red.

How could those two things be related? The priceless combination of Mike's baby-caused sleep-deprived state and Rick's witty plug for his forthcoming tome, of course. All while they chew over whether the Race to the Top has been a success and the implications of Scott Brown's election as U.S. Senator. Then Amber gives us the scoop on a new evaluation of Head Start and Rate that Reform guards its private property.

This week, Rick and Stafford contemplate eleventh-hour RTT-minded legislation, the most creative ideas from AEI's and Fordham's conference on school finance, and Randi's overtures on teacher quality. Then Amber explains the new NAPCS state charter law rankings and Rate that Reform forgets English.

This week, Rick and Stafford discuss the role of social media in schools, new education leadership graduate programs, and 2010 resolutions for Arne Duncan. Then Amber tells us about new research that further debunks "learning style" theory and Rate that Reform is on paternity leave. (Not really—Mike is on paternity leave, but RTR wanted a vacation, too.)

Mike and Rick reunite to finish out the year with a bang (even though Mike's voice was a froggy whimper). This week, they discuss the tracking-detracking debate, Kevin Williamson's treatise on price transparency, and the future of Detroit. Then, Amber tells us about a new study on teacher turnover in charter schools and Rate that Reform talks pregnancy.

Mike and Rick are together again. This week, they discuss indoctrination in Minnesota ed schools, the worst education ideas of the decade, and whether David will slay the 21st Century Skills Goliath. Then Amber tells us about the new NAEP TUDA results in math and Rate that Reform locks the facilities.

This week, Mike and Stafford discuss ACORN-affiliated schools, Texas's stand against the common core standards, and the rise and fall of helicopter parents. Then Amber tells us about the affects of NCLB accountability on student achievement and Rate that Reform grades grades.

Mike and Rick are finally back in the studio together this week as they discuss Diane Ravitch's use of NAEP data to raise doubts about charters, Rick and Checker's piece on stimulus funding, and new charter changes in Massachusetts. Then Amber tells us about a new National Bureau of Economic Research evaluation of the Harlem Children's Zone and Rate that Reform bans texting while driving.

This week, Andy and Stafford discuss Denver's plan to make charter schools abide by school assignment boundaries, Maine's teacher licensure confidentiality law, and what happens when increasing the charter cap in Tennessee doesn't yield any more charters. Then Amber tells us about the latest "Leaders and Laggards" report and Rate that Reform says "Meep!"