The Education Gadfly Show Podcast
No Al Pacino for Amber
with Michael J. Petrilli & Janie Scull / January 6, 2011
In This Edition
Big Brother watches as Mike and Janie dive into budget holes and talk campaign contributions. Amber is more interested in the difference between choice and options, while Chris just wants to steal Mike?s lines.blog comments powered by Disqus
About the Podcast
Each week, you’ll get three titillating and occasionally sophomoric 90-second debates on recent education news, featuring Fordham’s Mike Petrilli, with questions read by Pamela Tatz or whoever's around the office at the time when we record the podcast. Then, the wise Amber Winkler will take only a minute–literally–to enlighten us on a recent research study.
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The World is Phat
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / April 4, 2013
Mike and Kathleen bust some podcast moves, taking on Thomas Friedman over “innovation education,” revamped teacher-evaluation systems whose results look suspiciously last season, and ...
The All-Girl Edition
Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D., Kathleen Porter-Magee / March 21, 2013
Dara and Kathleen put on their thinking caps to discuss Common Core implementation, ability grouping, and pre-K absenteeism. Amber joins in for some March ...
White smoke over Fordham
Michael J. Petrilli, Daniela Fairchild / March 14, 2013
Wondering what Congress should be doing about pre-K, why Boston has switched to a new school-assignment system, or why an Alabama judge doesn’t seem ...
The Letdown Edition
Michael J. Petrilli, Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D. / March 7, 2013
Mike and Dara talk about Louisiana’s ed-reform disappointment, anticipate the effect of big money in L.A. (or not), and plan for the Snowquester that ...
Advanced Placement Podcasting
Andy Smarick, Kathleen Porter-Magee / February 28, 2013
Andy Smarick and Kathleen Porter-Magee rock this week’s podcast. Find out why AP Calculus has such high pass rates, why being overwhelmed with choices ...
Gifted students and not-so-gifted lawmaking
Michael J. Petrilli, Chester E. Finn, Jr. / February 21, 2013
Mike and Checker talk about the ethics of prepping kids for gifted tests, charter selectivity, and overpriced congressionally mandated commissions, and Dara gives fresh ...
Getting picky about choice
Michael J. Petrilli, Adam Emerson / February 14, 2013
Mike and Adam discuss school-choice regulations with John Kirtley of Step Up for Students. Amber talks up the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. ...
Amber and Rob, sitting in a tree…
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / February 7, 2013
Mike and Kathleen are disappointed by the most recent Next Generation Science Standards and by Alabama’s decision to withdraw from the Common Core testing ...
Switching it up
Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D., Chester E. Finn, Jr. / January 31, 2013
In a surprise twist, Dara Zeehandelaar hosts Fordham president Checker Finn on this week’s Gadfly Show. They discuss Tom Harkin’s retirement, wheelchair basketball, and ...
Inaugurations and graduations
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / January 24, 2013
Mike and Kathleen are skeptical about the President’s education agenda and newly released high school graduation rate data. Amber thinks about low-income high-flyers. ...
Scapegoats
Michael J. Petrilli Morgan Polikoff / January 17, 2013
Mike and emerging scholar Morgan Polikoff discuss accusations of discrimination in gifted-and-talented programs, Quality Counts, and lightning rod/tiger mom Michelle Rhee. Amber contemplates whether ...
Judgment time for ed reform
Michael J. Petrilli / January 10, 2013
Mike and Eric Lerum chat about StudentsFirst’s new policy report card, the fight in NJ over blended learning, and charter school expulsions in D.C. ...
A time for reflection
Michael J. Petrilli, Daniela Fairchild / December 20, 2012
Mike and Daniela reflect on Newtown, and then look back at school reform in 2012. Amber ends the last podcast of the year on ...
Responsible adults
Michael J. Petrilli, Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D. / December 13, 2012
Mike and Dara discuss bringing MOOCs to K–12 education, tiptoeing up to the fiscal cliff, and angry unions in Michigan. Amber considers all the ...
Bayou blues
Chester E. Finn, Jr., John E. Chubb / December 6, 2012
Checker and Education Sector’s John Chubb discuss expanding the school day, dismal graduation rates, and Louisiana confusion. Amber depresses us with a report on ...
We’re choosy
Michael J. Petrilli, Adam Emerson / November 29, 2012
Mike and Adam celebrate school-choice victories in New Jersey and Race to the Top and worry about the battles ahead. Amber ponders state-mandated special-ed ...
After Bennett
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / November 15, 2012
Mike and Kathleen wonder what will happen to the Common Core after Tony Bennett’s defeat, and ask why so many students miss so much ...
The votes are in
Michael J. Petrilli, Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D. / November 8, 2012
Is education-funding “blackmail” fair play? Did teacher unions come out on top? Mike and Dara rehash Tuesday’s electoral results while Amber asks whether increased ...
Trick or tweet?
Michael J. Petrilli, Chester E. Finn, Jr. / November 1, 2012
Mike channels Darth Vader and Checker channels, well, Checker, in a Halloween edition of the podcast featuring all sorts of treats: charter schools, the ...
We all love teachers but do we all love ed reformers?
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / October 25, 2012
Mike and Kathleen wonder why education can’t stay out of the debates and pick the top edu-initiatives on the ballot. Amber describes the spectacular ...
It’s all French to me
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / October 18, 2012
Rick and Mike pick apart an egregious example of Continental Achievement-Gap mania and take on differing proficiency goals based on student race and ethnicity. ...
1984 in 2012?
Michael J. Petrilli, Aaron Churchill / October 11, 2012
Aaron Churchill drops by to explain Ohio’s attendance foibles and debate the merits of another kind of student tracking. Amber asks if super sub-groups ...
The Fall Classic
Michael J. Petrilli, Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D. / October 4, 2012
Mike and Dara analyze the NAACP’s definition of discrimination and grapple with the unpleasant reality that Ohio’s online schools mostly suck. Amber looks at ...
The laugh factory
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / September 27, 2012
Mike and Rick wonder if there’s still room for ed reformers in the Democratic Party after Chicago. Amber analyzes why American students continue to ...
Now what?
Michael J. Petrilli, Chester E. Finn, Jr. / September 20, 2012
Checker and Mike autopsy the Chicago teachers’ strike and wonder why students at top schools have the cheating bug. Amber looks at why kids ...
Channeling Rahm
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / September 13, 2012
Kathleen and Mike cross the picket line and ask whether reformers have gone too far too fast on teacher evaluations. Amber makes the case ...
Eastwooding
Michael J. Petrilli, Dara Zeehandelaar, Ph.D. / September 6, 2012
Mike and Dara look at how the two parties’ education platforms compare and ask what it would take to shake up special education. Amber ...
Roving the education world
Michael J. Petrilli, Adam Emerson / August 30, 2012
Mike and Adam discuss the future of Catholic education and what role vouchers may play. Amber analyzes how the public sees all sorts of ...
Flying squirrels!
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / August 16, 2012
After a week’s hiatus, Mike and Rick catch up on the Romney-Ryan merger, creationism in voucher schools, and the ethics of school discipline. Daniela ...
Winning the gold for gab
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / August 2, 2012
Mike and Rick ponder public perceptions of education spending and whether it’s Rick—not teachers—who needs a dress code. Amber explains why penalty pay works. ...
Sophomoric videos are our thing
Michael J. Petrilli, Adam Emerson / July 26, 2012
Mike and Adam dissect StudentsFirst’s take on the Olympics and debate whether the parent trigger is overhyped. Amber wonders what Maryland and Delaware are ...
Move to the head of the class
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / July 19, 2012
Mike and Rick reunite to talk social mobility, the NEA’s membership woes, and what sequestration would actually mean for schools. Amber explains where parents ...
Mike is from Mars; Kathleen is from Venus
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / July 12, 2012
Kathleen and Mike wonder how to hold states accountable in twenty-seven different ways and debate whether gender-specific curricula make sense. Amber dives deep into ...
Curriculum nerds
Michael J. Petrilli, Kathleen Porter-Magee / June 28, 2012
Kathleen Porter-Magee makes her podcast debut, debating reading requirements with Mike and explaining why the new science standards need improvement. Amber wonders whether upper-elementary ...
Bah humbug
Michael J. Petrilli, Chester E. Finn, Jr. / June 21, 2012
Checker and Mike explain why individual charter schools shouldn’t be expected to educate everyone and divide over Obama’s non-enforcement policies. Amber analyzes where students’ ...
Rick fades in the fourth quarter
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / June 14, 2012
Mike and Rick ponder the future of teacher unions and the College Board while Amber provides the key points from a recent CDC study ...
Total recall
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / June 7, 2012
Mike and Janie discuss the fallout from the Wisconsin recall election and teacher unions’ image problem, while Amber explains what we can learn from ...
Amercia the Beautiful
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / May 31, 2012
Mike and Rick break down the flaws in the latest Race to the Top and explain why Obama and Duncan really aren’t twins when ...
The race is on!
Michael J. Petrilli, John E. Chubb / May 24, 2012
Mike and Education Sector’s John Chubb analyze Mitt Romney’s brand-new education plan and what RTTT will look like for districts. Amber considers whether competition ...
The Gadfly’s "grand swap"
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / May 17, 2012
Checker joins Mike on the podcast to recount his recent investigation of gifted education in Asia and predict the outcome of California’s waiver gambit, ...
Where are the wild things?
Michael J. Petrilli, Chester E. Finn, Jr. / May 10, 2012
Checker joins Mike on the podcast to recount his recent investigation of gifted education in Asia and predict the outcome of California’s waiver gambit, ...
The Gadfly’s spring line is out!
Janie Scull, Daniela Fairchild / May 3, 2012
Janie and Daniela debate designer Kenneth Cole’s foray into education reform and the Department of Education’s CTE overhaul, while Amber examines turnover among charter ...
The pineapple and the gadfly
Janie Scull, Frederick M. Hess / April 26, 2012
Standardized testing, school closures, and a pineapple: Rick and Janie cover it all this week, while Amber wonders whether weighted-student funding made a difference ...
Streeeeetching the school dollar
Michael J. Petrilli, Adam Emerson / April 19, 2012
Mike and Adam talk space shuttles, vouchers, and how districts can make the most of tight budgets on this week’s podcast, while Amber explains ...
The Education Gadfly Podstagram
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / April 12, 2012
Will Mitt take on ed? Is Jindal gutting public schools? The podcast has answers. Plus, Janie provides the inside scoop on state accountability and ...
Six years and still buzzin'
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / April 5, 2012
On the podcast’s iron anniversary, Rick and Mike reflect on the highs and lows of education policy since 2006. Rick also provides a glimpse ...
March (ESEA) Madness?
Michael J. Petrilli Lindsey Burke / March 15, 2012
Mike and the Heritage Foundation’s Lindsey Burke step outside to debate the place of climate science in standards and whether John Kline’s ESEA proposals ...
Save the podcast!
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / March 8, 2012
Mike and Janie make the case for keeping the Education Gadfly Show going with witty analysis of Common Core critics, student discipline follies, and ...
Sounding off on "snobs" and Santorum
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / March 1, 2012
Mike and Rick break down the week’s news, from the prospects of John Kline’s ESEA reauthorization proposals to the college-for-all controversy. Amber analyzes the ...
It’s Rick-sanity!
Michael J. Petrilli, Frederick M. Hess / February 23, 2012
From Lin-sanity to charter school discipline, Mike and Rick take on political correctness in this week’s podcast. Amber breaks down the recent Brown Center ...
Weighing the waivers
Michael J. Petrilli, Adam Emerson / February 16, 2012
Mike sat down with Fordham’s new school choice czar, Adam Emerson, to question just how flexible ESEA flexibility turned out to be and to ...
Awaiting waivers
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / February 9, 2012
While waiting for the ESEA waiver announcement, Mike and Janie get to look at the week’s more entertaining edu-news, from trials for tardiness to ...
Watch out, Howard Stern
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / February 2, 2012
Mike and Rick channel the shock jock king as they discuss the implications of Fordham’s science standards report (which made an appearance on the ...
(Gad)flies on the classroom wall
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / January 26, 2012
Mike and Rick wonder what (if anything) Newt’s resurgence means for education in the 2012 election and whether the white working class would benefit ...
Who wants to be Tim Tebow now?
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / January 19, 2012
Fresh off his South American adventure (seriously!), Rick reunites with Mike to catch up on what he missed: NCLB reauthorization, tough talk in New ...
Dirty jobs: school principal
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / January 12, 2012
This week on the podcast, Janie explains why she wouldn’t want to head a school, Mike breaks down the latest NCLB proposal, and your ...
Everyone’s a winner!
Michael J. Petrilli, Daniela Fairchild Diane Ravitch / January 5, 2012
The podcast kicks off the new year in style, with special guest commentary from Diane Ravitch on what 2012 will bring. Amber sees charter-school ...
Santa Claus: The second coming of Christ?
Michael J. Petrilli, Chris Tessone / December 22, 2011
This last 2011 installment of the Gadfly Show won’t disappoint, with Mike joined by Chris Tessone (formerly of Dollars and Sen$e fame). The two ...
Wanna make a bet?
Michael J. Petrilli, Daniela Fairchild / December 15, 2011
Mike and Daniela go edu-meta, asking whether the accountability era has run its course, what the role of for-profits are in digital education, and ...
Fordham is the 99 percent
Terry Ryan, Michael J. Petrilli / December 8, 2011
Special guest appearance! Terry Ryan flies in from the Buckeye State to talk with Mike about charter incubators (using our new report as backdrop), ...
Ending the AEI lockout
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / December 1, 2011
Mike and Rick come out swinging after their Thanksgiving respites. In Pardon the Gadfly, they attack our current governance model, sympathize with Newt Gingrich, ...
At least the Occupiers have good fashion sense
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / November 17, 2011
With the closing of Zuccotti Park, Rick is back with the podcast in full force—shorts, Birkenstocks, and all. He talks with Mike about Fordham’s ...
This soapbox has a great view
Janie Scull, Michael J. Petrilli / November 10, 2011
Mike and Janie bite off big topics in this week’s podcast—from the repeal of SB5 to racial imbalances in gifted-ed programs to online learning. ...
Planking Tebowing and more
Michael J. Petrilli Dave DeSchryver / November 3, 2011
Everyone?s favorite guest host, Dave DeSchryver, joins Mike to discuss the 2011 NAEP results, ESEA reauth, and charter schools in middle-class locales. Amber dissects ...
666 is 999 turned on its head
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / October 20, 2011
Mike and Janie hold down the fort this week, discussing the Harkin-Enzi bill, same-sex schooling, and St. Louis (both its new gifted-ed program and ...
Rick dresses for a protest
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / October 13, 2011
Mike takes back the driver?s seat, with Rick, once-again, in his sidecar. Together, they offer up substantive takes on Harkin?s new ESEA bill, Jerry ...
Amber changes her name to Waterfall
Daniela Fairchild, Janie Scull / October 6, 2011
Janie and Daniela go two-for-two. This week they unpack Duncan?s teacher-prep plan, quality control in digital learning, and the parallels between football and education. ...
Go Bloo
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 22, 2011
Mike and Rick raise the bar this week, discussing high achievers, Duncan?s digital promise, and the textbook-company oligarchy. (Oh, and Rick confesses he has ...
Amber meets the shoe bomber
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 15, 2011
Before embarking on a moral crusade, Mike and Rick laugh in the face of ESEA reauth and downplay the statistical importance of the SAT. ...
Give Rick a badge and send him to Beverly Hills
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 8, 2011
It?s all business on the Education Gadfly Show Podcast this week. Mike and Rick discuss the potential of digital learning, A.J. Duffy?s change of ...
Bully for you Margaret
Michael J. Petrilli John Bailey / September 1, 2011
Mike chats with John Bailey of Whiteboard Advisors about teacher evaluations in the Empire State, a new sheriff for the ?reform? district in the ...
Husky sexy voices
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / August 25, 2011
Mike and Rick get punchy this week, asking Arne Duncan what he was thinking going after Rick Perry, why the cheating scandals are snowballing ...
Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street
Daniela Fairchild, Janie Scull / August 18, 2011
With Mike and Rick sipping Cuba Libres on the beach, Janie and Daniela speculate on what Montana?s ?NCLB do-over? might mean for ESEA reauthorization, ...
Real-life Breaking Bad
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / August 11, 2011
Mike and Rick get down to brass tacks on Duncan?s waivers and Wisconsin?s recall elections before making wagers on Education Reform Idol 2011. Amber ...
The bro-mance continues
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / July 28, 2011
After his podcast sabbatical, Rick Hess is back?and he doesn?t disappoint. After explaining his new Fordham paper on digital learning, he and Mike discuss ...
B is for bona fides
Michael J. Petrilli Bill Tucker / July 21, 2011
Education Sector?s Bill Tucker joins Mike in discussions on D.C.?s IMPACT system, charter schools in affluent communities, and a little something we like to ...
A debate of which Monty Python would be proud
Daniela Fairchild, Janie Scull / July 14, 2011
Janie and Daniela hold down the podcast fort in style, discussing ?no excuses? school cultures, teaching to the test, and the ancient art of ...
Speaking Latin and Pig Latin
Michael J. Petrilli, Chester E. Finn, Jr. / July 7, 2011
Mike volleys with special guest Checker Finn in this week?s podcast. The topics they serve up? Education governance, cheating on standardized tests, and the ...
Mike and Rick have it bad for teacher
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 30, 2011
Mike tries to censor Rick?s free speech as the two discuss pension reform in New Jersey, Common Core conservatism, and violent video games. Amber ...
Mike and Richard play cops and robbers
Michael J. Petrilli Richard (Lee) Colvin / June 23, 2011
Mike sits down with guest host Richard (Lee) Colvin of Ed Sector to hash out what Michigan?s new reform efforts may mean for Detroit, ...
Constitution What Constitution
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 16, 2011
Mike and Rick are el fuego this week, blasting Duncan?s new reform proposal, districts? cost-cutting concerns, and over-hyped edu-entrepreneurs. Amber breaks down NAEP history ...
Nothing says gifted like Welcome Back Cotter
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 9, 2011
After some good old-fashioned low-brow fun, Mike and Rick launch into an erudite conversation on teacher evaluations and Race to the Top, the political ...
A Texas high school arms race
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 2, 2011
Mike and Rick talk substantively (for a change) about: Clark County?s education blueprint, private special-education service providers, and utopian hopes for turnarounds. Amber geeks ...
Testing testing 1-2-3
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / May 26, 2011
Mike?s back in the saddle; he and Janie fire off points on international comparisons and testing-for-evaluation in L.A. and NYC. Amber shoots holes in ...
Fordham women lead the way
Daniela Fairchild, Janie Scull / May 19, 2011
With Mike and Rick away this week, Janie and Daniela hold down the fort, discussing college rigor, the future of Georgia?s charter schools, and ...
The honeymoon is over
Michael J. Petrilli Dave DeSchryver / May 12, 2011
Smile. The magnanimous Dave DeSchryver guest hosts this week; he and Mike hash out the big takeaways from the common curriculum counter-manifesto and the ...
Teacher Appreciation Week
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / May 5, 2011
Mike and Rick are all sorts of punchy this week, talking civics lessons, philanthropic giving, and Arne Duncan?s teacher pandering. Amber breaks the piggy ...
Education policy 0 royal wedding 1
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / April 28, 2011
Mike and Janie look into the crystal ball of edu-policy, making predictions on the sustainability of the local school board, potential backlash to reform, ...
We heart jargon and JC
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / April 21, 2011
Mike and Rick conjure up some crazy weather this week during Pardon the Gadfly: a hailstorm of ideas from Fordham?s new ESEA briefing book, ...
Consensus has its day in the sun
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / April 14, 2011
Mike and Janie ford the left-right gap in federal education policy, and find consensus on charter facilities and Race to the Top 2.0. Amber ...
Reform skeptics week
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / April 7, 2011
Mike and Rick talk about what happens when the parent trigger misfires, raise serious questions about Florida?s teacher-reform law, and wonder whether expanding vouchers ...
Leaving a scorched earth of nicknames behind
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / April 1, 2011
From the vault: The best of the podcast bloopers. ...
ESEA CBA and LOL
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / March 24, 2011
Mike and Rick explain the merits of student tracking, debate whether collective bargaining matters, and spar over ESEA reauthorization. Amber heads to the Land ...
Aflac And other dirty words
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / March 17, 2011
Mike and Rick unpack findings from Fordham?s latest report, scratch their heads about teacher reform, and pour one out for Detroit. Amber tears apart ...
Mike throws rock Rick throws paper
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / March 10, 2011
Mike and Rick get a verbal boxing workout as they discuss a potential national curriculum. To cool down, they talk about cheating teachers and ...
Rick rocks Stevie Wonder-style
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / March 3, 2011
Mike and Rick compare GOP govs, determining who is the fairest of them all. They then think outside the box on integration before debating ...
Qaddafi Rhee and other zealots
Michael J. Petrilli Liam Julian / February 24, 2011
Fordhamite for life Liam Julian goes another round on the podcast, as he and Mike discuss the clashes in the Midwest, the self-sabotage of ...
Felting knitting and basket-weaving
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / February 17, 2011
Mike and Janie hit hard with talk of the proposed budgets, racial classifications, and Michelle Rhee?s legacy. Amber taps the minds of school-board members ...
Mike slashes bad ideas
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / February 10, 2011
With vocal deftness, Mike and Rick?Amber, too?discuss leadership in school turnaround efforts, collective-bargaining rights, and the need (or lack thereof) for state boards of ...
Welcome back Rick
Michael J. Petrilli Dave DeSchryver / February 3, 2011
Mike jousts (verbally, of course) with Dave DeSchryver, a Washington insider and Whiteboard Advisors consultant, on the State of the Union, NAEP science results, ...
Only the good die young
Michael J. Petrilli Stephanie Saroki / January 20, 2011
Mike welcomes Stephanie Saroki of Seton Education Partners to this week?s Pardon the Gadfly. They lament Catholic school closures in NYC, opine on virtual ...
The Peoples Republic of Takoma Park
Michael J. Petrilli Sara Mead / January 13, 2011
Sara "the belle of Belleweather Education" Mead joins Mike to discuss StudentsFirst, PISA results, and "Chinese parenting." Amber reminds us that NAEP and the ...
Amber plays Texas Hold em
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / December 22, 2010
Mike and Rick get nostalgic for 2010 then turn their thoughts to 2011. Amber goes all-in on school productivity and Daniela learns how to ...
Rick Pull your pants up
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / December 16, 2010
Mike and Rick are feeling the holiday spirit as they explain Fordham?s new report , lament school turnaround efforts, and discuss Cathie Black: The ...
Mike the Twitter sports fan
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / December 9, 2010
With Rick back in the saddle, he and Mike commend Michelle Rhee, lament Shanghai, and dissect last hired, first fired by the numbers. Amber ...
Rick Rick where art thou Rick
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / December 2, 2010
Mike and Janie commend David Steiner?s decision, opine about differentiated instruction, and attend a Tea Party. Amber goes global and Chris gives soccer the ...
Are you hot for teacher
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / November 18, 2010
With football on the brain, Mike and Rick offer up a play-by-play of the Joel Klein-Cathie Black saga in New York City, and sack ...
Rick the Pumpkin
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / October 28, 2010
Mike and Rick answer life?s mysteries as they pertain to the election, OCR overreach, and publically-available teacher ratings. And if that?s not enough, Amber ...
Janie resents your social network
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / October 7, 2010
Mike and Janie argue over bipartisanship, explain findings from our recent report on ed schools, and second-guess President Obama. Amber messes with Texas, and ...
Gingrich-Winkler 2010
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 30, 2010
Mike and Rick talk shop about The Pledge to America, Mark Zuckerberg, and Arne's quixotic quest to hire more teachers. Amber takes a ...
Rick dons a meat dress
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 16, 2010
This week, Mike and Rick get serious about the D.C. and DE elections and also dissect school suspension rates. Then Amber tackles high school ...
Ed reformers go to the beach
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 9, 2010
Mike and Rick tackle public employee pensions, the forthcoming blockbuster "Waiting for Superman," and the two winning "race to the test" consortia. Amber then ...
We catch Rick wearing Paris purse
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 2, 2010
This week, Mike Petrilli and Rick Hess explain why everyone's wrong about Race to the Top, go tit-for-tat over the L.A. Times, and ponder ...
Windsurfing was so 2004
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / August 26, 2010
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Race to the Top's round 2 winners, Fordham's latest report on cities' education "reform-friendliness," and the sensational LA ...
The haute couture of pop culture
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / August 12, 2010
This week, Mike and Janie discuss the November implications of edujobs, the i3 winners, and what Atlanta's cheating scandal might mean for standards. Then ...
Wherein we sweep behind elephants
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / August 5, 2010
Rick and Mike bring the heat this week as they discuss extending the school year, the Congressional teacher-jobs bailout that simply won't die, and ...
Ricks back and we are rusty
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / July 29, 2010
This week, Mike and Rick discuss whether national standards are "conservative," if Obama has expended his political capital on education policy, and what civil ...
Janie Scull Superstar
Michael J. Petrilli, Janie Scull / July 22, 2010
Don't miss Janie's inaugural turn in the co-host spot, as she and Mike debate: our new report, NJ's supe salary cap, and Wake County's ...
Of chest kicks and headers
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / July 15, 2010
The podcast team comes down with a case of World Cup fever, as Mike and Stafford discuss whether Gates is too powerful, teachers' union ...
Edubailout or edumiracle
Michael J. Petrilli, Stafford Palmieri / July 8, 2010
Mike and Stafford tackle the edu-bailout ? should the Administration?s pet projects be spared a haircut when everyone else has gotten clipped? ? and ...
Andys last stand
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / June 24, 2010
Join us as we bid farewell to New Jersey's new Deputy Commissioner of Education, Andy Smarick. First, he and Mike discuss how to educate ...
World Cup productivity levels
Michael J. Petrilli, Stafford Palmieri / June 17, 2010
You won't want to miss this week's debate between Mike and Stafford about teachers cheating, corporate sponsorship in schools, and praise-worthy union leaders. Then ...
Gadflies in arms
Michael J. Petrilli, Stafford Palmieri / June 10, 2010
This week, Stafford and Mike contemplate the impact of public school cuts on private school enrollments, paying students to attend Saturday tutoring, and the ...
Rick takes on Tblisi
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 3, 2010
This week, Mike and Rick discuss whether we're getting $4 billion worth of education reform out of Race to the Top, the next big ...
Lost on the ed reform island
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / May 27, 2010
Did you watch the ?Lost? series finale? Don?t worry, Rick?s here to explain, before debating Mike on for-profit organizations, Representative Chu?s new ?turnaround? plan, ...
Bridging new differences
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / May 20, 2010
Andy and Mike discuss the resolution of Central Falls? saga, if too many students are going to college, and whether it?s more likely that ...
Education professors take on immigration
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / May 6, 2010
Fresh off the plane from AERA, Rick takes on Mike over The New York Times front page charter story, the new philanthropic overtures to ...
To Banter or Not to Banter
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / April 29, 2010
Don't miss this week's edition, wherein Rick and Mike discuss Fordham's new charter autonomy study, Duncan's "stakeholder buy-in" mess, and the pending downfall of ...
Linda Darling-Hammond gets her own theme song
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / April 22, 2010
This week, Mike and Andy discuss Charlie Crist's veto, Linda Darling-Hammond's charter school, and Race to the Test's quickly narrowing field. Then Amber tells ...
Partying at a Jersey Shore motel
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / April 15, 2010
This week, Mike and Rick take bets on whether Crist will sign the pending Florida teacher evaluation legislation, debate the merits of the newly ...
Mike and Andy the Duke and Butler of ed policy
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / April 8, 2010
Rick skips town to attend the NCAA finals in Indianapolis. (It's ok to be jealous.) So this week bitter two-point rivals Mike and Andy ...
Rick Hess Over-exposed
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / April 1, 2010
This week, it's all Rick all the time in his new Rick-only segment, "Bent Sideways with Rick Hess." Hear him read aloud the last ...
Bigger bolder fatter
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / March 25, 2010
This week, Andy and Mike take on the draft K-12 Common Core standards, lament the school-based fight against childhood obesity, and wonder how many ...
Andy back in time for the Masters
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / March 18, 2010
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 ...
Dont point
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / March 11, 2010
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 ...
Zipping through Thailand
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / March 4, 2010
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, ...
Abracadabra
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / February 25, 2010
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 ...
Mickey in the hot seat
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / February 18, 2010
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. ...
Who dat
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / February 4, 2010
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 ...
Fordhams hostile takeover
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / January 28, 2010
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. ...
The New Normal and Tigers sex addiction
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / January 21, 2010
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 ...
Stafford makes Rick cry
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / January 14, 2010
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 ...
Songs named Laura
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / January 7, 2010
This week, Rick and Stafford discuss the role of social media in schools, new education leadership graduate programs, and 2010 resolutions for Arne Duncan. ...
Mikes stalker voice
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / December 17, 2009
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 ...
Tiger no longer a compliment
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / December 10, 2009
Mike and Rick are together again. This week, they discuss indoctrination in Minnesota ed schools, the worst education ideas of the decade, and whether ...
Staffords Got Talent
Michael J. Petrilli, Stafford Palmieri / December 3, 2009
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 ...
Nico's growing debt
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / November 19, 2009
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 ...
The students who say Meep
Stafford Palmieri, Andy Smarick / November 12, 2009
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 ...
Mickey perfects the dramatic pause
Stafford Palmieri, Andy Smarick / November 5, 2009
Andy and Stafford co-host, debating the Hawaii furlough debacle as they discuss Diane Ravitch's use of NAEP data to raise doubts about charters, Rick ...
Our secret 400 Maryland Ave listeners
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / October 29, 2009
Rick and Mike snuggle around the microphone ("Can you not touch my leg?") as they discuss Arne Duncan's recent ed school speeches, Deborah Gist's ...
Up close and personal with Mike
Michael J. Petrilli, Stafford Palmieri / October 22, 2009
This week, Mike and Stafford discuss the fate of Catholic schools (again), Russ Whitehurst's call to the Obama Administration to stop ignoring curriculum, and ...
The very long question
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / October 15, 2009
This week, Mike and Andy discuss giving more aid to states, including think tanks and philanthropies in Department of Education forums, and Jeb Bush's ...
Insert banter small talk and offensive jokes here
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / October 8, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss a school in Massachusetts that wants to rise above test scores, the death of "No Child Left Behind" ...
The Checker grimace
Chester E. Finn, Jr., Andy Smarick / October 1, 2009
This week, we welcome guest co-host Checker, as he and Andy (now a regular!) discuss the passing of Don Fisher, Arne Duncan's eight-month-late comments ...
The Fredericks of AEI
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 24, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss the new Common Core standards, the low-bar graduation exam in Maryland, and South Africa's post-Apartheid inequalities. Then Amber ...
NPR hires Mickey
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / September 17, 2009
Rick is out of retirement! He and Mike discuss the ascension of Senator Harkin to chair of the HELP committee, Philly's proposed changes for ...
I got that socialist feelin
Michael J. Petrilli / September 10, 2009
This week, Andy and Stafford discuss good grades in the Big Apple, school violence in Chi-town, and young principals in Beantown. Then Amber gives ...
Where's Babe the Blue Ox
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / September 3, 2009
This week Mike, and not-really-a-guest-but-semi-regular-co-host Andy Smarick discuss the English teacher practice of letting students pick their own reading material, the new Boston Parent ...
The Italians of education reform
Michael J. Petrilli, Stafford Palmieri / August 27, 2009
This week, Petrilli and guest co-host Palmieri ponder DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's new teaching and learning standards, Los Angeles's school outsourcing plan, and Detroit's ...
Summer break
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / August 20, 2009
Mike and Rick discuss the education angle to the healthcare debate, school district PR campaigns to win back students and Race to the Top's ...
Pitchforks in Utah
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / August 13, 2009
It's a Mike and Rick reunion, during which, amid much catching up, they discuss the tweaking of mayoral control in New York City, the ...
I want my MTV
Andy Smarick Rick Hess / August 6, 2009
This week, Andy is back as guest co-host, joined by our Rick. They discuss the New York Times debate on standardized tests, whether Race ...
Mike is a chicken Andy is a cheater
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / July 30, 2009
Mike declares the podcast coup over as he returns from his travels. He and Andy Smarick, now officially a routine guest host, discuss Duncan's ...
Podcast promotions
Stafford Palmieri, Andy Smarick / July 23, 2009
With Mike and Rick playing hooky, Andy and Stafford stage a coup of the podcast. They discuss Obama's solidarity speech to the NAACP, the ...
Richard Lee Colvin in the house
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / July 16, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss the ascent of Representative Kline to ranking minority leader on the House Committee on Education and Labor, Detroit ...
Rick offers Christina advice
Andy Smarick Rick Hess / July 9, 2009
Andy Smarick, filling in for beach-bound Mike, and Rick discuss Arne Duncan's speech to the NEA, Deval Patrick's latest plan to turn around Massachusetts ...
The Supreme Court episode
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / July 2, 2009
In this week's very special 4th of July episode, Mike and Rick tackle a trio of recent education-related Supreme Court decisions, including ones on ...
Mike and Rick virtual twins
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 25, 2009
This week, the dynamic duo pledge a pact of eternal twin-nery (with bracelets!), while they discuss Philly's passing pressure, the new "Broader, Bolder" brief, ...
How does your garden grow
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 18, 2009
This week, Rick is back with Mike to discuss national testing, student tracking and the opening of a Hebrew-language charter school in Brooklyn. Amber ...
Graduating Grandma
Michael J. Petrilli, Andy Smarick / June 11, 2009
This week, Mike and guest host Andy Smarick discuss test scores in New York state, New York City's "learn and earn" program and a ...
Spencer Heidi and Rick
Michael J. Petrilli Rick Hess / June 4, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss the 46-state pledge for national standards, Andrew Coulson's proposal that DC pick up the tab for its dying ...
The Really Neat Paper Minute!
/ May 28, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss New York City's Leadership Academy principals' lackluster results, charter school transparency in Pennsylvania, and whether we should try ...
Smack that
/ May 21, 2009
This week, Mike and Stafford discuss Arne Duncan's overtures towards Detroit, whether Massachusetts disproves the argument that teachers' unions stymie reform, and a recent ...
The Research Nap?
/ May 14, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss possible stimulus-stimulated reforms, whether grades should include more than just content mastery, and if we should letting students ...
Does Mike have swine flu?
/ May 7, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Texas accountability developments, replicating the Harlem Children's Zone in Boston, and the teacher debacle out in L.A. Then ...
Meet the pecs: boom and bang
/ April 30, 2009
Rick is back from his booze cruise and ready to go. This week, he and Mike discuss Fordham's new AP report, taxpayers versus parents ...
People of gender?
/ April 23, 2009
This week, we welcome guest co-host Howie Schaffer to the show. He and Mike debate the lessons of Columbine, implications of the long-drawn-out-but-perhaps-heading-towards-resolution Flores ...
Friends don't let friends campaign for them
/ April 16, 2009
This week, we welcome guest co-host Andy Smarick. He and Mike discuss the DC voucher program's slow death, Obama's overseas mea culpas, and Tucson's ...
Hijacked by pirates
/ April 9, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss the Department's stimulus guidance, the Boston Teachers Union's rejection of TFA, and NCTAF's ominous predictions about teacher retirements ...
Talking in paragraphs
/ March 26, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Fordham's new voucher paper, the future of private school choice as a viable ed policy strategy, and whether ...
Everyone's replaceable
/ March 19, 2009
Mike is back but, alas, without any Argentinean headphones. This week, he and Rick discuss the troubles with teaching ELL students, the strength (or ...
No cheese sandwich for you
/ March 5, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick contemplate Deval Patrick's appointment to the Achieve board, English language learners' stellar strides in Maryland and Virginia, and the ...
Leave room for the Holy Spirit
/ February 26, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss increasing class size, increasing the federal role (and New York Times' na?vet?), and decreasing school years in Oregon. ...
Sweet chili Petrilli
/ February 19, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Fordham and Northwest Evaluation Association's latest report, The Accountability Illusion (after John Cronin, one of the authors and ...
In Defense of Jewish History Month
/ February 12, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick debate Arne's pot of discretionary boodle, the real salary potential of teachers, and the post-Obama fate of Black History ...
At least we pay our taxes
/ February 5, 2009
Mike and Rick discuss the relationship between K-12 diversity and quality, swapping the ACT for state high school graduation tests, and Schwarzegger's flexibility on ...
Rick won't be my facebook friend
/ January 29, 2009
This week, Mike and Rick discuss new legislation in Colorado to give parents time off for school events, the wrongful condemnation of Ohio's voucher ...
Rick loves Gwen Stefani
/ January 22, 2009
Mike and Rick discuss Obama's inaugural address, the stimulus package, and charter school costs. Then Amber updates us on the latest tracking of alternative ...
It's pronounced "Arnie"
/ January 15, 2009
We're back! This week, Mike and Rick discuss unionized charter schools, bailing out state education funds, and Bush's education legacy. Then Amber tells us ...
Who is Jim Lehrer?
/ December 18, 2008
Rick is back (and remains?a cave dweller). To celebrate, he and Mike give us a doozy of a podcast this week. First up, they ...
How's your office coffee?
/ December 11, 2008
We welcome a statistical heavyweight as our guest host this week: former NCES commissioner Mark Schneider. He and Mike discuss the new TIMSS results, ...
How do you know she's a witch?
/ December 4, 2008
This week, we welcome guest co-host (and Fordham Insider) Dave DeSchryver to the show. He and Mike discuss the state of the Obama domestic ...
It's the Pitts
/ November 20, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Fordham's latest and brightest treatise on data, Randi Weingarten's acclaimed speech at the National Press Club, and the ...
It's a dance off
/ November 13, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick contemplate the future of the Washington Consensus, graduation rates, and the much debated ed sec pick. Amber then knocks ...
Kevin Carey, smart person
/ November 6, 2008
This week, we welcome an occasional guest co-host and self-styled brainiac to the show. He and Mike make their post-election education predictions, chat about ...
Rick Hess, non-voter
/ October 30, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick discuss the new NCLB regs, coupling collective bargaining with cutting district fat, and the controversial proposal for a gay ...
Rick Hess, cave dweller
/ October 23, 2008
Mike and Rick talk social promotion, portfolios, and closing down schools on Election Day. Then Amber tells about a new report from AIR and ...
Bodegas and rutabagas
/ October 16, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick brainstorm Whitehurst replacements, how to count special ed students' test scores, and possible thought processes behind Randi Weingarten's preposterous ...
Does God hate Catholic schools?
/ October 9, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick consider the fate of urban Catholic schools, which can't seem to catch a break, as well as Rhee's "Plan ...
Hatchets, Axes and Scalpels, Oh My!
/ October 2, 2008
Mike and Rick talk sharp implements, Fryer's student pay-out scheme, and keeping elusive superintendents in their jobs? more than three years. (Rick's solution? Manacles.) ...
Playground politics: why accountability has more friends than school choice
/ September 25, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about the election, the economy, and algebra. Amber tells us what it would take to get mid-career professionals ...
Thelma and Louise
/ August 28, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Denver, school choice, and tattoos. Research Minute takes a week off, and Education News of the Weird is ...
Olympics!
/ August 14, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick discuss polls, polls, and paternalism. Amber talks re-enrollment rates, and Education News of the Weird is less than discreet. ...
Rick Hess: Olympian
/ August 7, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk teachers, Crew, and food theft. Amber tells us about where stand charter schools in 2008, and Education News ...
Who wears short shorts?
/ July 31, 2008
(Mike does.) This week, Mike and guest co-host Kevin Carey talk teacher quality, Baltimore, and unions. Amber tells us whether women can add, and ...
Getting up at 8, it's crazy
/ July 24, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about Washington, D.C., Saudi Arabia, and Miley Cyrus (who, if she ever entered Saudi Arabia, would be stoned ...
We name names
/ July 10, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about illegal immigrants, rich suburbanites, and Bobby (formerly Piyush) Jindal. Amber brings us a Research Minute, and Education ...
End of an era
/ June 26, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about reform in Massachusetts, alt-cert in Texas, and eighth-grade bacchanalia. Today, Jeff Kuhner considers himself the luckiest man ...
Psychics! Prom!
/ June 19, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about whether we can be excellent and equal, whether the College Board is too obsessed with race, and ...
Forget Al Sharpton
/ June 12, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick debate D.C. vouchers, L.A. walkout, and PA exit exams. Jeff Kuhner defends an accused terrorist, and Education News of ...
Onward and upward
/ June 5, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk about Louisiana's standardized tests, Seattle's about face on race, and teacher dissent in Denver. Jeff Kuhner makes a ...
Elven shoed
/ May 29, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk Georgia social studies exams, Texas English standards, and art and P.E. in Washington, D.C. Jeff Kuhner is outraged ...
Whither yearbooks?
/ May 22, 2008
This week, Mike and guest host Kevin Carey, of Education Sector, chat about girls and boys, colleges, and AP. Jeff Kuhner is outraged about ...
Bill Ayers is a terrorist
/ May 15, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about why we shouldn't expect black kids to misbehave or all kids to attend college, and note that ...
Wave that thing
/ May 8, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick discuss why some kids shouldn't go to college, the Reading First study is flawed, and Randi Weingarten lies so ...
Chickens coming home to roost
/ May 1, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk teacher absence policies, Cleveland classrooms, and changing racial identities. Jeff Kuhner doesn't like all the kids messing around ...
Thanks for being you
/ April 24, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk NCLB, NYC, and WASL. Jeff Kuhner is taking some time off to cool down, and Education News of ...
From Iceland with love
/ April 17, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick debate school discipline in Las Vegas, firing teachers in Iowa, and academic freedom in Florida. Jeff Kuhner is outraged ...
Balls
/ April 10, 2008
This week, Mike and guest co-host Coby Loup of the Fordham Foundation talk about Catholic schools, prison schools, and fat schools. Jeff Kuhner is ...
Bellhops from Singapore
/ March 27, 2008
This week, Mike and last-time-bachelor Rick discuss the New York Times's take on underage drinking, anti-intellectualism, and race issues. Jeff Kuhner is outraged that ...
Now with double the outrage
/ March 20, 2008
This week, Mike and the New America Foundation's Sara Mead discuss Spellings, Baltimore, and the NIEER. Jeff Kuhner is outraged about Pell Grants for ...
The NEA should hire Spitzer
/ March 13, 2008
This week, Mike and the National Council on Teacher Quality's Sandi Jacobs discuss whether liberals should support Reading First, the worst teachers deserve $10,000 ...
Oppose morass
/ February 28, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk Common Core, student pranks, and two schools--so close, yet so far. "Unemployed" school bus drivers are the Education ...
Little Limbaugh
/ February 21, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Barack Obama's comments on vouchers, the battle between charter schools and Catholic schools, and whether Fordham's new report ...
All-Bran or Pop-Tart?
/ February 14, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about bad teachers who are really good, keeping kids out of school to save tax dollars, and giving ...
Outrage!
/ February 7, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about Britain; Washington, D.C.; and the president's new budget. We introduce a new segment: Jeff Kuhner's Education Outrage ...
Broken toilets, urban scapes
/ January 31, 2008
This week, Mike and guest host Kate Walsh chat about Los Angeles, Chicago, and the State of the Union's effect on NCLB reauthorization. Coby ...
I propose a toast
/ January 24, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick chat about MBA principals, New York City's data-tracking, and what else ails Dallas. Education News of the Weird is ...
That new-studio smell
/ January 17, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk about why America doesn't need more college grads, why choice isn't enough, and why cracking down on corruption ...
Prophylactic thinking
/ January 3, 2008
This week, Mike and Rick talk Iowa, special education, and the wisdom of children. We've got an interview with Sunil Iyengar of the National ...
That Jamie Lynn
/ December 20, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk incentive pay in Dallas, Head Start, and the power of unions. Fordham's Jeff Kuhner talks about the 2008 ...
The quiet storm
/ December 13, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about developing talent; Winerip's illogic; and separating students by race, gender, etc. Tom Loveless stops by to talk ...
Rick wears a blazer
/ December 6, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk Catholics, Texans, and city councils. Josh Dunn stops by to chat about the recent decision striking down virtual ...
Bled-through
/ November 29, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick discuss teacher residencies, affirmative action, and their newfound relationship with the NEA. We have an interview with a famous ...
And we're back
/ November 15, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Hillary Clinton, dropouts, and impotent mayors. Sheila Byrd flies in to chat about Fordham's new AP/IB report, and ...
iRobot--no, not the movie
/ October 18, 2007
This week, Mike and guest host Dave DeSchryver, who is on Facebook, talk growth models, Ohio's teachers, and Chicago's military. We chat with the ...
Major Walsh, Colonel Cerf
/ October 11, 2007
This week, Mike and guest host Kate Walsh of the National Council on Teacher Quality talk race and teacher tests, Bob Herbert, and lotteries. ...
Reg Weaver: Visionary
/ October 4, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk new Fordham reports, Baltimore, and r?sum?-building teachers. John Cronin stops by to talk about The Proficiency Illusion, and ...
Lavender curricula
/ September 27, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk Little Rock, Palo Alto, and international competitiveness. We have an interview with one of the foremost authorities on ...
Use protection at the co-op
/ September 20, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about marketplaces, attorneys general, and Denver. Checker Finn pays us a visit and chats about the Broad Prize, ...
Partial drinking fast
/ September 13, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about Catholics, Swiss cheese, and teachers. We've got an interview with Kate Walsh, who tells us why Congress ...
To the University of Harvard!
/ September 6, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about the suburbs, the College Board, and Raleigh. We've got an interview with Liam Julian, who tells us ...
Dodecahedron
/ August 23, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about black kids, gifted kids, and the NYPD. We've got an interview with Ren? Islas, and Education News ...
A perfect storm
/ August 16, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about Arizona, Atlanta, Checker Finn, and Diane Ravitch. Professor Stefanie DeLuca, of Johns Hopkins, chats about why moving ...
Soup's on
/ August 2, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about educating through humiliation, removing poor kids from good schools, and why grades don't matter. Checker Finn and ...
Concessions
/ July 26, 2007
This week, Mike and NCTQ President Kate Walsh chat about Obama, Edwards, and Bloomberg. Kate tells us all about her organization's recently released Yearbook, ...
Ding, ding, ding!
/ July 12, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about special-ed, rogue charters, and school names. Matthew Ladner of the Goldwater Institute talks NCLB, and News of ...
A lovely engagement
/ June 28, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about MBAs, fidgety 20-somethings, and making money off poor kids. Our own Liam Julian tells us why he ...
Rats guarding Baltimore's cheese
/ June 21, 2007
This week, Mike and guest host Howie Schaffer chat about breakups in Philly, charter madrassas, and more automatons. Education News of the Weird is...''Food ...
Coddled
/ June 14, 2007
This week, Mike and guest host Dave Deschryver discuss Rheeform in D.C., rewarding kids, and something about automatons. Checker Finn tells us what's up ...
Sorry sass
/ June 7, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk civil rights, redshirts, and why veteran teachers in St. Louis aren't all that. Grammar Girl stops by to ...
So long, farewell...
/ May 31, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about ''teacher proofing''; why Florida should be like the IRS; and LDH, which sounds like a drug but ...
Who wants to be a pundit?
/ May 24, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about Hillary Clinton, Antonio Villaraigosa, and D.C. parents. We have an interview with Professor Dan Goldhaber, and Education ...
Better
/ May 17, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about NAEP, mayoral chartering, and lifetime health care. Fordham's own Eric Osberg tells us why teacher salaries are ...
BLAT
/ May 3, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick discuss meddling in California, extending school days in Boston, and drinking like a pirate. National Alliance for Public Charter ...
Orangelos
/ April 26, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chirp about middle class goodies, friendly Singaporeans, and New Orleans. Checker Finn doesn't like downtown Albuquerque, and Education News ...
I know it was you, Fredo
/ April 19, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about supes, Catholics, and Cubans. We've got an interview with Jonas Chartock of the Charter School Policy Institute, ...
Making lemonade
/ April 12, 2007
This week, an all-Fordham team looks at autonomy gaps, achievement gaps, and teacher quality gaps. We interview Checker Finn about Peru and Ohio, and ...
Sartorial splendor
/ April 5, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about mohair, pandering, and why Chinese students should move to the U.S. We've got an interview with Joe ...
The Importance of Being Earnest: An examination into the nature and causes of several education issues of seminal importance
/ April 1, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick profess their undying love for one another, which everyone already knew, anyway. We tried to interview somebody important, but ...
Textualists
/ March 22, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about how to pay educators, test four-year-olds, and train middle school teachers. Education Week's Mark Walsh stops by ...
No blood for AP
/ March 15, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Michigan, bribery, and lingerie. The Aspen Institute's Gary Huggins stops by to chat about the Commission on No ...
Mr. Hess goes to Selma
/ March 8, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about David Brooks, pizza, and terrorists. We've got an interview with field trip expert Kathy Carroll, and Education ...
Forgive me, Father
/ March 1, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about NAEP, militant Miami soccer moms, and a Fordham report's long-lost twin. Our interview is holier than thou, ...
?A' for effort?
/ February 22, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about Steve Jobs, smart kids, and the Japanese. We've got an interview with the AFT's Michele McLaughlin, and ...
Byzantium? Really?
/ February 1, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick chat about the FDA, why Spitzer loves the folks at Ed Sector, and Al Gore. Mike speaks Sanskrit and ...
The lady in pink
/ January 25, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick discuss Bush's proposal for NCLB reauthorization, how to help kids in Denver, and how to take a robot to ...
No smoking, please
/ January 18, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about big changes in the Big Apple, the rabble-rousing Charles Murray, and the time Mike dressed up as ...
Hug it out
/ January 11, 2007
This week, Mike and Rick talk about why Quality Counts thinks U.S. education is the world's best, kids at Brown have so much time ...
Average Yak Poundage
/ January 4, 2007
This week, Mike and guest co-host, education advocate Dave Deschryver, chat about why management matters, why Checker Finn is not the only conservative in ...
It's the money that counts
/ December 21, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick talk about time machines, fedora-wearing politicos, and the benefits of sucking up. Checker Finn stops by and grants us ...
Yuan a podcast?
/ December 14, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick demand more pledging, less union meddling, and longer speeches from Bill Gates. Our interview with Graham Down about liberal ...
Ogling transfats
/ December 7, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick talk about loopholes, middle class whining, and tough love in the City of Brotherly Love. We have a trying ...
What Iraqi mountain?
/ November 30, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick blast the?Times Magazine?for its naivet?, puzzle over the effect of crack dealers on math scores, and bemoan the error ...
Greattt Success!
/ November 16, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick question Kazakh journalism, Washington consensuses, the Midwest, and airline pay scales. Our interview is, like, hot, and News of ...
Three's company
/ November 9, 2006
This week, Mike, Rick, and guest co-host Dave DeSchryver talk about Argentina, Mexico, waterfalls, money, and, of course, elections. We have an interview with ...
Soothsayers
/ October 26, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick discuss the Upper East Side, adolescent flirting, and the French armed forces. Our interview reveals the true future of ...
Puppies and kittens
/ October 19, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick chat about the Navy, incarceration in Buffalo, and the aesthetic pleasures of Brown Center Reports. We have an interview ...
Did you say Afrikaner?
/ October 12, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick chat about education's talent dearth, why pessimism pays, and inadequate pencilnecks. We have an exclusive interview about student hackers, ...
Ph.D. envy
/ October 5, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick wonder why Texans don't like money, why Russian schools are resegregating, and how long before?02138?goes under. We've got an ...
A niche for everyone
/ September 28, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick discuss the finer points of French pronunciation, the treasures of the Canadian frontier, and Eddie Murphy's lessons for closing ...
An artful brouhaha
/ September 21, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick discuss private charter schools that teach religion and screw over poor kids, why the Pope is demanding school uniforms, ...
Five minutes, Dad!
/ September 14, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick chirp about Fenty's haircut, strategies for good HOUSSEkeeping, and whether Bangalore is the new Cambridge. We've got an interview ...
Zero tolerance
/ September 7, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick mock Malcolm Gladwell (and not because of his hair), praise the?Washington Post's Jay Mathews, and demand the right to ...
A higher education
/ August 31, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick squawk about the SAT, why men need affirmative action, and parents who live through their progeny. We've got an ...
Tasty puffins
/ August 17, 2006
This week, Mike and Education Sector's Sara Mead chat about Bush-Bloomberg opacity, schisms between ed reformers, and how not to offend atheists. We have ...
Gadfly takes a break
/ August 3, 2006
This week, our favorite insect is out of the office, fly fishing on the Rappahannock. Lucky for you, though, there is a new podcast ...
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights
/ July 13, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick mess with Texas, take a trip south of the border, and form education policy for the D.C. government. Lucien ...
One too many caipirinhas
/ June 29, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick discuss why New York's a mess, try to pronounce Latino surnames, and deride statisticians. We ask Sara Mead why ...
Namibian nights
/ June 22, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick examine a brotherly feud in Florida, gamesmanship in Ohio, and Rick?s ability to grow facial hair. We have an ...
Fat American thighs
/ June 15, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick chat about how to walk, chew gum, and teach science at the same time; the D.C. teachers' union's sea ...
Meatloaf: Global citizen
/ June 8, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick chat about the Supreme Court, why Californians don't like preschool, and the U.N.'s subversive influence in Minnesota's schools. Martin ...
Kiwis and cigars
/ June 1, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick talk about the?Wall Street Journal's silliness, dropouts in the ivory tower, and Rick's uncle's smoking habits. Races to the ...
Kids in a candy store
/ May 25, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick discuss how schools should fund chunky students, what accountability has to do with science, and how long to keep ...
Education policy, up in smoke
/ May 18, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick light up California for its half-baked jurisprudence, smoke out why Tampa Bay-area teachers are so sullen, and have an ...
Mulching while schools burn
/ May 11, 2006
This week, Mike's mad that leaders of chronically failing schools are doing yard work while their buildings burn, Rick can't understand why David Brooks ...
Children are our future
/ April 27, 2006
This week, Mike and Rick take shop class to task, debate whether unions should keep their hands off charters, and ask why all EMOs ...
Didactic doldrums
/ April 20, 2006
This week, Mike and guest host Liam Julian contemplate whether states can be trusted to guarantee rigorous curricula and standards, if Omaha is doing ...
You call that a protest?
/ April 13, 2006
On this week's show, Mike and Rick debate whether Nancy Grasmick should run Baltimore's failing schools, why Robert Gordon wants to fire new teachers, ...
Inaugural edition
/ April 6, 2006
Click?here?to listen to our inaugural show on your computer today! ...
