On the negative NAEP news, and the real reason screen time is hurting student learning | Episode 986 of The Education Gadfly Show

This 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 content

• The Best Takes on the Worst NAEP Scores Ever —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLED
• Schools, but not states, should ban phones —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLED
• Cellphone bans are not enough —Henry Seton for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute
• Student Test Scores Keep Falling. What’s Really to Blame? —Martin R. West, Education Week
• Pay Attention, Kid!—Daniel T. Willingham, EducationNext
• The Effects of Universal School Vouchers on Private School Tuition and Enrollment: A National Analysis —Douglas N. Harris and Gabriel Olivier, REACH (2025)

Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org