The Education Gadfly Show

This 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, SchooledThe end of MCAS is the end of an era. Now let’s figure out what comes next. —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWho wants to be a teacher? — Robert Chung, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWho wants to be a teacher? — Brendan Bartanen, Andrew Avitabile, and Andrew Kwok, EdWorking Papers (2025)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

This 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 B. Fordham InstituteHere’s how we hold on to experienced teachers: Give them the support they need —Linda Darling-Hammond and Michael J. Petrilli for the Hechinger ReportCan Schools Change Religious Attitudes? — Benjamin W. Arold, Ludger Woessmann and Larissa Zierow, The Journal of Human Resources (2025)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

This week, Mike Petrilli flies solo to discuss New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s proposal to eliminate gifted education in the early grades—and how progressives can be persuaded to champion advanced learning opportunities for all students.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam Tyner reviews a new study on how parental education shapes excellence gaps among students.Recommended content: How can we depolarize “gifted education”? —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLEDBuilding a wider, more diverse pipeline of advanced learners — The National Working Group on Advanced EducationThe war against gifted education continues, Zohran Mamdani edition —James Pethokoukis, Faster, PleaseGifted, talented and Zohran Mamdani —The Wall Street JournalFive facts about the first-generation excellence gap —Uditi Karna, John A. List, Andrew Simon and Haruka Uchida, NBER 2025Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

This 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-driven “job apocalypse” push the best and brightest into teaching? —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWho’s on Board? School boards and political representation in an age of conflict —David M. Houston and Michael T. Hartney for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute (October 2025)Upcoming webinar on October 14 at 3:00 PM ET: Are school boards out of touch with their constituents?Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

This 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 reflect the purposes of public education —Laura Hamilton, Center for Assessment#971: A “Quality Check” on school accountability, with Tom Toch and Lynn Olson —The Education Gadfly ShowDo we know how to measure school quality? —Van Schoales, Education WeekGender Gaps in the Early Grades: Questioning the Narrative that Schools are Poorly Suited to Young Boys — Megan Kuhfeld and Margaret Burchinal, Annenberg Institute at Brown University (2025)Redshirt the boys—Richard V. Reeves for The AtlanticFeedback Welcome: Have ideas for our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

This 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 A. Gist for the Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWhy I’m wary of universal education savings accounts —Chester E. Finn, Jr., Thomas B. Fordham InstituteDoing educational equity right: School finance —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. FordhamTeacher Staffing Trends in California: Assessing the Impact of Recent Spending —Julien Lafortune, Iwunze Ugo, and Brett Guinan, PPIC (2025)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

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 contentThe Best Takes on the Worst NAEP Scores Ever —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLEDSchools, but not states, should ban phones —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLEDCellphone bans are not enough —Henry Seton for the Thomas B. Fordham InstituteStudent Test Scores Keep Falling. What’s Really to Blame? —Martin R. West, Education WeekPay Attention, Kid!—Daniel T. Willingham, EducationNextThe 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

Ashley Jochim, principal at the Center on Reinventing Public Education and mom of four, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith on the Education Gadfly Show to continue our debate on private school choice and regulation. She also discusses how Democrats’ defense of public schools often clashes with families’ real experiences, and why clear, consumer-facing information is essential to making choice work. On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner highlights a new NBER study from Chicago showing that giving principals more autonomy can boost student achievement— though effects vary widely depending on leadership capacity.Recommended content Unfettered Choice Has Not Delivered on Promises to Milwaukee Families —Ashley Jochim, Education NextInnovation, regulation, and school choice, with Mike McShane | Episode 984 of The Education Gadfly Show Overregulated charter schools: Fact or fiction? —Michael J. PetrilliThe mixed blessing of new school measures—Chester E. Finn, Jr.When decentralization works: Leadership, local Needs, and student achievement—C. Kirabo Jackson, NBER (2025)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

Mike McShane, Director of National Research for EdChoice, joins us on the Education Gadfly Show to debate tradeoffs when it comes to regulation and innovation in the charter school and private school choice sectors.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam Tyner shares a report from the Urban Institute looking at college and career indicators and how they relate to research on post-high school outcomes. Recommended content: On school choice:Overregulated charter schools: Fact or fiction? —Michael J. PetrilliSchool choice should take the road less traveled —Robert Enlow and Michael Q. McShane, Education Next Charter school regulation means keeping the destination in sight —Thibaut DelloueFrom the Research Minute:Which college and career readiness standards best align with positive outcomes after high school? —Kristin Blagg, The Urban Institute (July 2025) The vibes for career-tech programs are great. But they’re too rare. —Michael J. Petrilli--Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for our show? Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org

Jonathan Travers, President of ERS and expert in school district finance, joins the conversation to tackle the complexities of managing budgets during unpredictable times. He discusses the impact of fluctuating revenues and housing values on educational funding. Additionally, Travers critiques the effectiveness of master’s degree premiums in teacher compensation, suggesting smarter spending for better outcomes. The episode also weaves in playful anecdotes about the excitement surrounding the upcoming football season.