The Education Gadfly Show
Thomas B. Fordham Institute
For more than 15 years, the Fordham Institute has been hosting a weekly podcast, The Education Gadfly Show. Each week, you’ll get lively, entertaining discussions of recent education news, usually featuring Fordham’s Mike Petrilli and David Griffith. Then the wise Amber Northern will recap a recent research study. For questions or comments on the podcast, contact its producer, Stephanie Distler, at sdistler@fordhaminstitute.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 9, 2020 • 32min
Two years after Janus, why are teachers unions stronger than ever? - 09/09/20
On this week’s podcast, Colin Sharkey, executive director of the Association of American Educators, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the state of teachers unions two years after Janus v. AFSCME, the Supreme Court case that prevents unions from charging agency fees to non-members. On the Research Minute, Olivia Piontek examines how well elementary school test scores predict high school outcomes.
Sep 2, 2020 • 26min
The politics of school reopenings - 09/02/20
On this week’s podcast, Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, joins Mike Petrilli to discuss why politics seems to be a bigger factor in some school reopening decisions than science. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how school finance reforms and test-based accountability have affected student outcomes.
Aug 26, 2020 • 29min
How America’s best charter schools crushed the Covid-19 challenge - 08/26/20
On this week’s podcast, Gregg Vanourek joins Mike Petrilli to discuss Fordham’s new report that Gregg authored, Schooling Covid-19: Lessons from leading charter networks from their transition to remote learning. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the firmly established benefits of acceleration for gifted children.
Aug 19, 2020 • 23min
On Biden’s education platform - 08/19/20
On this week’s podcast, Tressa Pankovits, associate director of Reinventing America's Schools at the Progressive Policy Institute, joins Mike Petrilli and Olivia Piontek to discuss education platforms in the presidential election campaign. On the Research Minute, Olivia Piontek examines efforts to improve low-performing schools in the U.S.
Aug 12, 2020 • 21min
What about outdoor classes this fall? - 08/12/20
On this week’s podcast, Erin Einhorn, a national reporter for NBC News, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about her recent piece on outdoor classrooms. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how online classes have affected high schools’ curricular options.
Aug 5, 2020 • 28min
Another reason for more school autonomy - 8/5/20
On this week’s podcast, David Osborne, director of the Reinventing America’s Schools Project at the Progressive Policy Institute, joins Checker Finn and David Griffith to talk about how schools can be given autonomy to adapt to students’ varying needs and to external events. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines whether standardized test feedback to parents can boost students’ math outcomes.
Jul 29, 2020 • 27min
Should districts outsource virtual learning? - 07/29/20
On this week’s podcast, Rob Kremer, director of government relations at Pearson, owner of Connections Academy, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss whether school districts should be trying to build online schools on their own or should outsource the role to companies like his. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how charter school growth has affected local teacher quality and student composition.
Jul 22, 2020 • 28min
NAEP’s flawed reading revamp - 07/22/20
On this week’s podcast, Checker Finn and David Griffith discuss the flawed effort to revamp NAEP’s reading framework. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern and David Griffith examine how inequality has affected families’ engagement with online learning during the pandemic.
Jul 15, 2020 • 23min
What the coronavirus resurgence means for reopening schools - 07/15/20
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith discuss whether and how schools should reopen in the fall. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines whether the least educated population groups experienced the worst mortality trends during the 21st century.
Jul 8, 2020 • 30min
Why fall testing could do more harm than good - 07/08/20
On this week’s podcast, Mora Segal, CEO of Achievement Network, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the organization’s latest guidance on assessments for states and districts when school resumes in the fall. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected college students’ graduation, job offers, and future economic expectations.
