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
Nov 13, 2019 • 21min
The Scarcity of High-Quality Early Childhood Education - 11/13/19
On this week’s podcast, Carrie Gillispie, senior analyst in P–12 policy at The Education Trust, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about the state of early childhood education for students of color. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the long-term impacts of special education.
Nov 6, 2019 • 23min
NAEP 2019: It (was) the economy, stupid - 11/06/19
On this week’s podcast, Marty West, a Harvard professor of education, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about last week’s NAEP results and their relationship to the Great Recession. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how graduation requirements affect arrest rates.
Oct 30, 2019 • 19min
On education, Warren’s got a pander for that - 10/30/19
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith talk to Checker Finn about Senator Warren’s flawed education proposal. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines improvements to the student teaching experience that can help candidates feel more prepared for success in the classroom.
Oct 23, 2019 • 18min
Early warning: Kindergarten readiness skills are trending downward - 10/23/19
On this week’s podcast, Megan Kuhfeld, a research scientist at NWEA, joins Mike Petrilli to discuss her recent, sobering findings about the reading and math skills of children entering kindergarten. On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner examines how “stereotype threat” affects the results of cognitive ability tests.
Oct 16, 2019 • 22min
Why the Big Easy’s big gains are over - 10/16/19
On this week’s podcast, Doug Harris, director of the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the progress, and recent plateauing, of NOLA’s ed reforms. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how earning college credit in high school via AP exams affects postsecondary course-taking.
Oct 9, 2019 • 32min
Research Deep Dive: Everything we know about effective teachers - 10/09/19
On this week’s podcast, Dan Goldhaber, the director of CALDER, joins Mike Petrilli, David Griffith, and Amber Northern on the first edition of our research deep dive series to discuss what rigorous research says about identifying, developing, and retaining effective teachers.
Oct 2, 2019 • 20min
Charter schools lift all boats - 10/02/19
On this week’s podcast, Nina Rees, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance for Public Charter School, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about David’s new Fordham study of how charter market share affects student achievement for kids in both charter and district schools. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines how the geographic isolation of K–12 schools affects education policies.
Sep 25, 2019 • 24min
The meaning of Success Academy's success - 09/25/19
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli and David Griffith talk with Robert Pondiscio about his new book on Success Academy. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines whether providing more information to college admissions officers boosts the acceptance odds for low-income students.
Sep 18, 2019 • 21min
All about AP - 09/18/19
On this week’s podcast, Mike Petrilli talks with Checker Finn and Andrew Scanlan about their new book on the past, present, and future of Advanced Placement. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern explores why Texas’s fracking boom was a bust for its schools.
Sep 11, 2019 • 25min
Parents’ role in school improvement - 09/11/19
On this week's podcast, Patrick Corvington, executive director of DC School Reform Now, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to offer advice on how parents can play a role in improving their kids' schools. On the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines the academic effects of early interventions for children born at a low birth-weight.
