Last month, the U.S. Department of Education released an analysis of the federal School Improvement Grants program, which invests in persistently underperforming schools with the expectation that they will turn around. The early results of its most recent $3-billion infusion, as described by Education Week: “mixed.” Two-thirds of the schools made gains in math or reading scores, but the other third saw achievement decline. Program supporters contend that one year of data is not enough to draw conclusions about the program. Critics ask whether taxpayers should expend a single cent more on what they deem a failed experiment.
Who’s right? The Fordham Institute is bringing together three leading voices on urban schooling for a debate on the future of turnarounds: Bellwether Education and Fordham edu-wonk Andy Smarick; the Department of Education’s Carmel Martin; and former Chicago schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard. Register now to join the discussion on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET, with a light breakfast available from 8:30 a.m.
Panelists
 | Andy Smarick, partner at Bellwether Education Partners and Bernard Lee Schwartz senior policy fellow with the Thomas B. Fordham Institute |
 | Carmel Martin, Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development for the U.S. Department of Education |
 | Jean-Claude Brizard, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools |
| Moderator | |
 | Chester E. Finn, Jr., president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute |