FILL ‘ER UP
The Wall Street Journal features an op-ed by Princess Lyles and Dan Clark, the executive director and lead organizer of the New York school-choice group Democracy Builders, laying out the case for “backfilling.” The term refers to the practice of filling new vacant charter seats as they become available, rather than at set enrollment periods. Though the authors convincingly depict the challenges faced by thousands of parents fighting over a limited number of spaces, Fordham’s Mike Petrilli retorts that backfilling can hinder the development of a coherent school culture and disrupt the learning of students who stay continuously enrolled in charters.
DEBATE TEAM
In light of the ongoing Senate effort to update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Room for Debate blog at the New York Times has gathered some prominent voices to give differing interpretations of what it might mean to “fix” the law. Of course, Fordham’s Michael Petrilli has already detailed what form reauthorization is likely to take.
OHIO UPDATE
Ohio Governor John Kasich has revealed a new education budget proposing a $700 million uptick in statewide funding. Early childhood care and private school vouchers will receive a sizable chunk of the allowance, along with reform efforts for Ohio’s charter sector. Fordham’s Chad Aldis calls the governor’s proposal, which would give charters more facility funding but hold sponsors to a higher level of accountability, an “innovative, bipartisan movement.”
TFA TBD
After thirteen years of rapid expansion, the organizational fabric of Teach for America may be bursting at the seams. A new report details the teacher training group’s impressive growth and its recent struggles with declining member morale and recruitment rates in the face of increasing negative press. Frequently an object of contention in the education debate, TFA is making efforts to reform its practices and enhance flexibility in the coming years.
