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The Education Gadfly Show

Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Education Policy
School Choice
Education Reform
Charter Schools
Artificial Intelligence
Accountability In Education
Educational Reform
Public Schools
Science Of Reading
NAEP
Education Finance
Immigration
Education Savings Accounts
Private School Choice
School Performance Measurement
High-Dosage Tutoring
Covid-19 Pandemic
Special Education
Career and Technical Education
Student Achievement

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, a... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes559Founded21 years ago
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EducationNewsPolitics

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Artwork for The Education Gadfly Show

Latest Episodes

It’s another Mike Petrilli solo episode of The Education Gadfly Show, and this week he’s tackling some big questions about state education mandates and local control. From recess requirements to curriculum and Science of Reading policies, when should... more

They say everything’s bigger in Texas, but does that include teachers’ paychecks? Mary Lynn Pruneda, director of education and workforce policy at Texas 2036, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss Texas’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA)... more

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Kevin Shafer, president of City Fund, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss efforts to expand access to high-quality public schools across the country. Speaking on his experience with school reform in Camden, New Jersey, Shafer discusses ... more

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Kimberly Richey, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to talk about the latest federal guidance on school discipline and Title VI. What does the Department’s new approach to ... more

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Recent Guests

Mary Lynn Pruneda
Director of Education and Workforce Policy at Texas 2036
Texas 2036
Episode: Texas-sized paychecks for great teachers | Episode 1038 of The Education Gadfly Show
Kevin Shafer
President, City Fund
City Fund
Episode: Are portfolio districts the future—or the past? | Episode 1037 of The Education Gadfly Show
Kimberly Richey
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Department of Education
Episode: School discipline: A new rulebook (again) | Episode 1036 of The Education Gadfly Show
Ian Rowe
Founder of Vertex Partnership Academies; Senior Fellow at AEI; Trustee at Fordham Institute
Vertex Partnership Academies; American Enterprise Institute; Fordham Institute
Episode: Family structure, school choice, and a mother’s regrets | Episode 1035 of The Education Gadfly Show
Brian Fitzpatrick
Filling in for Amber for the Research Minute
Fordham Institute
Episode: AI in schools: Ban it or embrace it? | Episode 1034 of The Education Gadfly Show
Checker Finn
President Emeritus of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Thomas B. Fordham Institute
Episode: Head Start needs reforming, not dismantling | Episode 1032 of The Education Gadfly Show
Andrew Camp
Senior Research Associate at the Annenberg Institute
Annenberg Institute
Episode: Can a funding surge close the charter school gap? | Episode 1030 of The Education Gadfly Show
Collin Hitt
Executive Director of the Policy Research and Education Center
St. Louis University
Episode: Can a funding surge close the charter school gap? | Episode 1030 of The Education Gadfly Show
Josh Harder
U.S. Representative, California's 9th District
Congressional Office of Josh Harder
Episode: Reviving federal ed reform, starting with literacy | Episode 1029 of The Education Gadfly Show

Hosts

Mike Petrilli
Host of The Education Gadfly Show
David Griffith
Co-host of The Education Gadfly Show

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings
  • Testing

    Here’s the thing you missed in your April discussion about state testing: the teachers and children who endure it year after year are humans. Sure, you need the data, but the testing format and rules are awful because the atmosphere is foreign and miserable. Testing weeks are demoralizing for all involved because there is no reward for doing well, and everyone is so worried about breaking a rule. Your researchers better go back to the drawing board to make testing happen in short spurts with qui... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    DA DUDE IZ ME!
    United States2 years ago
  • Among the best education podcasts

    The coverage is grand in breadth and depth with a keen eye for current trends and historical references. It’s a quality podcast with matter-of-fact coverage and helps you evolve your thinking on the myriad of issues at play as we all (in our own ways) work to improve educational and life outcomes for all of the students, families, and educators the education system serves.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DJCurrySpice
    United States5 years ago
  • Informative and enteraining!

    A super interesting look at educational policy in an easy to consume package! The Education Gadfly Show features fascinating guests and great conversation. It's a must listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arlie K
    United States6 years ago
  • Witty and engaging!

    Big fan of their guests and the topics they cover. They're great at getting many perspectives.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pedroalen
    United States6 years ago
  • Well-informed and fun policy and politics

    Even if you don’t agree with many of Education Gadfly’s positions - I’m at best mixed on that score - this is a reliably well-informed, fun, and witty discussion of the most pressing policy and political issues in education. Should be on your subscription short list.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Charliejrz
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Engaging, balanced debates with thoughtful guests.
In-depth coverage of timely education policy issues.
Guests bring diverse perspectives, keeps discussions lively.
Strong research backbone; clear policy implications.
Accessible, informative take on complex education topics.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Texas-sized paychecks for great teachers | Episode 1038 of The Education Gadfly Show
Q: What is the Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment and how does it work?
TIA is a statewide entitlement program that pays teachers based on a district's merit-pay system across four tiers (acknowledged, recognized, exemplary, masters), with funding routed through school districts and shared backing by Texas Tech University to standardize comparisons; it's designed to be portable and part of the funding formula and pension calculations.
Are portfolio districts the future—or the past? | Episode 1037 of The Education Gadfly Show
Q: What lessons come from Camden's Renaissance model?
Camden's model showed that combining autonomous, charter-like school operation with district-backed neighborhood schools and significant facilities investment can raise outcomes and stabilize enrollment, provided there is broad support and a durable governance framework.
Are portfolio districts the future—or the past? | Episode 1037 of The Education Gadfly Show
Q: What is the most durable path for improving urban public schools?
Kevin argues that a 'both-and' approach tends to be more durable: grow high-quality charters and, where possible, partner with districts to transform existing schools, backed by strong state policy and community buy-in. The key is sustainability and protection from political turnover, not choosing one path exclusivity.
Reviving federal ed reform, starting with literacy | Episode 1029 of The Education Gadfly Show
Q: How might the Read Act affect states differently, and what are the concerns about federal overreach?
The discussion covers incentives for states with lower reading achievement and worries about federal control of curriculum, with emphasis on a balanced, implementation-focused approach.
Reviving federal ed reform, starting with literacy | Episode 1029 of The Education Gadfly Show
Q: What are the risks if a new National Reading Panel gets it wrong or is captured by balanced literacy advocates?
The guests discuss the need for a refresh that addresses past gaps, emphasizes implementation, and avoids partisan or single-ideology capture by ensuring broad stakeholder involvement.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Education Gadfly Show

What is The Education Gadfly Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show concentrates on education policy, reform, and funding, with a steady cadence of policy analysis led by a veteran host duo and reinforced by data-driven research recaps. Episodes frequently explore federal and state policy like ESSA, reading science, and workforce-aligned schooling, paired with case studies from specific districts or states. A recurring Research Minute adds empirical context to the discussion, keeping conversations anchored in findings from recent studies. Noteworthy is the blend of sharp policy critique, practical governance insights, and a bias toward evidence-based approaches, often balancing bipartisan perspectives with rigorous debate. This makes it valuable for listeners such as policymakers, researchers, and ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Education Gadfly Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Education Gadfly Show:

1. The Education Exchange
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Radio Atlantic
4. The Permanent Questions With David Brooks
5. The Daily

How many episodes of The Education Gadfly Show are there?

The Education Gadfly Show launched 21 years ago and published 559 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Education Gadfly Show?

Recent guests on The Education Gadfly Show include:

1. Mary Lynn Pruneda
2. Kevin Shafer
3. Kimberly Richey
4. Ian Rowe
5. Brian Fitzpatrick
6. Checker Finn
7. Andrew Camp
8. Collin Hitt

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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