Michael Petrilli
@michaelpetrilli.bsky.social
President of the Fordham Institute, executive editor of Education Next, proud father.
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
{new} The rate at which teachers leave the profession has been remarkably stable for the last 40 years.
Read my latest for @educationnext.bsky.social --> www.educationnext.org/are-teachers...
Read my latest for @educationnext.bsky.social --> www.educationnext.org/are-teachers...
Are Teachers Abandoning Teaching?
On the contrary, data show teacher turnover remains consistently low
www.educationnext.org
December 18, 2025 at 2:29 PM
{new} The rate at which teachers leave the profession has been remarkably stable for the last 40 years.
Read my latest for @educationnext.bsky.social --> www.educationnext.org/are-teachers...
Read my latest for @educationnext.bsky.social --> www.educationnext.org/are-teachers...
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
I'd also add that I wish we saw more federal leadership on education, at least bully pulpit work drawing attention to the fact that we need to do better for the nation's students.
December 17, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I'd also add that I wish we saw more federal leadership on education, at least bully pulpit work drawing attention to the fact that we need to do better for the nation's students.
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
I do feel like we've turned a corner based on the reaction to stories like those about the UCSD report, but I'll believe that things have really changed when we see policy changes. Also, I'm sure my views are colored by living in WA state, which is very anti testing.
December 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I do feel like we've turned a corner based on the reaction to stories like those about the UCSD report, but I'll believe that things have really changed when we see policy changes. Also, I'm sure my views are colored by living in WA state, which is very anti testing.
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
Episode 999 altert!
I love the year end summaries, especially when it's about ed policy/research. And while I might change the emphases - a bit less optimistic - this one is great.
👇
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
I love the year end summaries, especially when it's about ed policy/research. And while I might change the emphases - a bit less optimistic - this one is great.
👇
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
The good, the bad, and the best research of 2025 | Episode 999 of The Education Gadfly Show
This week, Mike Petrilli looks back at the highs and lows of education reform in 2025 as we wrap up our final episode of the year.
fordhaminstitute.org
December 17, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Episode 999 altert!
I love the year end summaries, especially when it's about ed policy/research. And while I might change the emphases - a bit less optimistic - this one is great.
👇
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
I love the year end summaries, especially when it's about ed policy/research. And while I might change the emphases - a bit less optimistic - this one is great.
👇
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
Workers are feeling increasingly anxious about losing their jobs in a tough labor market...and those with higher education levels aren't exempt. The prospect of AI being used for job cuts is scaring people.
www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
December 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Workers are feeling increasingly anxious about losing their jobs in a tough labor market...and those with higher education levels aren't exempt. The prospect of AI being used for job cuts is scaring people.
www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
Smart, from Josh Barro, especially: "Many of the people who have pushed this anti-assessment agenda are the same people who lament declining political support for educational institutions and declining funding for their activities."
December 14, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Smart, from Josh Barro, especially: "Many of the people who have pushed this anti-assessment agenda are the same people who lament declining political support for educational institutions and declining funding for their activities."
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
Four day school weeks are featured prominently in my upcoming book about bad ideas in education because they are one of the absolute worst ideas in education.
Of all the terrible ideas...
Toledo Public Schools is considering a four-day week. This is a TERRIBLE move for rural schools, but at least you can understand the argument wrt long bus rides. But an urban district? Despicable! www.toledoblade.com/local/educat...
Toledo Public Schools is considering a four-day week. This is a TERRIBLE move for rural schools, but at least you can understand the argument wrt long bus rides. But an urban district? Despicable! www.toledoblade.com/local/educat...
Toledo Public Schools considering sweeping cuts and changes
Toledo Public Schools is bracing for millions in state and local funding cuts beginning in 2026, a shortfall that district leaders say will force sweeping ...
www.toledoblade.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Four day school weeks are featured prominently in my upcoming book about bad ideas in education because they are one of the absolute worst ideas in education.
Of all the terrible ideas...
Toledo Public Schools is considering a four-day week. This is a TERRIBLE move for rural schools, but at least you can understand the argument wrt long bus rides. But an urban district? Despicable! www.toledoblade.com/local/educat...
Toledo Public Schools is considering a four-day week. This is a TERRIBLE move for rural schools, but at least you can understand the argument wrt long bus rides. But an urban district? Despicable! www.toledoblade.com/local/educat...
Toledo Public Schools considering sweeping cuts and changes
Toledo Public Schools is bracing for millions in state and local funding cuts beginning in 2026, a shortfall that district leaders say will force sweeping ...
www.toledoblade.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Of all the terrible ideas...
Toledo Public Schools is considering a four-day week. This is a TERRIBLE move for rural schools, but at least you can understand the argument wrt long bus rides. But an urban district? Despicable! www.toledoblade.com/local/educat...
Toledo Public Schools is considering a four-day week. This is a TERRIBLE move for rural schools, but at least you can understand the argument wrt long bus rides. But an urban district? Despicable! www.toledoblade.com/local/educat...
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
I enjoyed joining @michaelpetrilli.bsky.social to discuss the new mythologies of higher education. Net tuition is not soaring, the value of a degree is not plummeting and neither is four-year college enrollment.
educationgadflyshow.substack.com/p/is-the-col...
educationgadflyshow.substack.com/p/is-the-col...
Is the “college enrollment crisis” a myth?
Episode 998 of The Education Gadfly Show
educationgadflyshow.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:36 PM
I enjoyed joining @michaelpetrilli.bsky.social to discuss the new mythologies of higher education. Net tuition is not soaring, the value of a degree is not plummeting and neither is four-year college enrollment.
educationgadflyshow.substack.com/p/is-the-col...
educationgadflyshow.substack.com/p/is-the-col...
My Fordham Institute colleagues David Griffith and Jill Hoppe on a recent study by Michael Hartney & @dmhouston.bsky.social
Better Schools Start with Better School Board Elections www.the74million.org/article/bett... @the74.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social
Better Schools Start with Better School Board Elections www.the74million.org/article/bett... @the74.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social
Better Schools Start with Better School Board Elections
Griffith and Hoppe: Aligning school board contests with November elections can improve turnout and representation.
www.the74million.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:57 PM
My Fordham Institute colleagues David Griffith and Jill Hoppe on a recent study by Michael Hartney & @dmhouston.bsky.social
Better Schools Start with Better School Board Elections www.the74million.org/article/bett... @the74.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social
Better Schools Start with Better School Board Elections www.the74million.org/article/bett... @the74.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
@michaelpetrilli.bsky.social with a nice roundup of responses to that "debunking" of the Mississippi Miracle (which was pretty thin gruel, I agree). Really enjoying this newsletter - worth the (free) subscription. schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/debunking-...
Debunking the debunkers on the Mississippi Miracle
SCHOOLED | Friday, 12/5/25
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
@michaelpetrilli.bsky.social with a nice roundup of responses to that "debunking" of the Mississippi Miracle (which was pretty thin gruel, I agree). Really enjoying this newsletter - worth the (free) subscription. schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/debunking-...
Wow, good for Governor Polis!
Colorado governor plans to opt into Trump-endorsed initiative that some fear will lead to voucher program
coloradosun.com/2025/12/05/c...
Colorado governor plans to opt into Trump-endorsed initiative that some fear will lead to voucher program
coloradosun.com/2025/12/05/c...
Colorado governor plans to opt into Trump-endorsed initiative that some fear will lead to voucher program
The federal program would dole out scholarships to both public and private school students through donations from taxpayers in exchange for federal tax credits
coloradosun.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Wow, good for Governor Polis!
Colorado governor plans to opt into Trump-endorsed initiative that some fear will lead to voucher program
coloradosun.com/2025/12/05/c...
Colorado governor plans to opt into Trump-endorsed initiative that some fear will lead to voucher program
coloradosun.com/2025/12/05/c...
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
One of THE hardest conversations to have in progressive spaces is about supporting public ed and what that means.
Part of that is accepting it's a conservative (small c) project and that means that sometimes, Conservatives (big C) are worth listening to and make good allies.
Case in point.
Part of that is accepting it's a conservative (small c) project and that means that sometimes, Conservatives (big C) are worth listening to and make good allies.
Case in point.
Longtime GOP staffer Vic Klatt comes out of retirement to write:
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
The Trump administration recently proposed shifting Department of Education programs to other agencies, mostly the Labor Department. A few of the ideas makes sense. But overall, the proposal is nuts—a...
fordhaminstitute.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:58 PM
One of THE hardest conversations to have in progressive spaces is about supporting public ed and what that means.
Part of that is accepting it's a conservative (small c) project and that means that sometimes, Conservatives (big C) are worth listening to and make good allies.
Case in point.
Part of that is accepting it's a conservative (small c) project and that means that sometimes, Conservatives (big C) are worth listening to and make good allies.
Case in point.
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
What do knowledgeable GOP ed leaders think of Linda "A1" McMahon moving Ed programs to the Dept of Labor?
"absurd on its face."
"absurd on its face."
Longtime GOP staffer Vic Klatt comes out of retirement to write:
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
The Trump administration recently proposed shifting Department of Education programs to other agencies, mostly the Labor Department. A few of the ideas makes sense. But overall, the proposal is nuts—a...
fordhaminstitute.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:25 PM
What do knowledgeable GOP ed leaders think of Linda "A1" McMahon moving Ed programs to the Dept of Labor?
"absurd on its face."
"absurd on its face."
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
A smart conservative points out the obvious
Longtime GOP staffer Vic Klatt comes out of retirement to write:
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
The Trump administration recently proposed shifting Department of Education programs to other agencies, mostly the Labor Department. A few of the ideas makes sense. But overall, the proposal is nuts—a...
fordhaminstitute.org
December 4, 2025 at 2:20 PM
A smart conservative points out the obvious
Longtime GOP staffer Vic Klatt comes out of retirement to write:
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
The Trump administration recently proposed shifting Department of Education programs to other agencies, mostly the Labor Department. A few of the ideas makes sense. But overall, the proposal is nuts—a...
fordhaminstitute.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Longtime GOP staffer Vic Klatt comes out of retirement to write:
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
Moving K–12 programs to the Department of Labor is neither smart nor conservative
fordhaminstitute.org/national/com...
AGREE OR DISAGREE?
A pro-ed-reform president would cure the blue-state blues schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/a-pro-ed-r... @conorpwilliams.bsky.social @cedr.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social @mattbarnum.bsky.social @kevincarey1.bsky.social @matthewakraft.com @chingos.bsky.social
A pro-ed-reform president would cure the blue-state blues schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/a-pro-ed-r... @conorpwilliams.bsky.social @cedr.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social @mattbarnum.bsky.social @kevincarey1.bsky.social @matthewakraft.com @chingos.bsky.social
A pro-ed-reform president would cure the blue-state blues
SCHOOLED | Tuesday, 12/2/25
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
AGREE OR DISAGREE?
A pro-ed-reform president would cure the blue-state blues schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/a-pro-ed-r... @conorpwilliams.bsky.social @cedr.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social @mattbarnum.bsky.social @kevincarey1.bsky.social @matthewakraft.com @chingos.bsky.social
A pro-ed-reform president would cure the blue-state blues schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/a-pro-ed-r... @conorpwilliams.bsky.social @cedr.bsky.social @mpolikoff.bsky.social @mattbarnum.bsky.social @kevincarey1.bsky.social @matthewakraft.com @chingos.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
Man, I’ve been saying it for some time now, but at some point the urban ed reform ppl have GOT to get talking to the YIMBY ppl and the urbanists ppl.
Way back in 2018 I did a walking tour of Vancouver with @brenttoderian.bsky.social and he explained how that city overcame this problem. You need family-sized units & also, crucially, *good urban schools*.
Young families typically leave cities for the suburbs. Here’s how to keep them downtown.
Urbanist Brent Toderian explains how Vancouver held onto its families.
www.vox.com
December 1, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Man, I’ve been saying it for some time now, but at some point the urban ed reform ppl have GOT to get talking to the YIMBY ppl and the urbanists ppl.
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
Yes. As I wrote to Mike, reformers shouldn't fetishize endless triangulations towards the perceived political center—not least because that center is nothing fixed. Serious progressive reform should be presented in strenuously progressive terms about fairness, justice, and access to opportunity.
Blue-state ed reform is different, not dead
So argues @mpolikoff.bsky.social @conorpwilliams.bsky.social Heather Peske, and Marguerite Roza.
Do you agree?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/blue-state...
So argues @mpolikoff.bsky.social @conorpwilliams.bsky.social Heather Peske, and Marguerite Roza.
Do you agree?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/blue-state...
Blue-state ed reform is different, not dead
SCHOOLED | Tuesday, 11/25/25
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Yes. As I wrote to Mike, reformers shouldn't fetishize endless triangulations towards the perceived political center—not least because that center is nothing fixed. Serious progressive reform should be presented in strenuously progressive terms about fairness, justice, and access to opportunity.
Blue-state ed reform is different, not dead
So argues @mpolikoff.bsky.social @conorpwilliams.bsky.social Heather Peske, and Marguerite Roza.
Do you agree?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/blue-state...
So argues @mpolikoff.bsky.social @conorpwilliams.bsky.social Heather Peske, and Marguerite Roza.
Do you agree?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/blue-state...
Blue-state ed reform is different, not dead
SCHOOLED | Tuesday, 11/25/25
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Blue-state ed reform is different, not dead
So argues @mpolikoff.bsky.social @conorpwilliams.bsky.social Heather Peske, and Marguerite Roza.
Do you agree?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/blue-state...
So argues @mpolikoff.bsky.social @conorpwilliams.bsky.social Heather Peske, and Marguerite Roza.
Do you agree?
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/p/blue-state...
Wait, Betsy DeVos was...right?
Too bad the teacher wasn't armed.
(It sounds like everyone is going to be OK)
Too bad the teacher wasn't armed.
(It sounds like everyone is going to be OK)
3 schoolchildren seriously injured in grizzly bear attack in British Columbia www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Grizzly bear attack in British Columbia seriously injures 3 schoolchildren
Teachers used bear spray and a bear banger to drive the animal away, according to Canadian authorities. A parent said one teacher bore “the whole brunt of it.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Wait, Betsy DeVos was...right?
Too bad the teacher wasn't armed.
(It sounds like everyone is going to be OK)
Too bad the teacher wasn't armed.
(It sounds like everyone is going to be OK)
3 schoolchildren seriously injured in grizzly bear attack in British Columbia www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Grizzly bear attack in British Columbia seriously injures 3 schoolchildren
Teachers used bear spray and a bear banger to drive the animal away, according to Canadian authorities. A parent said one teacher bore “the whole brunt of it.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
3 schoolchildren seriously injured in grizzly bear attack in British Columbia www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Reposted by Michael Petrilli
It’s a big deal IF the Dems don’t win or there are more pressing matters for them address.
November 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
It’s a big deal IF the Dems don’t win or there are more pressing matters for them address.