WonkyFolk CharterFolk

This week Andy and I start out debriefing the ASU-GSV conference and explore why the open and optimistic spirit of that gathering feels so at odds with the vibe that prevails across much of ed reform these days. That leads to a discussion about Andy’s widely read article about ed reformers needing to buck up and realize the progress that has been made in recent decades. That leads me to chime in about the need to keep a decades-long view in order to appreciate the accomplishments of the charter school movement. We then talk about the fact that many ed reformers are in blue contexts, which are also the most difficult politically, and so the voice of those Folk is loud enough to drive the national narrative among ed reformers regarding prospects for continued impact, We close with Andy identifying the political folly of blues at a national level not embracing greater ed reform and charter schools as a way to win over critically needed swing voters.
SHOW NOTES:
ASU-GSV "Brave New World" keynote from Michael MoeVinod Khosla interview from ASU-GSV“Buck Up!” article from Eduwonk Economist on YouGov PollThe live WonkyFolk episode where we both praise Starlee: Video | AudioEduwonk’s Public Relationists V. Achievement Realists Article about Proposal to change a school in Gainesville, Florida to selective admissionsCharterFolk post about charter school history not being "a bucket of ashes."

Jed and Andy record WonkyFolk's first live session as they keynote at the Charter Growth Fund.
WonkyFolk's first live episode discusses the vital role of charter schools and civic engagement in advocating for education reform, particularly within African American and Hispanic communities. Jed and Andy delve into policy-making dynamics, the influence of political affiliations on educational initiatives, and how charter schools can serve as catalysts for community mobilization towards improved educational outcomes. Highlighting the importance of a cohesive advocacy strategy, the podcast also explores the implications of school choice mechanisms like vouchers and Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), advocating for significant policy adjustments to ensure access to high-quality education for all, fulfilling diverse community requirements.
00:00 Welcome to the Wonky Folk Podcast Live Episode!
00:53 Kicking Off with a Live Audience: The Excitement and Challenges
01:48 Charter Schools Advocacy and the Impact of COVID-19
02:57 Navigating the Political Landscape of Charter Schools
07:54 The Importance of Narrative and Controversy in Advocacy
17:07 Exploring School Choice and the Political Divide
26:39 The Future of School Choice in a Polarized Political Climate
32:48 The Struggle for School Choice and Accountability
33:57 The Need for Strong Advocacy and Communication in Education
35:47 Challenges and Successes in Charter School Advocacy
38:30 The Importance of a Unified Advocacy Strategy
43:57 Navigating Political and Policy Challenges in Education Reform
50:13 Building a Stronger Narrative and Policy Agenda for Charter Schools
56:28 Engaging Communities and Shaping the Future of Charter Schools
01:07:57 Closing Remarks and the Path Forward

This week, Andy and I are talking about the furries, a fiscal cliff, higher education, and trade schools.
You can also watch it on YouTube.
Show Notes:
https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/theyre-furious-in-oklahoma-plus-baeslerhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/17/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-improving-student-achievement-agenda-in-2024/Bellwether School Finance: https://bellwether.org/tag/school-finance/Bellwether Admission: https://bellwether.org/beta/admission/Higher Ed Hypocrisy: https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/odds-ends-and-fish-higher-ed-pisa

Greetings, CharterFolk!
This week, Andy and I are talking with Nina Rees, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, regarding charter schools and the American Dream.
For those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube. 
This week some of the topics include:
Introductions (00:01)One of the greatest accomplishments for the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) over the last decade (06:11)How we should we think about charters relative to other choice options and what we need by way of leadership and advocacy (11:30)Nina’s thoughts regarding the most pressing charter issues 11+ years ago v. today (15:21)Nina’s biggest surprise (18:27)A backstage pass to leading and organization like the NAPCS and some of Nina’s enduring memories (24:33)The political leaders who support charter schools during a period of intense polarization, what we can do to support continued bipartisanship, and the importance of future elections (28:47)How to keep a charter base together, especially during vexing issues facing charter schools (34:10)The area Nina would encourage CharterFolk to work on for charter school success (44:11)Nina’s billboard for charter schools, “A ticket to the American Dream” (47:22)
Notes:
You can use the following links to access:
·      The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ report, Believing in Public Education: A Demographic and State-level Analysis of Public Charter School and District Public School Enrollment Trends....

Greetings, CharterFolk!
 This week, Andy and I are talking with David Griffith, Associate Director of Research at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, regarding The Education Competition Index: Quantifying competitive pressure in America’s 125 largest school districts, which indicates the death of traditional public schools has been greatly exaggerated.
 For those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well. 
This week some of the topics include:
Introductions (00:01)A brief description of the study, its findings, and their significance (04:07)The effects of competition generally (06:54)Evolution of the role of competition as advocacy battles intensify and polarization increases (14:54)Other creative ideas to increase competition (16:10)Interesting findings on variation in competition by demographics of students (24:46)Thoughts regarding the ability of new ESAs and voucher programs to increase competition (31:01)Upcoming Fordham studies (39:42)
 Notes:
 You can use the following links to access:
 ·      The Education Competition Index: Quantifying competitive pressure in America’s 125 largest school districts
https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/research/education-competition-index-quantifying-competitive-pressure-americas-125-largest
As ever, I’m eager to hear feedback and suggestions from CharterFolk. So, if you have a chance to listen to the discussion and want to drop me a line with some thoughts, feel free to reach me at jed@charterfolk.org.
If you haven’t yet heard or seen previous volumes of WonkyFolk, you can access them here.
Meanwhile, I thank you once again for being part of the CharterFolk community and for the efforts you are making to improve educational opportunities in our country.

Greetings, CharterFolk!
This week, Andy and I are focused on a Thanksgiving theme. We are talking about what we are thankful for over the last year, personally and professionally, as well as traditions and new results.
For those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well. 
This week some of the topics include:
Welcome back and tales from the trail (00:04)Thanksgiving plans, traditions, and WKRP in Cincinnati’s 1978 Thanksgiving classic episode, “Turkeys Away” (05:58)One positive thing we are each inarguably happy about that happened in charters and/or ed reform over the last year (08:01)CMO leadership transition: promote from within or hire externally (17:15)Virginia election results (30:30)Public school satisfaction polling results: parent, non-parent, and pundit opinions (38:39)
Notes:
You can use the following links to access:
·      WKRP in Cincinnati’s 1978 Thanksgiving episode, “Turkeys Away”: https://www.pjstar.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/11/20/wkrp-turkey-drop-cincinnati-thanksgiving-episode-turkeys-away-les-nessman-streaming/71652621007/
·      Andy Rotherham’s Eduwonk article regarding Virginia’s recent elections, “Vibes And Narratives Are No Way To Go Through Ed Policy Son…Plus Fish!”: https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/vibes-and-narratives-are-no-way-to
·      Matt Barnum’s Chalkbeat article, “The public is souring on American education, but parents still give own child’s school high marks”: https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/9/5/23859890/parents-polling-surveys-schools-american-education-pandemic/
Previous volumes of WonkyFolk can be accessed here.