Thomas B. Fordham Institute
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute is the nation's leader in advancing educational excellence for every child through quality research, analysis, and commentary, as well as on-the-ground action and advocacy in Ohio. We advance: • High standards for schools, students and educators; • Quality education options for families; • A more productive, equitable and efficient education system; and • A culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute promotes education reform by: • Producing rigorous policy research and incisive analysis; • Building coalitions with policy makers, donors, organizations and others who share our vision; and • Advocating bold solutions and comprehensive responses to education challenges, even when opposed by powerful interests and timid establishments. We currently have a Spring internship opening: https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/jobs/research-internwww.fordhaminstitute.org
12
MENTIONS
6
EPISODES
4
PODCASTS
Search complete. 12 mentions across 6 episodes found for "Thomas B. Fordham Institute".
Oct 7, 2026
Mike PetrilliHOST
[upbeat electronic music] Welcome to the Education Gadfly Show.
Mike PetrilliHOST
I'm your host, Mike Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
Mike PetrilliHOST
This week, Kevin Shafer of City Fund joins us to discuss the promise and challenges of district charter partnerships and his experience with school reform in Camden, New Jersey.
Mike PetrilliHOST
Should we try portfolio style reform with districts or just focus on growing high quality charters outside the system? Then on the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines a new study finding that districts losing students have more funding per pupil, but much of that money goes towards reserves, facilities, and more staff rather than higher teacher salaries.
Mike PetrilliHOST
How do we fix this?
David GriffithHOST
What does Gadfly say?
Mike PetrilliHOST
[upbeat electronic music] Hello, this is your host, Mike Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, here at the Education Gadfly Show and online at fordhaminstitute.org. Now please welcome today's special guest, Kevin Shafer.
Mike PetrilliHOST
Kevin, welcome to the show.
Mike PetrilliHOST
Welcome to the Education Gadfly Show.
Mike PetrilliHOST
I'm your host, Mike Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
Mike PetrilliHOST
This week, Kimberly Ritchie, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, joins us to discuss new federal guidance on school discipline and Title VI.
Mike PetrilliHOST
What does the department's new approach to racial discipline disparities mean for schools? Then on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews a new NWEA study examining whether schools are getting Algebra 1 placement right and why students should be allowed to take Algebra as soon as they're ready for it.
39 MINS LATER
Mike PetrilliHOST
And I'm Mike Petrilli of the Thomas
speaker_5NARRATOR
B. Fordham Institute signing off.
speaker_5NARRATOR
The Education Gapfly shows a production of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute located in Washington, D.C., For more information, visit us online at Fordham Institute dot org.
Mike PetrilliHOST
Welcome to the Education Gadfly Show.
Mike PetrilliHOST
I'm your host, Mike Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
Mike PetrilliHOST
This week, Ian Rowe, founder of Vertex Partnership Academies, joins us to discuss Nicole Hannah-Jones' recent reflections on her daughter's education and what her experience says about school choice, parental agency, and family structure.
Mike PetrilliHOST
Plus, why is family structure so often missing from conversations about student achievement, and should education data do more to account for it? Then on the Research Minute, Amber Northern reviews a new study of team-based teaching in Arizona.
Mike PetrilliHOST
Ian is the founder of Vertex Partnership Academies, which is right now a single charter school in New York City, but soon to be more.
Mike PetrilliHOST
We can maybe talk a little bit about that.
Mike PetrilliHOST
Senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and most importantly, a trustee at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, meaning he is one of my bosses.
Mike PetrilliHOST
So I am especially delighted to have him on.
CorrineHOST
Since many schools have banned homework, kids while away their afternoons on social media where proper grammar and syntax are passe.
CorrineHOST
According to a Thomas B. Fordham Institute survey published last week, half of high school students and recent graduates say they use social media during class every day.
CorrineHOST
When devices are supposed to be used for instructional purposes in class, 58% said peers watch videos, use social media, or engage in off-task activities.
CorrineHOST
Are students really to blame? As a result of their less mature brains, kids exhibit less impulse control and self-restraint than adults.
CorrineHOST
Since many schools have banned homework, kids while away their afternoons on social media where proper grammar and syntax are passe.
CorrineHOST
According to a Thomas B. Fordham Institute survey published last week, half of high school students and recent graduates say they use social media during class every day.
CorrineHOST
When devices are supposed to be used for instructional purposes in class, 58% said peers watch videos, use social media, or engage in off-task activities.
CorrineHOST
Are students really to blame? As a result of their less mature brains, kids exhibit less impulse control and self-restraint than adults.
Brian ThomasHOST
Anyway, sorry.
Brian ThomasHOST
According to the Thomas B. Fordham Institute survey published last week, half of high school students and recent graduates say they use social media during class every day.
Brian ThomasHOST
Devices are supposed to be used for instructional purposes in class.
Brian ThomasHOST
58% said peers watch videos, use social media, or engage in off-task activities.