Memos to the president on the future of U.S. education policy (Jon Valant, Michael Hansen, Brookings)

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2016/12/07/memos-to-the-president-on-the-future-of-u-s-education-policy/

The 2016 election as a ‘Sputnik’ moment for character education (Jon Valant, Brookings)

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2016/11/11/the-2016-election-as-a-sputnik-moment-for-character-education/

Kaine, Pence, and K-12 Education (Jon Valant, Brookings)

The first presidential debate passed last week without discussion of K-12 education. One possible explanation, I argued last week, is that neither major party has a former governor at the top of the ticket, meaning there is no gubernatorial record on education to flaunt or attack. With K-12 education more central to governors’ portfolios than presidents’ portfolios, discussion about education in presidential elections often focuses on candidates’ records in their home states. However, while this election is unusual in that neither presidential nominee served as governor (only the second time since 1972), it is also unusual in that both vice presidential nominees have served as governor (the first time since 1968). If K-12 education is to receive attention during this debate cycle, Tuesday could be the day.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2016/10/03/kaine-pence-and-k-12-education/

School calendars and Maryland’s Labor Day mess (Jon Valant, Brookings)

https://www.brookings.edu/2016/09/19/school-calendars-and-marylands-labor-day-mess/

Charter schools and local control in New Orleans (Jon Valant, Brookings)

Recent legislative activity in Louisiana has brought attention to school governance questions in New Orleans. Yet, New Orleans schools are no strangers to attention. With a public education system consisting almost entirely of charter schools, and with no traditionally functioning district or residence-based school assignment, the city’s schools have been the subject of heavy scrutiny and debate for a decade. Until now discussion has focused on the merits of a charter-based school system. However, with legislation set to transfer oversight authority from the state to the local school district, New Orleans looks poised to become the subject of a new round of discussion. This time the topic will be a district’s ability to manage a portfolio of charter schools

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/brown-center-chalkboard/posts/2016/05/18-charter-schools-local-control-new-orleans-valant

Probing charter schools’ differential success in urban and nonurban settings (Jon Valant, Brookings)

With the nation’s first state charter school law, from Minnesota, approaching its 25th birthday, we will soon hear more about the past, present, and future of U.S. charter schools. Charter schools are publicly funded, autonomous schools that typically operate alongside district public schools as tuition-free alternatives for families. Few topics in education have attracted as much attention or controversy as charter schools over the last quarter-century, with much of the discussion focused on the effects of these schools on American students and public education.

http://www.brookings.edu/blogs/brown-center-chalkboard/posts/2016/03/04-charter-school-performance-valant