Articles and Blog Posts — Robert Pondiscio

Keep kids learning while school is out: Bring back “current events”

Robert PondiscioJune 8, 2020

Saving the science of reading from becoming the next edu-fad

Robert PondiscioJune 8, 2020

Ed reform’s lost decade: Twilight of the technocrats

Robert PondiscioDecember 30, 2019

Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school

A nation that cannot agree whether its original flag is a symbol of pride or oppression is not one prepared to reach consensus on what its children should learn in school.

civics education, education reform, school choice, teaching and learningRobert PondiscioAugust 30, 2019

No apologies for “no excuses” charter schools

The greatest victory of anti-charter activists has been turning the charter school sector against its own most successful model.

education reform, school choice, teaching and learningRobert PondiscioAugust 30, 2019

The Lost Children of Hirsch: Will a fresh argument for content-rich curricula make a difference?

The lack of curricular content in K-12 education has not gone unnoticed. It’s gone unaddressed.

literacy and curriculum, teaching and learningRobert PondiscioAugust 7, 2019

How much knowledge is necessary for comprehension?

Can we predict the point at which a lack of background knowledge and vocabulary is fatal to comprehension?

literacy and curriculumRobert PondiscioJuly 31, 2019

A Debate About Unschooling

There will always be a role for adults and authority figures to guide us toward the valuable, the beautiful, and the enduring.

school choiceRobert PondiscioJuly 24, 2019

How to help students think critically

Critical thinking can be taught. But there are no shortcuts or workarounds

research, teaching and learningRobert PondiscioJuly 10, 2019

The Power of Positive Deviance

A Macarthur “genius” has a powerful plan to lift families from poverty. Will it work in education?

The Making of an Edu-Myth: The 30-Million-Word Gap Has Not Been “Debunked”

The language children hear at home from birth to four matters. A lot.

If Education Advocacy Were More Like Pharmaceutical Ads

Everything we do in schools requires trade-offs and has potential side effects—some of which you might not like.

The Freedom to Teach Well

A golden opportunity is missed to demand better training and preparation.

Slouching Toward Aristocracy

Everything in education can and will be gamed by the affluent and privileged. Eliminating objective merit only makes it worse.

Cultivating gratitude is the first job of civics education

If our children do not feel invested in America, why would they work to improve it?

civics education, researchRobert PondiscioMarch 13, 2019

Using Kids as Political Props

Here’s a handy rule of thumb. Don’t.

civics education, teaching and learning, education reformRobert PondiscioMarch 6, 2019

Florida’s Opportunity to Go Big or Go Home on School Choice

The political stars are in perfect alignment for the state’s Republicans.

school choice, education reformRobert PondiscioFebruary 6, 2019

Thinking about classroom practice: Five ideas for ed reformers

Shifting education reform’s focus from policy to practice.

teaching and learning, literacy and curriculum, education reformRobert PondiscioJanuary 23, 2019

Which Candidate Would You Want Your Child’s School Named After?

Don’t act like we’re drinking buddies. Act like you want us to name our kids’ schools after you.

civics educationRobert PondiscioJanuary 11, 2019

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