Welcome to SCHOOLED, by Mike Petrilli

Welcome to the inaugural edition of SCHOOLED, by Mike Petrilli. I know what you’re thinking: Woot woot, another Substack newsletter! Just what we needed! More email! More stuff to read!

I get it. So allow me to give my pitch.

My hope is that this newsletter will re-start the ed reform conversation. I say “re-start” because I’m old enough to remember a time when there was a real conversation among those of us involved in reform—from the left, right, and center—about what was working, what wasn’t, where to go next, and what the whole point of our movement was really about.

I’m thinking of the early days of blogging, and then the early days of Twitter, before the Internet turned into a rage-filled cesspool. I’m also thinking about the best ed reform conferences—thankfully still happening—like those hosted by the PIE Network, ExcelinEd, and NewSchools, where we hash things out and have a chance to listen, persuade, and be persuaded.

Here’s what you’ll get from SCHOOLED—to be published twice a week, typically Tuesday and Friday mornings, with occasional breaks:

• The Opening Bell: My quick take on the breaking education news of the moment

• The Bulletin Board: A round-up of other education opinions and analyses across the interwebs

• Pass/Fail and Required Reading: Quick cheers and jeers for the week’s education ideas, plus a curated list of must-read articles you won’t want to miss

• Classroom Chatter: An occasional look at interesting debates happening on social media, including LinkedIn, where many great discussions now live

But the most important part of this newsletter will be reactions from YOU. I want to feature feedback, pushback, and friendly amendments to what you’re reading here, or in other places. Let’s make this a conversation, people! You can respond to this email, comment on Substack (here), or email me at SCHOOLED@fordhaminstitute.org. Anonymous comments are OK. Let the conversation begin again!

I’ll be back on Tuesday with the first “real” edition. In the meantime, sign up here to keep receiving the newsletter, and don’t forget to check out the Fordham Institute’s other offerings: The Education Gadfly, The Education Gadfly Show Podcast, and Late Late Bell.

See ya next week!

Mike