Latest Publications
Center on Education Policy Newsletter
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Latest Publications
A bad time to pick a fight on public education
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: July 15, 2020
The question of whether or not to reopen our public schools has sadly become -- along with social distancing and the wearing of face masks -- a political weapon.
Analysis: Education and Litigation Have a Long History. The Challenges of Teaching & Reopening School in a Pandemic Make Lawsuits Even More Likely
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: June 26, 2020
Education and litigation have a long history and the current crisis will likely add a new and complicated chapter to the story. CEP Executive Director Maria Ferguson talks with education law experts about the legal implications of reopening schools in the age of COVID-19.
For the Common Good: Recommitting to Public Education in a Time of Crisis
Author(s): Nancy Kober, Diane Stark Rentner, and Maria Ferguson
Published: May 28, 2020
This report explains the multiple roles public schools play in American society and discusses why, in this time of upheaval, it is crucial to maintain a robust public education system. A companion report, The History and Evolution of Public Education in the US, examines why public schools were created and how the role played by public schools has evolved over time.
The History and Evolution of Public Education in the US
Author(s): Nancy Kober and Diane Stark Rentner
Published: May 28, 2020
This report explores the history of public education in the United States and discusses the vital role that these schools play in preparing students for civic life.
Facts, beliefs, and misinformation
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: April 8, 2020
COVID-19 once raises the question of why some people hold onto incorrect and even dangerous beliefs despite overwhelming facts and evidence. Can education help change these dangerous habits? Read the full post here, or download a PDF version, below.
Preparing for the workplace of the future
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: March 26, 2020
Advances in technology and increased global competition are changing the workplace. But making sure our schools and our students are ready for the future will be no easy job. Read the column here.
Education and presidential politics
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: January 14, 2020
Both the candidates and the voters seem to care about education in the early stages of a presidential campaign, but how long does the interest really last? CEP Executive Director Maria Ferguson provides an update on the 2020 presidential campaigns and how the candidates are managing some of the more controversial education issues. Read the column here.
What the NAEP results reveal
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: December 17, 2019
The 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) brought with it sobering news about literacy and the stubborn persistence of achievement gaps. CEP Executive Director Maria Ferguson analyzes both the gaps and the bright spots of progress. Read the column here.
A Stronger Future for Evidence-Based School Improvement in ESSA
Author(s): Diane Stark Rentner, Nancy Kober, Maria Ferguson
Published: December 5, 2019
The report is the final in a series that examines state and district efforts to implement the ESSA evidence requirements, and includes observations and recommendations from educators, researchers, and policy-influencers convened by CEP in July 2019. The report highlights how district and state officials executed these new requirements and includes recommended actions for key stakeholders aimed at improving educators’ access to and understanding of school improvement research.
The higher education crisis
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: November 25, 2019
As more students attend college than ever before, higher education remains inequitable, with low-income students and students of color shut out of what many perceive to be top schools. CEP Executive Director Maria Ferguson discusses what Paul Tough’s new book, The Years That Matter Most, reveals about the college admission process and considers recent efforts to help students from less-privileged backgrounds to gain greater access. Read the column here.
A caring society?
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: October 28, 2019
CEP Executive Director Maria Ferguson looks at recent research on the science of adolescent development and asks if America cares enough about its children to use that research to improve adolescent well-being and overcome structural barriers to opportunity and equality. Read the column here.
The opportunities and challenges of ESSA's evidence-based requirements
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: September 23, 2019
Although the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gives state and local leaders more authority and flexibility to select school improvement strategies, the law's evidence-based requirements also presents new challenges around access and capacity. CEP's Executive Director explains how state and local leaders are managing. Read the column here.
District Leader Interviews: How School Districts are Responding to ESSA’s Evidence Requirements for School Improvement
Author(s): Diane Stark Rentner, Nancy Kober
Published: August 27, 2019
This report, based on interviews with officials from five school districts, explores how districts are implementing the Every Student Succeeds Act’s requirements to use evidence-based interventions to improve low-performing schools. The report also includes some recommendations for making research more accessible to educators.
Number of Low-Performing Schools by State in Three Categories (CSI, TSI, and ATSI), School Year 2018-19-July 2019 Update
Author(s): Diane Stark Rentner, Kensie Tanner, Matthew Braun
Published: July 15, 2019
This report is based on information gathered from state education agencies regarding the number of schools in each state that received an accountability designation in SY 2018-19 in accordance with the Every Student Succeeds Act’s requirements. This report was updated in July 2019 to include newly reported numbers for Oklahoma and to correct the number of identified schools in Georgia and Louisiana.
Supporting the best interests of children: An interview with Ann Levett
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: July 1, 2019
CEP Executive Director Maria Ferguson's interview with Savannah (GA) public schools superintendent Ann Levett. Dr. Levett is a native Savannahian who is back home working hard on behalf of all her students. The two discuss how to support the best children during challenging times while continuing to fight for equity and justice for all.
State Leader Interviews: How States are Responding to ESSA’s Evidence Requirements for School Improvement
Author(s): Diane Stark Rentner, Nancy Kober, Matthew Braun
Published: April 29, 2019
This report, based on interviews with officials from seven state departments of education, explores state efforts to assist local educators with selecting evidence-based interventions to improve low-performing schools. The report also contains some recommendations for making research more accessible to educators.
Are Public School Teachers Adequately Compensated?
Author(s): Diane Stark Rentner and Matthew Braun
Published: April 29, 2019
It is difficult to definitively answer the question of whether public school teachers are adequately compensated. To provide context for understanding the research on the adequacy of teacher compensation, this CEP policy brief describes how the public K-12 education system is funded (including how events how the Great Recession impact teacher compensation) and highlights recent analyses of teacher compensation in each of the 50 states.
What’s on the horizon for education policy?
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: February 26, 2018
CEP’s executive director highlights four areas – ESSA implementation, school choice, career and technical education, and funding – that are likely to dominate the federal education policy debates in 2018. Read the column here.
Planning for Progress: After the Tests: How States Share Assessment Data
Author(s): Matthew Frizzell, Diane Stark Rentner, and Nancy Kober
Published: February 8, 2018
A special report in the Planning for Progress series, this report highlights states’ efforts to share assessment results with principals, teachers, and parents. The report is based on responses to a 2017 survey that asked state education leaders about efforts to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act, as well as other CEP research, including teacher focus groups and national surveys of teacher and district leaders.
New Tax Plan Provides Little Cheer for Education
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: January 22, 2018
CEP Executive Director explains how the new tax plan will impact K-12 and postsecondary education. Read the column here.
Planning for Progress: States Reflect on Year One Implementation of ESSA
Author(s): Diane Stark Rentner, Matthew Frizzell, and Nancy Kober
Published: December 11, 2017
Based on a fall 2017 survey of officials from 45 state education agencies, this report highlights early state efforts to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act. The report highlights states’ views on ESSA’s shift in control from the federal government to states and school districts regarding accountability and school improvement activities; stakeholder involvement in state plan development; state capacity to implement ESSA requirements; and the U.S. Department of Education’s assistance in implementing ESSA. The report also addresses the impact of the proposed elimination of Title II-A funding, and support among states for a federal private school voucher program using ESSA funds.
Market-Based Education, Inequality, and Accountability in Chile: Perspectives from a Workshop
Author(s): Maria Ferguson and Nancy Kober
Published: December 1, 2017
In summer 2017, the Center on Education Policy and the Dean and faculty from the Graduate School of Education at the George Washington University joined a group of Chilean education researchers to discuss the impact of Chile’s education voucher system on equity and socioeconomic integration. This captures the major discussion points and key findings from that meeting.
Standing up for Good Research
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: November 27, 2017
CEP Executive Director discusses the need for high-quality research to provide empirical evidence as part of the policy cycle. Read the column here.
Primary and Secondary Education in Azerbaijan: Policy Considerations for the 21st Century
Author(s): Matthew Braun, Christina Davis, Sevinj Mammadova, Anne Matthews
Published: November 1, 2017
In June 2017, the dean of the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development and several doctoral students met with Azerbaijani educational stakeholders in Baku, Azerbaijan to discuss ways to improve that country’s education system. This summary report provides the Azerbaijan Ministry of Education with a set of policy options to consider as it
Little Evidence and Big Consequences: Understanding Special Education Voucher Programs
Author(s): Matthew Braun
Published: October 31, 2017
This report examines the characteristics of state special education voucher programs along with the evidence base on their impact, effectiveness, and quality. The report, which finds that the program characteristics differ considerably across states and that the research is small, dated, and often funded by voucher proponents, identifies major questions and concerns about these programs that have yet to be fully addressed by researchers or policymakers.
3 Ways Congress Can Support Public Education
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: October 23, 2017
CEP Executive Director suggests that Congress needs to provide leadership in three education issues: DACA, oversight of for-profit colleges, and the civic role of public education. Read the column here.
Could American Support for Public Education be Slipping?
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: September 24, 2017
CEP Executive Director comments on the 2017 PDK poll. Read the column here.
Maria Ferguson on NPR's Hear & Now
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: September 13, 2017
NPR's Here & Now’s Jeremy Hobson talks with Maria Ferguson, executive director of the Center on Education Policy at George Washington University, about whether more time in the school day improves learning.
Click here for audio and highlights
A New Push for Integrating College and Career Preparation?
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: August 29, 2017
CEP Executive Director discusses the latest PDK Poll finding that most Americans support classes that teach job or career skills. Read the column here.
Building Competencies for Careers
Author(s): Matthew Frizzell, Matthew Braun, Maria Ferguson, Diane Stark Rentner, & Nancy Kober
Published: May 31, 2017
This report draws on information from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to better understand the value of deeper learning competencies in the labor market. O*NET uses surveys of employees and occupational experts to determine the important characteristics and requirements of more than 900 occupations. CEP researchers and other experts “linked” the knowledge, skills, abilities and work styles required for a diverse sample of 300-plus O*NET occupations to the deeper learning competencies as defined by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The report finds that students will be better prepared for fast-growing jobs if they develop academic mindsets, learn how to communicate effectively, and take an analytical approach to solving problems.
Based on this report, CEP, Alliance for Excellent Education, and Council for a Strong America held a webinar on August 23, 2017. Participants in the webinar discussed the relevance of the key findings of the report as they pertain to increasing career readiness for students across the country. Participants included Maria Ferguson of CEP, General Mike Hall of Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, Sam Whiting of Boeing, and host Jason Amos of Alliance for Excellent Education.
The shape of the Federal Role in Education
Author(s): Maria Ferguson
Published: May 1, 2017
CEP Executive Director explains the powers and limits of federal education policymakers under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Read the column here.
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