3 Things You May Not Know About Charter Schools

Recently, when I announced the release of my newest book on charter schools, a woman I know from the gym wrote me: “So sorry, Sarah—but…

Mashea Ashton Talks Newark, Cory Booker and the Challenges of Launching Her Own School

Mashea Ashton tells the truth, even when it’s hard. Almost three years ago, when she moved to Washington, D.C., to be closer to family, she…

What I’ve Learned in 10 Years of Teaching

I am currently in my 12th year of teaching. I spent my first two years in The Bronx at P.S. 211 and have spent these…

When Educators Act Like Gateways Rather Than Gatekeepers, Students Are More Likely to Get Through College

When I was in middle school, it was pretty clear what my teachers thought of me. I was placed in the slow track, literally named…

These Girls Are Crushing High School Debate Tournaments and Sprinkling Some #BlackGirlGenius Along the Way

Last week, the Super Bowl of high school policy debate competitions—the Tournament of Champions (TOC)—took place at the University of Kentucky. A team must win…

I’m Celebrating How Newark Took Charter Schools From the Fringe to the Center

All parents deserve access to a high-quality school that nurtures and supports their children. But despite best intentions, many Newark parents continue to struggle finding…

Coffee Break: Why Mark Rynone Left Corporate to Help Kids With Special Needs

Mark Rynone considers his passion for education as an outgrowth of family values. After all, his mother, brother and a handful of other relatives work…

Got Questions About Education Reform? I’ve Heard Them All.

As I travel around the country on a 24-city book tour, giving talks and meeting with education reform leaders and activists, I get a lot…

When We Look Closer at the Results in Newark, the Arrow Is Unquestionably Pointed Up

Neerav Kingsland, in my estimation, is one of the premier thinkers (and doers) in the field. His notion of “relinquishment” as an organizing strategy for…

Thought Charter and District Schools Couldn’t Work Together? Newark Has Found a Way

It’s often noted that the original vision for charter schools, championed by legendary teachers’ union leader Al Shanker and others, was that they’d be “laboratories…