Writings and Musings

They Would Do Anything For Their Children

Forbes | March 2, 2020By Jeanne AllenParents v Candidates in Election 2020With American education in a state of mediocrity or worse in many of the nation’s most volatile communities, the absence of a substantive debate on education issues on the national political stage is shocking. Sure, promises of universal healthcare and free college are more…

Jeanne's New Book: An Unfinished Journey; Education & The American Dream

THE PERFECT READ FOR SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK Hot off the presses – and we do mean hot as it was published only days ago – comes an important and seminal read, An Unfinished Journey; Education & The American Dream, by CER’s Founder and CEO Jeanne Allen. Inspired by love of country, her Italian heritage, and this nation’s ongoing…

Education is the Best Antidote for Ignorance

“While it cannot cure everything, education is the best antidote for ignorance.”Dear Friends,I hope you’ve had time to enjoy the company of family and friends this holiday season. My heart goes out to those who are suffering in numerous ways from the tragedies that seem to beset us at every turn. I remain convinced that while it…

Don't Attack Charters Schools–Learn From Them

Forbes | December 14, 2019By Jeanne AllenAs the teachers' union-sponsored “Public Education Forum 2020," winds down in Pittsburgh this weekend, let’s state the obvious truth: our nation’s education system is shockingly failing most students and teachers.On national, international, and local data points, most schools are failing to provide the personalization and mobile economy necessary to teach and…

Special Holiday Commentary 2019

(with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore)‘Twas the night before the debate, when all thru’ the house,  Randi was stirring the Democratic candidates’ house. The strike signs were hung ‘ron the country with care,  In hopes that Ms. Warren soon would be there.   The union agitators were all snug in their red, While visions of…

The Solution to the Teacher Shortage? Entrepreneurial Innovation

By Jeanne AllenAcross the country, states are implementing laws to address what has become reported as an international epidemic -- shortages of teachers not just in the US but in almost every country.  Not only are fewer people with state-required credentials not available to teach, but surveys suggest almost half are considering leaving the profession.To…

TEN ESSENTIAL READS FOR #EDREFORM

  From the CER bookshelf, in honor of #NationalReadABookDay, here are Ten Essential Reads that illuminate the history, progress & character of the authentic #edreform movement. Present and past, the stories told, cases made and the theories behind them are at the heart of how this nation can succeed. No Struggle No Progress: A Warrior’s Life From Black Power to…

NATIONAL STEM ASSESSMENT FALLS SHORT: Catholic schools, girls exceed all other groups

The results of the National 2018 Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL) assessment, focused on critical STEM, skills, are more hopeful than in prior years, but the results remain disappointing.The test of more than 15,000 8th grade students in almost 600 schools across the country shows that fewer than 50% are proficient. The test not only…

The MUELLER REPORT

Dear Friends,The news was blaring this weekend.  All the talk seemed to suggest that the nation was focused almost entirely on the release of the Mueller Report. It’s been that way for months. And now it’s out. We’re told the nation is riveted, waiting to learn what’s inside.And that does indeed seem to be the…

Occasional Letter to Friends | Summer 2018

The Center for Education Reform | Occasional Letter to Friends | Summer 2018 Dear Friends: This newsletter began on a plane, a place we spend a lot of time. I was headed back from California’s Bay area (apologies to all I did not take time to see in my short trek) where I was knee…