Episode Details

Arkansas Education Secretary Jacob Oliva joins The Education Gadfly Show to discuss the sweeping Arkansas LEARNS reforms, from early literacy and teacher pay to career pathways, parent empowerment, and new approaches to teacher preparation. Why did Arkansas take on so much at once, and can it support teachers, empower districts, and maintain high standards along the way?

Then, on the Research Minute, Amber Northern examines new research on Indiana charter schools’ post-pandemic academic recovery, especially for Black, Hispanic, low-income, and previously low-performing students.

Recommended content:

• ExcelinEd 2026 Poll Findings —ExcelinEd
• Raising the Floor: Teacher Retention Effects of a Statewide Minimum Salary Increase —Gema Zamarro, Andrew M. Camp, Josh McGee, Taylor Wilson, and Miranda Vernon, CALDER (2026)
• What happens when you relax accountability —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLED
• Virtual Illusion: Comparing Student Achievement and Teacher and Classroom Characteristics in Online and Brick-and-Mortar Charter Schools —Brian R. Fitzpatrick, Mark Berends, Joseph J. Ferrare, and R. Joseph Waddington, Educational Researcher (2020)
• Indiana Charter School Performance During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic —Ron Zimmer, Stephen M. Ponisciak, Mark Berends, Julie W. Dallavis, Joseph J. Ferrare, Adam Kho, Shelby L. Smith, and Joseph Waddington, EdWorking Papers (2026)

Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our show? We would love to hear them. Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org