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Chad Aldeman

@chadaldeman.bsky.social
1.6K followers 201 following 163 posts

I write about education finance policy and teacher labor markets. Follow that work: www.chadaldeman.com And helping children learn to read @ ReadNotGuess.com

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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Josh Cowen @joshcowenmi.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
“Our voucher school will absolutely make sure your child is learning. No, we don’t need to take the same test as your local public school to prove it to you.”
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Julie O'Connor @juliehoconnor.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Officials often brag about NJ's over-90% high school graduation rate. But it’s a mirage, according to a new report by @ChadAldeman. Nearly 40% of the kids who earn diplomas can’t do basic high school math—forcing colleges like Rutgers to pick up the slack. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/fals...
njspotlightnews.org
'False Hope': Why NJ high schoolers aren’t ready for college | NJ Spotlight News
Nearly 40% of students who earn diplomas can’t do basic high school math
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Conor P. Williams @conorpwilliams.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
"Throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, when Finnish students were making their big gains, schooling was quite centralized and prescriptive, and classroom instruction was traditional and teacher-led." (Always read @chadaldeman.bsky.social) www.chadaldeman.com/p/remember-f...
chadaldeman.com
Remember Finland?
Finland’s achievement scores have gone straight down hill
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Among NYC parents, 92% agreed with the statement that, “My child is progressing in reading the way I would expect.” And yet, just 44% of those students scored proficient on the state test. My latest piece @the74.bsky.social digs into this gap --> www.the74million.org/article/new-...
the74million.org
New York City Parents Think Their Kids Are on Track in Reading. But Are They?
Aldeman: If classroom grades show progress and parents discount test scores, students who most need additional help may be the least likely to get it.
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Joshua Goodman @joshua-goodman.com · 31/08/2026
🚨New working paper alert!🚨 Private tutoring chains like Kumon and Sylvan have grown rapidly. Who uses them? Do they improve kids' skills? BU econ PhD student Samuel Nitkin and I provide answers in: "Kumon Up: Private Tutoring Centers and Student Achievement" www.nber.org/papers/w35671 1/?
Private tutoring chains like Kumon and Sylvan have expanded rapidly in recent decades.
Combining data on business locations, household spending, and district test scores, we study who
uses these centers and how they affect academic skills. Nearly half of tutoring users are from the top
income decile, with Asian and White households five and two times as likely to purchase tutoring as
Black and Hispanic households. A staggered differences-in-differences design shows the opening
of a district's first chain center raises district-wide math and reading scores by 0.02-0.03 standard
deviations, at a much lower cost than public spending typically producing similar gains. Math
effects are largest for White and Asian students, so that center entry widens racial achievement
gaps, though less so in more racially integrated districts. These private investments help their
users, deepen educational inequality, and shape outcomes by which state accountability systems
and families judge schools.
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Aldeman: The school staffing boom may finally be ending. Still, most districts serve fewer kids per educator than they did eight years ago www.the74million.org/article/fewe...
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
In exchange for over $8,100 in state funds, Iowa’s ESA students have to take the same state tests as public school students do. That seems like a reasonable trade to me: www.chadaldeman.com/p/what-happe...
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Benjamin Riley @benjaminjriley.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
It’s not just that AI negatively impacts learning over the long term, it’s that it also masks the lack of learning taking place along the way. It’s a mental masquerade.
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Kevin Carey @kevincarey1.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Hard to argue with the first-hand experience of a UC math professor that the system made a bad mistake by banning the use of standardized math tests in admissions. sfstandard.com/opinion/2026...
sfstandard.com
Opinion: I teach calculus at Berkeley. Some of my students can’t do middle school math
Since the University of California abandoned the SAT and ACT, thousands of faculty say it’s admitting students who aren’t prepared for the coursework. Will UC listen?
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Joshua Goodman @joshua-goodman.com · 22/07/2026
Really helpful summary of how public school spending: has evolved over time, varies betweens states and student groups, and does not all flow to teacher salaries (particularly in recent years).
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
One. Trillion. Dollars. Read my latest piece @the74.bsky.social on where that money is going --> www.the74million.org/article/amer...
the74million.org
America’s Trillion-Dollar School System: 5 Trends Explain Where the Money Goes
Aldeman: Enrollment is down, spending has risen substantially and staffing has expanded, yet pay has stagnated and student outcomes remain uneven.
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
{new} I have a piece @the74.bsky.social on what I call The Lexington Problem. Basically, what should a state do about districts getting decent reading outcomes despite choosing a weaker reading program?
the74million.org
The Lexington Problem: Beating the Literacy Odds Without the Science of Reading
Aldeman: As Massachusetts implements a new literacy mandate, officials must not lose sight of the ultimate goal: helping more students learn to read
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Education Week @edweek.org · 25/06/2026
Kindergartners' Math and Reading Scores Can Predict Their 3rd Grade Performance: But their academic trajectories aren't set in stone, and early intervention is key, researchers say.
edweek.org
Kindergartners' Math and Reading Scores Can Predict Their 3rd Grade Performance
But their academic trajectories aren't set in stone, and early intervention is key, researchers say.
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Paul Bruno @paul-bruno.com · 15/06/2026
"Pensions do not improve teacher effort or selectively retain high-performing teachers." www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
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Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
College should be hard www.slowboring.com/p/hard-work-...
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Cara Jackson @carajackson.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Love education data? The Strategic Data Project is looking for data fellows for placements in Texas, Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, Trenton, and NOVA/DC. Position description and requirements: docs.google.com/document/d/1... Application Deadline: 11:59pm ET on 6/21
docs.google.com
[Job Posting] Strategic Data Project Fellow Cohort 18
The Cohort 18 application will open on Monday, September 29, 2025. Position: Strategic Data Project Fellow Location: Multiple US Locations (see below) Duration: Summer/Fall 2026 through Summer 2028 ...
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
{new} The *threat* of holding students back if they can't read properly is a warning to schools to make sure each child is on track in literacy --> www.the74million.org/article/3rd-...
the74million.org
3rd-Grade Retention Isn’t Really About Kids — It’s About Adults Who Teach Them
Aldeman: Threat of holding students back if they can't read properly is a warning to schools to make sure each child is on track in literacy.
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Chalkbeat @chalkbeat.org · 07/05/2026
Federal data on enrollment, teacher pay, school spending, safety, and more has gone stale — raising questions about what the public can still know about American education.
bit.ly
What happens when the federal government stops updating facts about schools?
Federal data on enrollment, teacher pay, school spending, safety, and more has gone stale — raising questions about what the public can still know about American education.
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
A huge winner on both politics and substance — pay higher salaries to the most effective teachers. www.slowboring.com/p/we-should-...
slowboring.com
We should pay more for the best teachers
A popular, compelling, correct idea
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Andrew Bacher-Hicks @abacherhicks.bsky.social · 27/04/2026
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time at @Arnold_Ventures, it’s that nobody submits proposals early. So, consider this a friendly last‑minute reminder: Letters of interest for our Cell Phones in Schools RFP are due this week (5/1). Details: bit.ly/47n9e1L
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Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
An important contrarian take of mine — dogs aren’t people, they don’t need anti-discrimination legislation or public subsidies. www.slowboring.com/p/dogs-arent...
slowboring.com
Dogs aren’t people
One of my hottest takes
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Ryan Nanni @celebrityhottub.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
If you win the Masters back to back you should get green pants
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
"Get kids reading fluently. As much as you can. Have them read and write about books." That was my attempt to very concisely summarize a new book on how to translate the science of reading into classroom practice. Read my full review @the74.bsky.social here: www.the74million.org/article/new-...
the74million.org
New Book Helps Teachers Implement Science of Reading in Their Classrooms
Aldeman: Practical guide offers concrete tips and embedded QR codes that link to videos of teachers putting those strategies into practice.
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
📢Just launched: the SPARC Center Scholars Program! This program aims to support early career scholars in conducting rigorous research on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce. Learn more and apply by May 1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...
Promotional graphic that announces the launch of the SPARC Center Scholars Program. It includes that applications are due by May 1, 2026. The SPARC Center logo is featured in the graphic’s bottom left corner and it includes the website sparccenter.org
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Thanks to backloaded compensation and high cost of living, lots of blue states with high average teacher salaries are actually pretty unattractive places for *entry-level* teachers. www.slowboring.com/p/is-a-new-t...
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Reg Leichty @regleichty.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
I had the opportunity to write this week for HMH’s Policy in Motion about what to watch as the FY2027 federal appropriations process gets underway. Early signals from Congress could shape education funding debates in the months ahead. bit.ly/4rbHlkn
bit.ly
Federal funding: What to watch for this year | HMH
With the approval of the 2026 federal budget for education behind us, and  the President’s annual budget request for next year around the corner, many education leaders are asking the same question: W...
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
{new} In Maryland, a district called Worcester County is producing some of the best academic results in the state. What is it doing differently? Check out my latest piece @the74.bsky.social -->
the74million.org
The Maryland School District ‘Doing the Improbable’ in Teaching Kids to Read
Aldeman: Worcester County posts the highest 3rd-grade reading proficiency in the state despite its poverty level. Here's how they do it
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Analysis from @chadaldeman.bsky.social: How 12th grade math and reading scores have changed over time
the74million.org
How 12th Grade Math & Reading Scores Have Changed Over Time
In the past three decades, the performance curve looks flatter with a few more high scorers but a lot more low performers.
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Aaron Ainsworth @ajainsworth.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
I’m really glad to see that our paper is now out at Ed Researcher! We examine turnover among the half of school employees who are not teachers to understand how their turnover compares. Using Oregon data (2007-23) for all public school employees, there are 3 new patterns that we document: A 🧵
journals.sagepub.com
Revolving School Doors? A Longitudinal Examination of Teacher, Administrator, and Staff Contributions to School Churn - Emily K. Penner, Yujia Liu, Aaron J. Ainsworth, 2026
Non-teaching staff comprise over half of all school employees, and their turnover may be consequential for school operation, culture, and student success, yet w...
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AEFP Live Handbook @aefplivehandbook.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Value-added models (VAMs), also referred to as growth models, are used in education research and policy to estimate the impacts of districts, schools, and teachers on student outcomes. Read Cory Koedel's chapter to learn more about this topic: livehandbook.org/k-12-educati...
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
{new} The rate at which teachers leave the profession has been remarkably stable for the last 40 years. Read my latest for @educationnext.bsky.social --> www.educationnext.org/are-teachers...
educationnext.org
Are Teachers Abandoning Teaching?
On the contrary, data show teacher turnover remains consistently low
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Reposted by Chad Aldeman
Dan Goldhaber @cedr.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
I almost let this go without saying anything, but I can't. This issue of the non-value (to student test achievement) of the generic MA is such an old one (e.g., www.jstor.org/stable/20439...). Why aren't we learning from the evidence? www.the74million.org/article/is-a...
the74million.org
Is a Master’s in Education Really Worth It? Probably Not, Research Shows
Aldeman: Educators take on huge debt to earn advanced degrees, and taxpayers foot the bill for higher pay. But an M.A. doesn't make teachers better.
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
{new} It makes sense that for kids to learn, they should be gradually eased into more challenging material. But how gradual is too gradual? A powerful new book argues that America’s classroom literacy practices are moving far too slowly --> www.the74million.org/article/in-n...
the74million.org
In New Book, Researcher Calls Out Dumbed-Down Method of Teaching Reading
Aldeman: In 'Leveled Reading: Leveled Lives,' Tim Shanahan argues that protecting students from difficult texts puts them on a treadmill with no exit.
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Robert Kelchen @robertkelchen.com · 21/11/2025
I was sufficiently annoyed with a piece claiming that inflation-adjusted college costs have doubled over the last 20 years that I wrote a response. There really haven't been increases over the last decade, but I fear that promising trend may be changing.
robertkelchen.com
College Prices Have Not Risen Dramatically in the Last Decade—But Will That Change?
Higher education is facing a crisis of confidence among the general public, and much of that is driven by concerns regarding affordability. For example, about 80 percent of Democrats and Republican…
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The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Watch: These schools are beating the odds in teaching kids to read @chadaldeman.bsky.social www.youtube.com/shorts/8hec1...
youtube.com
These Schools Are Beating the Odds in Teaching Kids to Read
YouTube video by The 74
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James S. Murphy @jamessmurphy.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
When satire is actually pretty good advice. theonion.com/nation-s-par...
theonion.com
Nation’s Parents Release Annual Ranking Of Top 50 ‘Perfectly Good’ State Schools
The list includes dozens of totally fine schools where students can learn all the same things they’d learn at one of those expensive colleges on the East Coast.
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Hema Shah @hema-shah-econ.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
I'm on the job market! My JMP studies the role of high school teachers in preparing students for college success I find significant positive effects of high school teachers on 🔹College admissions test scores 🔹College enrollment 🔹College performance 🧵(1/10)
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Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
I love this lede from NYT's Victor Mather on the death of the penny
The American penny died on Wednesday in Philadelphia. It was 232.

The cause was irrelevance and expensiveness, the Treasury Department said.

Nothing could be bought any more with a penny, not even penny candy. Moreover, the cost to mint the penny had risen to more than 3 cents, a financial absurdity that doomed the coin.

The final pennies were minted on Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia. Top Treasury officials were on hand for its final journey. No last words were recorded.

In its heyday, the penny had immense cultural impact. It was the going rate for thoughts. It was a symbol of frugality, saved and/or earned. It could sometimes be pretty and other times arrive from heaven. And how many ideas would never have come to light without a penny dropping?
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The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Interactive —10,000 districts, 3 million kids: These schools are beating the odds in teaching kids to read @chadaldeman.bsky.social www.the74million.org/article/thes...
the74million.org
These Schools Are Beating the Odds in Teaching Kids to Read
New analysis compares literacy vs. poverty rates for 10,000 districts, 42,000 schools and 3 million kids. Is your school a Bright Spot?
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
{new} Which schools do a good job teaching kids to read? In a new project @the74.bsky.social, we set out to find schools where third-grade reading scores are much higher than might be expected, based on the schools’ poverty rates alone --> www.the74million.org/article/thes...
the74million.org
These Schools Are Beating the Odds in Teaching Kids to Read
New analysis compares literacy vs. poverty rates for 10,000 districts, 42,000 schools and 3 million kids. Is your school a Bright Spot?
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Andrew Ujifusa @andrewujifusa.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
"Imagine two elementary students: One struggles to read because she has dyslexia. The other struggles to read because she received poor reading instruction. The first student is entitled to specialized instruction ... The second student is entitled to nothing." www.chalkbeat.org/2025/10/28/a...
chalkbeat.org
What if every student had an IEP?
Students with disabilities should not be the only children who benefit from a federal guarantee of an adequate education, two researchers argue in a new report.
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Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Drake logo - he hates the Cracker Barrel logo change but loves bulldozing the White House
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Bill DeBaun @billdebaun.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
"I want to double back on Sherrill’s casual slams on MS & LA. Do they have some of the “worst schools” in the nation, as Sherrill claimed? And by implication, is NJ doing better than these states? The answer to both...is no." via @chadaldeman.bsky.social www.chadaldeman.com/p/thank-good...
chadaldeman.com
Thank Goodness for Mississippi (and Louisiana)
States like New Jersey can copy their playbook for educational improvements
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Morgan Polikoff @mpolikoff.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
The dangerous war on Tylenol (and what's really causing the rise in Autism) open.substack.com/pub/matthewy...
open.substack.com
The dangerous war on Tylenol
Autism diagnoses have increased because diagnostic practices changed.
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Gabriella Aldeman @writebetween.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Just in case you need another reason to read Squawk of Spanish, it’s not only #HispanicHeritageMonth but also #NationalPetBirdDay 🦜 Complement the book with fun mazes, word searches, and crafts. Check out the activity kit here: static1.squarespace.com/static/5d0e4...
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Chad Aldeman @chadaldeman.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
“over the last decade, [achievement] declines have not been about specific student groups. Instead, the story is largely about a growing divergence between higher- and lower-performing kids” Read my latest piece @the74.bsky.social --> www.the74million.org/article/stud...
the74million.org
Student Achievement Is Down Overall — But Kids at the Bottom Are Sinking Faster
Aldeman: It's not about race, income or parents' education. But across tests, grades and subjects, gap between higher and lower performers is growing
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The 74 @the74.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Analysis: Student achievement is down overall, but kids at the bottom are sinking faster. Read more here from @chadaldeman.bsky.social:
the74million.org
Student Achievement Is Down Overall — But Kids at the Bottom Are Sinking Faster
Aldeman: It's not about race, income or parents' education. But across tests, grades and subjects, gap between higher and lower performers is growing
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Jon Becker @jonbecker.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
The responses here are a nice balm today
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Morgan Polikoff @mpolikoff.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Actual importance of college is probably about as high as ever. // Perceived Importance of College Hits New Low news.gallup.com/poll/695003/...
news.gallup.com
Perceived Importance of College Hits New Low
The percentage of Americans who consider a college education "very important" has slipped below the majority level.
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