The Editorial Projects in Education Research Center released a report ranking influence in education policy in four categories: studies, organizations, people, and information sources.
Here is the top in each category:
Studies: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). U.S. Department of Education
Organizations: U.S. Congress
People: Bill Gates
Information: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
So, three of the four of the top influences are related to the federal government. George Bush ranked second in the “people” category, even though, in my opinion, No Child Left Behind has been much more influential than any of the Gates projects.
On the upside, the following made the list: Jay P. Greene on high school graduation rates (research), Paul E. Peterson on school choice and vouchers (research), Fordham Foundation (organizations), Checker Finn (people), and Education Next (information sources).
On the downside, the following also made the list: American Federation of Teachers (organizations), National Education Association (organizations), James B. Hunt Jr. (people), Bill Clinton (people), Edward Kennedy (thing), Public Education Network Weekly NewsBlast (information source).
Also of note: William L. Sanders (of SAS in Cary) on value-added methodology and the Tennessee Value-Added Accountability System made the list in the “studies” category.
Hat tip: Shine Raleigh Shine!
