Joyful classrooms, but zero public transparency: Inside an ESA micro-school | Episode 987 of The Education Gadfly Show

This week, Chandler Fritz, author of Harper’s Magazine’s cover story The Homemade Scholar, shares what he discovered when teaching in an ESA-funded micro-school—including a lackluster curriculum but undeniably joyful kids.On the Research Minute, Adam Tyner unpacks California’s big school-spending surge—showing that despite major funding increases, starting teacher pay hasn’t risen and staffing levels have barely changed.Recommended contentThe Homemade Scholar —Chandler Fritz, Harper’s MagazineThe “à la carte education” accountability conundrum —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteStudent experience data is sending a message. Will we listen? —Dr. Deborah A. Gist for the Thomas B. Fordham InstituteWhy I’m wary of universal education savings accounts —Chester E. Finn, Jr., Thomas B. Fordham InstituteDoing educational equity right: School finance —Michael J. Petrilli, Thomas B. FordhamTeacher Staffing Trends in California: Assessing the Impact of Recent Spending —Julien Lafortune, Iwunze Ugo, and Brett Guinan, PPIC (2025)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for our show? Send them to [email protected]