Fordham Fellows

The mission of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation is rather simple:

The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation believes that all children deserve a high quality K-12 education at the school of their choice. Nationally and in our home state of Ohio, we strive to close America's vexing achievement gaps by raising standards, strengthening accountability, and expanding education options for parents and families.

Our work is grounded in these convictions:

• all parents should have the opportunity to select among a variety of high-quality schools for their children;
• the path to increased student learning is to set ambitious standards, employ rigorous assessments, and hold students, teachers and schools accountable for performance;
• every school should deliver a content-rich curriculum taught by knowledgeable teachers; and
• schools exist to meet the educational needs of children, not the interests of institutions or adults.

We advance the reform of American education by:

• engaging in solid research and provocative analysis;
• disseminating information and ideas that shape the debate;
• supporting quality schools and organizations in Dayton, in Ohio, and across the nation;
• sponsoring charter schools in Ohio and building their academic excellence; and
• informing policy makers at every level about promising solutions to pressing education problems.

Readers of this blog know that those are certainly goals I can support, which is why the Fordham Fellows program sounds so interesting:

What is Fordham Fellows?

Fordham Fellows is a program designed for bright and ambitious folks who want to dive into the fast-paced world of education policy but just aren't sure where to begin.

Who are Fordham Fellows?

The Fordham Fellow has an undergraduate degree, has worked for several years in education (preferably in the classroom), and is eager to learn about and influence the formation of policy ideas that motivate the national conversation about how best to educate our children. He or she believes that the current system is less than adequate (in many ways, far less than adequate) and is reform-minded. The Fellow is ambitious, energetic, smart, receptive, mature, and a good communicator--the Fellow has a thirst for knowledge and a desire to be challenged...

What do Fordham Fellows do?

Over the course of 15 weeks, Fellows will work intimately and rigorously on a challenging project at a respected Washington, D.C., policy organization. They will also engage in lectures; Q&A sessions; and social, relationship-building opportunities while living together just blocks from the United States Capitol...

What compensation will Fellows receive?

Fellows will receive compensation for their travel to and from Washington, D.C., free housing, and a $5,000 stipend.

Some day, perhaps long after my son has grown up and is out on his own, I'll be able to pursue ventures like this. Until then, I know where my responsibilities lie.