What’s behind the backlash against i-Ready? | Episode 1027 of The Education Gadfly Show

Tyrone Holmes, chief impact officer at Curriculum Associates, joins Mike Petrilli and David Griffith to discuss the growing parent backlash against education technology and why i-Ready has become one of its most visible targets. They unpack the differences among i-Ready’s assessments, teacher-led resources, and personalized online instruction; consider concerns about screen time and overuse; and discuss why teachers and schools need to communicate more clearly with families about how these tools are being used.Then, on the Research Minute, Brian Fitzpatrick reviews a new study tracking the effects of Massachusetts charter schools over two decades and examines why their benefits rose, receded, and then rebounded.Recommended content:There’s more to the i-Ready story —Kelly Sia for the Thomas B. Fordham InstituteThere’s actually more to the i-Ready story: A rebuttal —Daniel Carr for the Thomas B. Fordham InstituteAre Chromebook carts the answer? —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLEDCan schools escape the digital delusion? | Episode 1026 of The Education Gadfly ShowHow “No Excuses” charter schools went off the rails, with Steven Wilson | Episode 961 of The Education Gadfly ShowTwo Decades of Massachusetts Charter School Effects —Geoffrey Kocks, Blueprint Labs (2026)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our show? We would love to hear them. Send them to thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org