On this week’s Education Gadfly Show podcast, David Houston, an assistant professor at George Mason University, joins Mike and David to discuss how presidents polarize voters when they weigh in on education debates. Then, on the Research Minute, Amber examines a new study investigating whether performance incentives improve teacher skills and so the academic growth of their students.

Recommended content: 

• “Polling data: Presidents split the public on schools” —Kevin Mahnken, The 74
• “Let’s talk about bad teachers” —Michael Petrilli, Fordham Institute
• David Houston and Alyssa Barone, “How the engagement of high-profile partisan officials affects education politics, public opinion, and polarization,” Annenberg Institute at Brown University (March 2024).
• Eric Taylor, “Employee evaluation and skill investments: Evidence from public school teachers,” Annenberg Institute at Brown University (May 2024).

Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our podcast? Send them to Daniel Buck at [email protected].