The good, the bad, and the best research of 2025 | Episode 999 of The Education Gadfly Show

This week, Mike Petrilli looks back at the highs and lows of education reform in 2025 as we wrap up our final episode of the year.

Then, on the Research Minute, David Griffith closes things out with a countdown of his top five studies of 2025—plus one bonus pick.

Recommended content:

• Wonkathon 2025: What will make science of reading laws succeed? —Thomas B. Fordham Institute
• 2025 Eddies —PIE Network
• Was 2025 a good year for education reform? —Michael J. Petrilli, SCHOOLED

Have you subscribed to Schooled? Don’t miss out on the education reform community’s hot takes! Click the link below:

https://schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com/

David’s Top Research Minutes of 2025

5. Gender Gaps in the Early Grades: Questioning the Narrative that Schools are Poorly Suited to Young Boys

• Featured in Episode 988

4. How Test Optional Policies in College Admissions Disproportionately Harm High-Achieving Applicants from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

• Featured in Episode 955

3. When Decentralization Works: Leadership, Local Needs, and Student Achievement

• Featured in Episode 985

2. The Effects of Universal School Vouchers on Private School Tuition and Enrollment: A National Analysis

• Featured in Episode 986

1. Who Wants to Be a Teacher in America?

• Featured in Episode 992

Bonus: The Impact of Cell Phone Bans in Schools: Evidence From Florida

• See also: Cutting the cord: Early evidence on cellphone policy implementation —Alicia Anderson, Thomas B. Fordham Institute

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