
Dr. Ashley Rogers Berner Ashley Berner is Director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy and Associate Professor of Education. She served previously as the Deputy Director of the CUNY Institute for Education Policy and as an administrator at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, University of Virginia. Palgrave MacMillan released Pluralism and American Public Education: No One Way to School (2017), and Dr. Berner has published articles, book chapters, and op-eds on citizenship formation, academic outcomes, pluralism, and the political theories of education in different national contexts. She led the design of the Institute’s School Culture 360™ and ELA and Social Studies Knowledge Maps™. Her earlier teaching experience took place in a Jewish pre-school, an Episcopal secondary school, and an open university in Louisiana; she currently advises doctoral students and teaches in the master’s program at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Berner represents the Institute’s work across the country and consults regularly with international, federal, and state-level agencies, non-governmental organizations, and school systems. She held a five-year fellowship at the Center for the Study of Law & Religion at Emory University School of Law and currently serves as an advisor to iCivics and the Educating for American Democracy project. Dr. Berner holds degrees from Davidson College (Honors A.B.) and from Oxford University (M.Litt. and D.Phil. in Modern History). Please contact her at [email protected] and @BernerEd.
EDUCATION
D.Phil. Modern History, Oxford University, 2008. Metaphysics in Educational Theory: Educational Philosophy and Teacher Training in England (1839-1944).
M.Litt. Modern History, Oxford University, 1990. The Social Thought of the Christian Social Union (1889 – 1914).
A.B. Honors History, Davidson College, 1988.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2015 – present Deputy Director, Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy; Assistant (2015 – 2018) and Associate (2019 – present) Professor, School of Education
2013 – 2015 Deputy Director, CUNY Institute for Education Policy
2006 – 2013 Co-Director, Moral Foundations of Education, Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia and Associate Director, In Medias Res Foundation
1998 – 2003 Instructor, Comparative Religion and Ethics, Trinity Preparatory School, Winter Park, FL
1994 – 1996 Instructor, Introduction to Western Civilization and Honors Introduction to Western Civilization, Southeastern Louisiana University
1991 – 1994 Research Analyst, Barq’s Root Beer, New Orleans
1990 – 1991 Instructor, Jewish Community Center of Central Florida
BOOKS AND BOOK CHAPTERS
Berner, A. (2020). “Educational Pluralism: Distinctive Schools and Academic Accountability,” in Jason Bedrick et al., (eds). Religious Liberty and Education: A Case Study of Yeshivas vs. New York. New York, NY: Rowman & Littlefield.
Berner, A. (2017). Pluralism and American Public Education: No One Way to School. Palgrave MacMillan. New York, NY. Translated into Italian: Scuola Ma Scuole: Educazione pubblica e pluralism in America. Trans. Francesco Magni. Roma: Edizioni Studium. 2018.
Berner, A., Hunter, J. D. (2014). Educating Citizens: The Paradoxes of Difference and Democracy. In Adam Seligman (Ed.), Religious Education and the Problem of Pluralism. NY: Oxford Univ. Press.`
Berner, A. (2012). Funding Schools. In Charles Glenn and Tilburg de Groof (Eds.), Balancing Freedom, Autonomy, and Accountability in Education. Wolf Legal Publishers.
Berner, A. (2006). Is English Education Secular? in E. Jane Garnett (Ed.), Redefining Christian Britain: Post 1945 Perspectives (pp. 222-232). London: SCM.
SELECTED ARTICLES AND WORKING PAPERS
Berner, A. (June 2020). “Debating Education: Is There a Role for Markets?.” Educational Theory, 70: 105-112.
Berner, A., with K. Siegel-Stechler. (April 2020). Civics at Home. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner, A. (March 2020). Does Educational Pluralism Build Civil Society? A Case Study of Indianapolis, 2001-2019. R Street Institute, Washington, D.C.
Berner, A. (July 2019). The Case for Educational Pluralism in the U.S. The Manhattan Institute.
Berner, A. (March 2019). When Schools Close: Lessons from Two Urban Districts. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner, A., co-author and editor. (October 2018). Using the RFP Process to Drive High-Quality Curriculum. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner, A. Review of the Wiley Handbook on School Choice. in Robert Maranto (Ed.), (2nd edition, vol. 2018) New York: Taylor and Francis: Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform.
Berner, A. (January 2018). Policy Memo: Pluralism in American School Systems. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner, A. (September 2017). Would School Inspections Work in the United States? Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner A. (April 2017). Expanding Access to Non-Public Schools: A Research and Policy Review. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner, A., with D. Steiner, A. Bjorklund-Young, J. Reilly, S. Ross, G. Morrison, C. Lake, A. Reid. (February 2017). Do Curricular Choices Matter? A Working Paper for the Knowledge Matters Campaign, a project of StandardsWork, Inc.
Berner, A. (January 2017). Lead author, The OECD Test for Schools: How Three School Systems are Improving Student Achievement. The Alliance for Excellent Education.
Berner, A. (November 2016). The Promise of Curriculum: Recent Research on Louisiana’s Instructional Reforms. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner, A. (July 2016). Public Funding for Private Schools: Recent Research and Larger Policy Implications. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy.
Berner, A. (2016). Review of Using Research Evidence in Education: from the Schoolhouse Door to Capitol Hill. In Robert Maranto (Ed.), (2nd ed., vol. 2016). New York: Taylor and Francis: Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform.
Berner, A. (2015). Review of The Spiritual Child: The New Science on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving In Robert Maranto (Ed.), (2nd ed., vol. 2015). New York: Taylor and Francis: Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform.
Berner, A. (2013). Persuasion in Education. Comment.
Berner, A. (2012). The Case for Educational Pluralism. First Things.
Berner, A. (2012). In Mark Movsesian (Ed.), Education and Belief. New York, NY: Center for Law and Religion, St. John’s University School of Law.
Berner, A. (2011). Making Space for Civilization: Educational Pluralism. Comment.
Berner, A. (2011). Review of Charles L. Glenn’s Contrasting Models of State and School: A Comparative Historical Study of Parental Choice and State Control (3rd ed., vol. 13). Charlottesville, VA: The Hedgehog Review.
Berner, A. (2010). English Education and the Church. University of York: Christianity and Culture Project: The English Parish Church through the Centuries: Daily Life and Spirituality, Art and Architecture.
Berner, A. (2009). Review of Kids Rule! Nickelodeon and Consumer Citizenship (1st ed., vol. 11). Charlottesville, VA: The Hedgehog Review.
Berner, A. (2007). Review of Stefan Collini’s Absent Minds: Intellectuals in Britain (1st ed., vol. 9). Charlottesville, VA: The Hedgehog Review.
TECHNICAL REPORTS
Lead Author, “The Return: How Should Education Leaders Prepare for Reentry and Beyond.” Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy, in partnership with Chiefs for Change. (May 2020).
Berner, A., co-author with David Steiner and Jay Plasman. Providence Public School District: A Review. Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy. (June 2019).
“Salem Public Schools: Knowledge Map.” Report prepared for Salem Public Schools. (April 2019).
“Vouchers: Research and Policy.” Policy Memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (March 2019).
“Indianapolis Public Schools: Knowledge Map Grades K-8.” Analysis prepared for Indianapolis Public Schools (January 2019).
“Grades 9-12: New ELA Texts for All Units,” Curriculum design and text selection, prepared for Baltimore City Public Schools (August 2018 – January 2019).
“Culturally Relevant Resources and Pedagogy.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (June 2018).
“OECD Test for Schools: History, Benefits, Challenges.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (April 2018).
“BCPSS: Report on Knowledge Domains and Standards Alignment in ELA.” Analysis prepared for Baltimore City Public Schools Systems (March 2018).
“Tax Credits in Puerto Rico.” Research memo prepared for the Puerto Rico Department of Education (March 2018).
“A Brief History of American School Boards and their Role Today.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (February 2018).
“Suggested High-School ELA Curriculum.” Report prepared for the Louisiana Department of Education (December 2017).
“The CREDO Report on Charter Management Organizations.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (June 2017).
“School Inspections.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (June 2017).
“Charter School Funding Overview.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (June 2017).
“Fact Sheet on Education Savings Accounts.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (April 2017).
“Curriculum Analysis: Middle School ELA.” Analysis prepared for the Louisiana Department of Education (March 2017).
“School Choice Mechanisms.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (December 2016).
“Educational Vouchers.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (December 2016).
“OECD Test for Schools.” Research memo prepared for America Achieves (December 2016).
“Youth Agency.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (June 2016).
“Assessments that Support Strong Academic Achievement.” Research memo prepared for Chiefs for Change (May 2016).
“Preparing Teachers for English Language Learners.” Research memo prepared for the Schusterman Family Foundation (May 2016).
SELECTED LECTURES AND PRESENTATIONS
Presentation on the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy’s evaluation tools to CCSSO’s IMPD Network. (November 18, 2020).
Presenter, second webinar on pluralism for Christian Schools International (CSI). (November 17, 2020).
Presenter, webinar on pluralism for Christian Schools International (CSI). (October 28, 2020).
Presenter, “Forming Young Citizens in Turbulent Times: Opportunities and Challenges for Boarding Schools.” Election 2020: Building Community Amid Political Polarization, FOUR-PART SERIES. Webinar for The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS). (October 13, 2020).
“Why Tough Conversations Matter: Democratic Preparation and America’s Schools.” Webinar for the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy. (October 8, 2020).
“Social Studies Knowledge Map.” Webinar for the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy. (September 29, 2020).
Video Presentation, “Pluralism, Policy, and Practice for a Thriving Catholic School Sector.” NCEA Catholic Leadership Summit. (September 28, 2020).
Guest Lecturer, “The Case for School Choice: No One Way to School.” University of Notre Dame. Notre Dame, IN. (September 23, 2020).
Presenter, “Educational Pluralism.” CAPE Board Meeting. (September 22, 2020).
Presenter, “Hot Topics and Current Trends to Ignore at Your Peril.” CAPE Board Meeting. (September 21, 2020).
Presenter, “The Future of Private Education: COVID-19 has reshaped education as we know it.” CAPE Virtual Session. (July 14, 2020).
Presenter, “School Culture: Why It Matters and How It Improves.” 2020 National Principals Conference. National Harbor, MD. (July 7-9, 2020). Cancelled due to Coronavirus.
Presenter, “A “common good” approach to COVID-19 in the field of education.” OIDEL Webinar. Hub: Geneva, Switzerland. (July 7, 2020).
Lead Presenter, “How Should School Systems Prepare for Re-Entry and Beyond?” Education Under COVID-19: Problems, Solutions, Perspectives, and Research webinar series. Presented by the World Bank and HSE University, Russia. (June 16, 2020).
Invited Speaker, Global Educational Pluralism Day. Geneva, Switzerland. (June 4, 2020). Postponed due to Coronavirus.
Video Presentation, “COVID and Education 6.” Video 6 in a series. For OIDEL, a nonprofit with consultative status at the United Nations and UNESCO. Geneva, Switzerland. (May 26, 2020).
Presenter, “Why “School Choice” is a Strange Term: America’s Schools in International Context.” Hopkins at Home Webinar. (May 19, 2020).
Invited Presenter, webinar presentation to 50Can’s National Voices fellows. (May 6, 2020).
Presenter, “School Culture: Why It Matters and How It Improves.” National Catholic Educational Association Convention & Expo 2020. Baltimore, MD. (April 16, 2020). Cancelled due to Coronavirus.
Guest Lecturer, “The Case for School Choice: No One Way to School” New York University/Steinhardt. New York, NY. (March 30, 2020).
Invited Speaker, “Expanding Our Imagination on Education: CARDUS Panel Discussion.” Manning Networking Conference. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (March 26, 2020). Cancelled due to Coronavirus.
Invited Speaker, “What’s Next in Education Reform: Getting Beyond Markets and Choice.” Manning Networking Conference. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (March 26, 2020). Cancelled due to Coronavirus.
Invited Presenter, “Building Conditions to Support LEAs in Adopting and Implementing High Quality Materials.” Webinar for the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy in partnership with Achievement Network. Baltimore, MD. (March 19, 2020). Postponed due to Coronavirus.
“School Culture Survey.” Webinar for the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy. (February 26, 2020).
Invited Lecturer/Facilitator, “Charles Koch Foundation Lecture Series: Educational Pluralism & Research to Policy.” Co-Facilitated with Dr. David Steiner. Washington, D.C. (January 17, 2020).
Invited Presenter, “Secondary Presidents and Principals Meeting.” Archdiocese of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD. (January 15, 2020).
Invited Presenter, “Educational Pluralism: A Different Way to Structure Public Education,” The Congressional Caucus on Education Innovation and Opportunity, American Federation for Children, and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Secretariat for Catholic Education. Washington, D.C. (December 10, 2019).
Invited Presenter, “Developing an ELA Curriculum.” Archdiocese of Baltimore. Baltimore, MD. (December 10, 2019).
Invited Presenter, Philanthropy Roundtable’s Catholic Working Group [with Eric Watts, Chief Academic Officer of the Archdiocese of Baltimore]. Washington, D.C. (November 14, 2019).
Invited Working Group Participant, “Civics and the Future of Democracy,” AGORA Institute, Johns Hopkins University. Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2019).
Keynote Speaker, “Making Space for All Faiths,” Leadership Institute for Faith and Education (LIFE) Convening, Harvard University. Cambridge, MA. (October 28, 2019).
“Knowledge Gap.” Presentation to Urban Teacher and MAT students. Johns Hopkins School of Education. Baltimore, MD. (October 22, 2019).
Panelist, “Making the Public Good Case for Private Schools.” CARDUS. Washington, D.C. (October 8, 2019).
Guest Lecturer, “Educational Pluralism: What It Is, and Why It Matters.” 2019 Notre Dame Lecture on Education Law and Policy. South Bend, IN. (October 7, 2019).
Invited guest, “Educational Pluralism.” 2019 National Private School Leadership Conference, hosted by the U.S. Department of Education. Washington, D.C. (September 25, 2019).
Invited guest, “The Role of Government in Private Education.” Yeshivas vs. The State of New York: A Symposium on Religious Liberty & Education. New York, NY. (September 17, 2019).
Invited guest, “Science in Action Day.” Science of Teaching and School Leadership Academy. Baltimore, MD. (July 24, 2019).
Invited guest, “Policy Briefing: Educational Pluralism and Social Capital.” Congressional Joint Economic Committee. Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2019).
“Providence Public School District: A Review.” Rhode Island Council for Elementary and Secondary Education. Providence, RI. (June 25, 2019).
Keynote Speaker, “Research and Policy for Religious Schools.” Center for Advancing Christian Education Annual Summit. Washington, DC. (June 20, 2019).
Keynote Speaker, “Educational Pluralism: The Democratic Norm.” Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business. Baltimore, MD. (April 23, 2019).
Guest Lecturer, “Charter Schools: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.” New York University/Steinhardt. New York, NY. (April 1, 2019).
Guest Speaker, “Pluralism: A Centrist Approach.” The Connelly Foundation. Philadelphia, PA. (March 27, 2019).
Panelist, “Supporting Districts with High-Quality Materials.” Impact Florida. Orlando, FL. (March 1, 2019).
Keynote Speaker, “Educational Pluralism and Accountability: School Culture and Academic Quality.” National Association of Private School Accreditors. Orlando, FL. (January 30, 2019).
Guest Speaker, “National School Choice Week: A Capitol Choice.” Georgia Public Policy Foundation. Atlanta, GA. (January 22, 2019).
Respondent to Johann Neem’s Democracy’s Schools: The Rise of Public Education in America. Social Science History Association Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ. (November 10, 2018).
Guest Lecturer, “The Curriculum Effect.” The Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning. Potomac, MD. (November 8, 2018).
Moderator, “One Size Does Not Fit All: How Educational Pluralism Helps Democracy.” The Philanthropy Roundtable Annual Summit. Palm Beach, FL. (October 25, 2018).
“No One Way to School: Educational Pluralism and Why it Matters.” United States Department of Education policy briefing for staff. Washington, D.C. (October 11, 2018).
“What is Educational Pluralism?” EdChoice National Summit. Salt Lake City (October 9, 2018).
Guest Lecturer, “Educational Pluralism in Italy and the United States.” University of Bergamo, Department of Education Sciences, Italy. (September 14, 2018).
Moderator, “What City Leaders Need to Know about Education and Transportation.” Webinar with the Center for Government Excellence (August 2018).
“Curriculum Matters.” Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning’s Science and Action Day (July 25, 2018).
Commencement speaker, Franklin Academy High School. Wake Forest, NC. (June 9, 2018).
Guest speaker, National Council for Private School Accreditation’s National Summit. Washington, D.C. (June 5, 2018).
Invited guest, Cardus Big Questions Conference. Toronto, Canada. (May 10-11, 2018).
Moderator, “What can America Learn from School Choice Globally?” American Federation for Children 2018 Summit. Washington, D.C. (May 2-3, 2018); Pre-conference blogger, “Public Education in the United States – And Everywhere Else.”
Invited guest, “Working Towards a New K-12 Education Accountability Ecosystem.” EdChoice Round Table. Ft. Myers, FL (April 23-25, 2018).
Discussant with Erica Smith and Neal McCluskey, “Legal and Regulatory Barriers to Reform and Innovation.” Institute for Humane Studies Conference. Charleston, SC (February 28-March 1, 2018).
“Pluralism and Culture.” Guest lecture at New York University (February 26, 2018).
“No One Way to School: Educational Pluralism and Why it Matters.” TEDxWilmington (February 9, 2018).
Moderator, “How Can City Leaders Expand Access to High-Quality Schools?” Webinar with the Center for Government Excellence (February 2018).
“Historical Context for Public Education.” Presentation at off-the-record round table sponsored by the Aspen Institute Education and Society Program and Edtrust on the fundamental purpose of public education (January 16, 2018).
“Ashley Berner: Pluralism, Policy, and Predictions.” Interview with Erik Ellefsen, Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (December 21, 2017).
“Educational Pluralism and the Problem of Culture.” Johns Hopkins School of Education Speaker Series. (December 6, 2017).
Discussant with Derrell Bradford, Andy Smarick, and John Katzman, moderated by Martin West, “Diversity and Pluralism: The Future of American Education?” Excellence in Education National Summit. Nashville, TN (November 29, 2017).
“Educational Pluralism and the Problem of Culture.” University of Arkansas Department of Education Reform 2017-18 Lecture Series. Fayetteville, AR (October 27, 2017).
“Pluralism and American Education: Book Talk and Signing.” Texas Public Policy Foundation. Austin, TX (October 12, 2017).
“Research on School Culture.” Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning’s Science in Action Day (July 26, 2017).
“Educational Pluralism and American Education,” Council on American Private Education’s State Leaders Summit. Portland, OR (July 11, 2017).
“Managing Controversial Conversations in American Classrooms,” with Jonathan Zimmerman, Neal McCluskey, and Elizabeth Worden. Moderated by Valerie Strauss of the Washington Post. The Cato Institute. Washington, DC. (May 15, 2017).
“Change Lens: Pluralism.” 50CAN Staff Retreat. Washington, DC. (March 31, 2017).
“Educational Pluralism: Claims and Challenges,” Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers. (March 28, 2017).
Discussant with John Campbell and Karen Johnston, “The OECD Test for Schools: Gwinnett County Public Schools on a Global Stage.” Alliance for Excellent Education. Washington, D.C. (February 28, 2017).
Discussant with Clem Ukoama and Randy Willis, “The OECD Test for Schools: Global Comparability and School and District Improvement in the United States.” Alliance for Excellent Education. Washington, D.C. (January 31, 2017).
Discussant with Matthew Cregor, Gerard Robinson, and Hilary Shelton. “Do Charter Schools Advance or Impede Civil Rights?” Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy. Baltimore, MD (January 26, 2017).
“Educational Pluralism and Academic Achievement,” Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory Law School, Atlanta, GA (April 2014).
“Why Educational Philosophy Matters: Distinctively Christian Schools in the Public Square,” Council on Educational Standards and Accountability, Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL (October 2012).
“Revisiting American Education,” Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, Yale Club. New York, NY (May 2011).
“Intentional Schools, Character, and Citizenship,” The Mustard Seed School, Trustees Meeting. Hoboken, NJ (March 2009).
“Educational Philosophy at Fulham: 1840-1950,” Culham Foundation Board of Trustees Meeting. Oxford, UK (May 2006).
“Educational Philosophy at Westminster College: 1850-1945,” The Wesley Center at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK (April 2006).
“English and American Comparative Education,” Belmont Abbey College, Belmont Abbey, North Carolina (October 2005).
“Is English Education Secular?” University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. (October 2005).
“A Tale of Two Textbooks: John Gill and Percy Nunn Compared,” Merton College, Oxford University, Oxford, UK (September 2005).
POPULAR PRESS
“An Informed Citizenry.” Johns Hopkins University Hub. (October 30. 2020).
“Partisanship and American Education.” Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s Flypaper. (October 15, 2020).
“New National Report Provides Recommendations for Re-Opening Brick-and-Mortar Schools.” redefinED. (May 14, 2020).
“Why Curriculum Matters for Parents and Guardians.” redefinED. (May 5, 2020).
“Why Curriculum Matters for Private Schools.” redefinED. (April 28, 2020).
“Why Curriculum Matters for State Leaders.” redefinED. (April 21, 2020).
“Why Curriculum Matters: Research and Policy.” redefinED. (April 14, 2020).
Berner, A. (April 2020). In a polarized America, what can we do about civil disagreement? Brown Center Chalkboard, The Brookings Institute, Washington, D.C.
“Many Countries Support School Choice for Families. The U.S. Used to, Too. 3 Ways to Get Back to That Democratic Approach.” The 74Million. (August 12, 2019).
“Why we should examine what ‘public’ means in US schooling.” The Hill. (July 11, 2019).
“Why Alberta is a Model for Education Reform.” Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s Flypaper. (June 26, 2019).
“Quality Schools: Managing School Closings to Optimize Student Outcomes.” Baltimore Educational Research Consortium. (April 2019).
“Curriculum and Education Policy.” CenterPoint Education Solutions blog. (August 1, 2018); reposted on the Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s Flypaper (August 2, 2018).
“Education for the Common Good.” EdNext (November 30, 2017).
“Could American Educators and Students Benefit from School Inspections?” The 74 Million (October 3, 2017).
“Psychological Harm and School Choice.” Thomas B. Fordham Institute (August 15, 2017).
“To Improve Education in America, Look Beyond the Traditional School Model.” Brookings Institution, Brown Center Chalkboard (May 8, 2017).
“How School Culture Drives Civic Knowledge and Shapes the Next Generation of Citizens.” The 74 Million (April 18, 2017).
“America’s Muslim Schools and the Common Good.” The 74 Million (January 23, 2017).
“How Rethinking Classroom Instruction May have Boosted Student Achievement in Louisiana,” The 74 Million (January 4, 2017).
“Re-Imagining the School Choice Debates,” The 74 Million (December 15, 2016).
“The Case for Educational Pluralism,” First Things (December 2012).
SELECTED INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS, AND MEDIA MENTIONS
Kamenetz, A. and Turner, C. “Tips for Talking to Children about the Election.” NPR. (November 3, 2020).
Kamenetz, A., Turner, C. and Douglis, S. “Now is a Good Time to Talk to Kids About Civics.” NPR. (October 31, 2020).
Jacobs, L. “Prepping Young Americans for Democratic Citizenship.” Education Talk Radio. Part of Equity & Access Pre K-12. (September 16, 2020).
Barron, S. “JHU’s Berner: Curriculum and Culture Are Still Core to Grow.” School Growth Blog. (August 11, 2020).
Maranto, R. “School Choice and the Value of Religious Diversity.” National Review. (August 9, 2020).
Jacobs, L. “Educational Pluralism: What It is, How and Why It Works.” Education Talk Radio. Part of Equity & Access Pre K-12. (July 24, 2020).
Jacobs, L. “School Culture: Why It Matters & How It Improves.” (Part 1, Part 2). Education Talk Radio. Part of Equity & Access Pre K-12. (June 30 & July 2, 2020).
Heumiller, K. “School Reopenings: Lessons from Home and Abroad.” Research Minutes: Educational Research and Policy Podcast. Part of the CPRE Knowledge Hub, University of Pennsylvania. (July 1, 2020).
“Twitter Chat: COVID-19, Equity & Rural Education.” Equity & Access Pre K-12 with KVEC (Kentucky Valley Educational Collaborative). (May 20, 2020).
Tuthill, D. “Podcasted: SUFS President Doug Tuthill Interviews Johns Hopkins University’s Ashley Berner.” redefinED. (May 14, 2020).
Robinson, G. and C. Candel. “Ashley Berner of Johns Hopkins on Academic Quality, Educational Pluralism, & the Providence Public Schools.” The Learning Curve Podcast from The Pioneer Institute. (April 24, 2020).
Pondiscio, R. “The Florida LGBTQ controversy: A gut-check moment for school choice.” The Thomas B. Fordham Institute Flypaper. (February 5, 2020).
Ross, J. “Special Episode: Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.” Bound by Oath Podcast. (January 16, 2020).
McShane, M. “Check Out These Three New Papers from the Joint Economic Committee.” Forbes. (January 10, 2020).
Laurence, J. “Igniting the Future: School Choice.” Documentary presented to News4JAX. (January 8, 2020).
Wong, A. “Educational Pluralism.” Faith Angle Podcast. (November 20, 2019).
Stefano, J. “Time for conservatives to get progressive on education reform.” The Hill. (November 18, 2019).
Valdez, E. “Here Is Where The Heart Is.” The Examining Life. (November 11, 2019).
Bedrick, J. “Big Ideas: “No One Way to School” with Ashley Berner.” EdChoice. (October 31, 2019).
Malkus, N. “Is the Achievement Gap Actually a Knowledge Gap? (With Natalie Wexler and Ashley Berner).” The Report Card with Nat Malkus. (September 20, 2019).
Pondiscio, R. “Colin Kaepernick and the Death of the Common School.” Education Week Blog: Rick Hess Straight Up. (July 24, 2019). (Also published in Flypaper).
Frenier, C. “School Choice Provides Multiple Paths.” VT Digger. (August 7, 2019).
Kokai, M. “Headlocke 57: Educational Pluralism for the United States.” Headlocke at the John Locke Foundation. (July 22, 2019).
Hardiman, K. “New Supreme Court case will determine the future of educational freedom.” Washington Examiner. (July 17, 2019).
Pearce, K. “Informed Insights for Struggling Schools, in Providence and Beyond.” Johns Hopkins University Hub. (July 11, 2019).
Bauerlein, M. Educational Pluralism. First Things: Conversations with Mark Bauerlein. (June 21, 2019).
Allen, J. “We are at War. The Battleground is the Classroom.” Fox News Opinion. (May 30, 2019).
Berner, A., with J. Allen. “Ashley Berner: No One Way to School.” Reality Check by the Center for Education Reform. (May 29, 2019).
Wexler, N. “The Biggest Education Story You’ve Never Heard Of.” Forbes. (May 12, 2019).
Mathewson, T. G. “How Gaps in Knowledge Hold Students Back.” The Hechinger Report. (March 28, 2019).
Sawchuck, S. “New Audits Help Schools Rethink Students’ Reading ‘Diets.’” EdWeek. (March 5, 2019).
Pondiscio, R. “’Knowledge Map’ Your ELA Curriculum.” The Thomas B. Fordham Institute. (February 13, 2019).
Buck, D. “School Choice Also Gives Teachers Like Me More Choice.” Foundation for Economic Education Blog. (January 31, 2019).
Domanico, R. “School Reform’s Lost Momentum.” City Journal. (January 28, 2019)
Berner, A., with Lisa Snell. “Interview: Pluralism and American Public Education.” Reason Institute. (January 23, 2019).
Hays, C. “’Vast Body of Research’ shows School Choice Helps Kids Learn.” Independent Women’s Forum. (January 22, 2019).
Berner, A., with D. Griffith and A. Tyner. “Podcast: Educational Pluralism.” Gadfly Show, Thomas B. Fordham Institute. (December 19, 2018).
Berner, A., with E. Ellefsen. “Podcast: Pluralism, Policy, and Knowledge.” Digical Education. (December 8, 2018).
Berner, A., with T. Uhl. “Educational Pluralism.” Catholic School Matters Radio Hour. (October 24, 2018).
Lehotka, I. “Review: Pluralism and American Public Education.” Hungarian Educational Research Journal. 8:1 (2018).
Diamond, L. and M. Rodriguez. “Selecting a Great Curriculum is the First Step – Implementing it Well is a Bigger Challenge.” The Excellence in Education blog, CORE. (September 5, 2018).
Santelises, S. “The Importance of Asking Hard Questions about What Students Learn in School.” The Washington Post. (July 17, 2018).
Walsh, L. “Education Chiefs Believe we should Pay Close Attention to Curriculum.” Thomas B. Fordham Institute. (July 13, 2018).
Faculty Interview: Ashley Berner, The Johns Hopkins University. Teach.Com. (July 2, 2018).
Holland, B. “The Purpose of Education: Workforce Development, or Lifelong Learning?” EdWeek’s EdTeach Researcher. (June 29, 2018).
Pillow, T. “From Pluralism to Uniformity in Public Education.” RedefinED. (May 7, 2018).
Brady, W.H. Review: No One Way to School. William Brady Blog. (May 3, 2018).
Luebke, B. “Making Public Education Truly Public.” Civitas Institute. (March 20, 2018).
Holland, B. “To change the narrative around education, we need more voices.” EdWeek’s EdTech Researcher. (March 13, 2018).
Saavedra, S. “Educational Pluralism: The Path to Fairness.” New Mexico Education. (March 9, 2018).
Neem, J. “A time for school choice? If so, let’s be sure we ask the right questions.” Brookings’ Brown Center Chalkboard. (March 7, 2018).
Editors. “Love your neighbor: Who Teaches it Best?” Environmentalists for Effective Education. (February 13, 2018).
Soifer, D. “Augmenting Nevada’s Teacher Pipeline.” Nevada Action for School Options. (January 24, 2018).
Klein, A. “Betsy deVos Links Nation’s Stagnant Test Scores to Lack of Parental Choice.” EdWeek (November 30, 2017).
Herring, J. “Review: No One Way to School.” The Imaginative Conservative (December 20, 2017).
Pondiscio, R. “Public Schools Don’t Have a Monopoly on Creating Good Citizens.” Flypaper, Thomas B. Fordham Institute (September 20, 2017).
Berner, A., with Martin West. EdNext Podcast: What if the Government Regulated Schools but did not Fund Them? (September 13, 2017).
Maranto, R. “Review: Pluralism and American Education: No One Way to School.” Journal of School Choice: International Research and Review. Posted online July 13, 2017.
Magni, F. “Review: Pluralism and American Education: No One Way to School.” Rivista Formazione Lavoro Persona. July 2017. 7:21.
Pondiscio, Robert. “Putting the evidence cart before the school choice horse.” Thomas Fordham Institute Flypaper. (March 8, 2017).
Pondiscio, R. “Asking the Wrong Questions in the School Choice Debate,” U.S. News & World Report (March 6, 2017).
Pondiscio, R. “Review: The Pitfalls of Uniform, State-Run Education.” Flypaper, Thomas B. Fordham Institute (January 4, 2017).
Berner, A. Interview with Professor Mark Movsesian, The Law and Religion Forum, St. John’s University School of Law (December 20, 2016).
SELECTED CITATIONS
Siegel, M. “5 Major Shifts Needed Post-COVID-19 to Transform Education.” Center for Digital Education. (August 12, 2020).
Lawson, Greg R. “Ohio Needs a Holistic Approach to Education Reform.” Interested Party Testimony to the Ohio House and Ohio Senate Conference Committee. The Buckeye Institute. (February 19, 2020).
Center for Education Reform, et al. “Brief for Amici Curiae.” In the Supreme Court of the United States: On Writ of Certiorari to the Montana Supreme Court. (September 18, 2019).
Brown, Patrick. “Multiple Choice: Increasing Pluralism in the American Education System.” Social Capital Project. Joint Economic Committee – Republicans. (December 10, 2019).
Cited multiple times in Schwab, Jeffrey. MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF OF AMICI CURIAE
LIBERTY JUSTICE CENTER AND AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR CHILDREN. The Supreme Court of the United States. (April 15, 2019).
Maranto, Robert and M. Danish Shakeel. “Educating Believers: Lessons from School Choice Research.” Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform. (October 8, 2018).
McCluskey, Neal. “Toward Conceptual and Concrete Understanding of the Impossibility of Religiously Neutral Public Schooling.” Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform. (September 28, 2018).
Green, Beth. “The Contours for Researching Religion and School Choice.” Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform. (September 27, 2018).
D’Agostino, T.J. “Religious Charter Schools: Are They Constitutionally Permissible?” Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform. (August 15, 2018).
Foreman, Leesa and Robert Maranto. “Why mission matters more for (some) charter principals.” School Leadership & Management: Formerly School Organisation. (July 18, 2017).
PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
2020 – Present Member, Faculty Budget Advisory Committee, School of Education.
2020 – Present Task Force Member, Faculty Reappointments Committee, School of Education.
2020 (Spring) Task Force Member, Woodrow Wilson National Foundation’s Civic Learning Initiative.
2020 – Present Member at Large, Board of Trustees, Council on American Private Education.
2020 – Present Visiting Fellow, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University.
2020 – Present Editorial Board/Scientific Committee Member, Formazione, Lavoro, Persona. Center for Quality of Teaching and Learning, University of Bergamo.
2019 – Present Advisor, Step up for Students Research and Development Committee.
2019 – 2020 Panel Member, Curriculum Advisory Panel for Alberta, CA. (article)
2018 – Present Editorial Board, Nuova Secondaria: Mensile di Cultura, Riverca Pedagogica, E Orientamenti Didattica. Studiom Edizione.
2018 – Present Member, Doctoral Programs Committee, Johns Hopkins School of Education.
2018 – Present Member, PhD Advisory Committee, Johns Hopkins School of Education.
2017 – Present Editorial Board, Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform. Taylor & Francis.
2016 – Present Doctoral Advisor, Johns Hopkins Doctoral Programs (both PhD and EdD).
2016 – Present Peer reviewer: Palgrave MacMillan, Oxford University Press, MIT Press.
2016 – 2018 School of Education representative, Masters in Teaching re-design project.
2009 – 2017 Academic Advisor, CARDUS national education surveys and reports.
2017 Peer reviewer, JHU Exploration of Practical Ethics Round 2, Berman Institute for Bioethics (total awards: $350,000).
2016 – 2017 School of Education Lead, collaboration with Johns Hopkins’s Berman Institute for Bioethics on curriculum development and program implementation.
2015 – 2018 Johns Hopkins Doctoral Program, Instructor. Strategic Systems Change and Action Planning.
2015 – 2018 Member (2015 – 2016) and Committee Co-Chair (2016 – present), Student Affairs Committee, Johns Hopkins School of Education.
2016 Committee Member, CAEP/NCATE Preparation Team (Spring 2016).
2014 – 2016 Assistant Book Review Editor, Journal of School Choice: International Research and Reform.
2011 – 2014 Academic Advisor, American Center for Education Reform.
HONORS AND BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
2019 – Present Advisory Committee, Collaborative for Spirituality in Education, Columbia Teachers College.
2018 – Present Mentor, Chidsey Leadership Fellows, Davidson College.
2018 – Present Partner, Networks for School Improvement, Baltimore City Public Schools.
2018 – 2020 Gubernatorial Appointment, Maryland Education Development Collaborative.
2017 – 2019 Advisory Council, Center for Government Excellence, Johns Hopkins University.
2017 – Present Academic Advisor, 50CAN, Washington, D.C.
2017 – Present Senior Fellow, Cardus, Canada.
2017 – Present Advisory Board, School Growth Foundation.
2019 – 2020 Mentor, Thread Through College, Baltimore, MD.
September 2018 Visiting Scholarship, University of Bergamo.
2013 – 2018 Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Law and Religion, Emory University School of Law.
2013 – 2014 Dulles Visiting Scholar, Institute on Religion and Public Life.
2005 – 2006 Research Grant Recipient, St Luke’s College Foundation, UK.
2004 – 2006 Bielby Graduate Scholar, Oxford University.
2004 – 2006 Research Grant Recipient, Culham Institute.
FOREIGN LANGUAGES
German (near-fluency); French and Spanish (conversational)