Podcasts about School choice

Today's guest, Tiffany Blassingame, is reimagining Christian education. As the founder and lead teacher at The Ferguson School—a progressive, faith-based K-5 microschool in Decatur, Georgia—she blends over 20 years of experience in public and private education with a heart for helping students thrive. A fourth-generation educator, Tiffany primarily serves Black and brown gifted and neurodiverse learners. Her passion for nurturing both students and teachers sparked the creation of the Microschool Teacher Academy, where she mentors microschool educators with real-world tools and insights. Read more about Tiffany in Kerry's recent Forbes.com article. ***   Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.

Send us a textNo matter where your kids go to school, the heart of parenting is the same. In this final episode of our series, we reflect on what unites us as parents—why it's time to link arms, not draw lines—and how our shared love, values, and intentionality matter more than the location.

Listen to Stories of Survivors of the USS Drexler DD741Radio.NewHeightsEducation.org.Info@NewHeightsEducation.orgPlease consider liking, following, subscribing and sharing our show. Donations are welcomedBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/new-heights-show-on-education--4114185/support.

Charlie takes an hour of questions live from CK Exclusive subscribers, including: -Are expanded government school choices policies a Trojan horse to exert control over Christian or home schools? -What is the one good reason to go to college without a detailed career plan? -Should Major League Baseball have a salary cap? Become an Exclusives subscriber and ask Charlie a question on-air by going to members.charliekirk.com. Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corey DeAngelis updates Michele on the latest insane behavior of teachers unions and how parents and teachers can respond. School Choice is a no brainer. Michele Tafoya is a four-time Emmy award-winning sportscaster turned political and cultural commentator. Record-setting, four-time Sports Emmy Award winner Michele Tafoya worked her final NBC Sunday Night Football game at Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022, her fifth Super Bowl. She retired from sportscasting the following day. In total, she covered 327 games — the most national primetime TV games (regular + postseason) for an NFL sideline reporter. Learn More about “The Michele Tafoya Podcast” here: https://linktr.ee/micheletafoya Subscribe to “The Michele Tafoya Podcast” here: https://apple.co/3nPW221 Follow Michele on twitter: https://twitter.com/Michele_Tafoya Follow Michele on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmicheletafoya/ Learn more about the Salem Podcast network: https://salempodcastnetwork.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corey DeAngelis updates Michele on the latest insane behavior of teachers unions and how parents and teachers can respond. School Choice is a no brainer. Michele Tafoya is a four-time Emmy award-winning sportscaster turned political and cultural commentator. Record-setting, four-time Sports Emmy Award winner Michele Tafoya worked her final NBC Sunday Night Football game at Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022, her fifth Super Bowl. She retired from sportscasting the following day. In total, she covered 327 games — the most national primetime TV games (regular + postseason) for an NFL sideline reporter. Learn More about “The Michele Tafoya Podcast” here: https://linktr.ee/micheletafoya Subscribe to “The Michele Tafoya Podcast” here: https://apple.co/3nPW221 Follow Michele on twitter: https://twitter.com/Michele_Tafoya Follow Michele on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmicheletafoya/ Learn more about the Salem Podcast network: https://salempodcastnetwork.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Charlie takes an hour of questions live from CK Exclusive subscribers, including: -Are expanded government school choices policies a Trojan horse to exert control over Christian or home schools? -What is the one good reason to go to college without a detailed career plan? -Should Major League Baseball have a salary cap? Become an Exclusives subscriber and ask Charlie a question on-air by going to members.charliekirk.com. Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created the nation's first federal tax-credit scholarship program. Washington Policy Center says a single signature from Governor Bob Ferguson could bring free school-choice scholarships to thousands of Washington students, at no cost to the state. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-will-free-school-choice-come-to-washington-state/ #SchoolChoice #Scholarships #WashingtonPolicyCenter #EducationReform #TaxCredit #GovernorFerguson #PrivateSchools

My guest today is Emma Rodriguez, founder of Lighthouse Christian Academy, a microschool in Frisco, Texas that opened in January of this year. After graduating from Texas A&M University, Emma spent seven years teaching in one of the largest and fastest-growing school districts in the country. While she loved the classroom, she saw firsthand how traditional education often leaves students behind and families yearning for more meaningful connection. So she became an education entrepreneur. ***   Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.

Montgomery County Public Schools, MD, is on the verge of big changes in attendance boundaries, program access, and grading policy, but this summer faces political contestation between wanting these changes and deciding on whom to impose the cost of that change. Sunil Dasgupta talks with MCPS parent and Kensington resident Rebekah Kuschmider about the likelihood and cost of disbanding the regional school choice program centered on Silver Spring called the Down County Consortium (DCC) even as the school district seeks to expand choice more widely. Music by Washington DC prog rock band, A Shrewdness of Apes.

“Back To School” Yes, it's back-to-school time in much of Virginia come the first week of August and as we enter a universe where the Supreme Court has cleared the way for the dismantling of the Federal Department of Education, many Virginians feel uneasy about what that future will bring.  As we said in the column from last week titled “Could an End to Funding Mean a Start to School Choice?” it is also a time of opportunity to go back to serving the children of Virginia and providing them with the tools to be great adults. In last week's column we touched on the Virginia Micro-School Network and so many people asked about what that was, we decided that we needed to sit down with Lindsey Zea with the Virginia Micro Schools network to find out what they are and where they are going. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy and Dr. Cara Candal of ExcelinEd interview former assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Education and co-founder of the Defense of Freedom Institute (DFI), Jim Blew. Mr. Blew reflects on his tenure in federal education leadership and his motivation for establishing DFI. He discusses the decades of rising federal K-12 spending through initiatives like RTTT, ESSA, and ESSER funds, instead calling for devolving federal authority out of the U.S. Department of Education, and more private school choice and charter public school innovation. Mr. Blew shares the origins and goals of the new national education tax credit law, which emphasizes private school choice options and state-level flexibility. He unpacks the program's key provisions, including tax credits for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) that fund school choice for students. However, he raises concerns that the law's state “opt-in” requirement may sideline students in blue states led by school choice opponents. Finally, Mr. Blew addresses some constitutional and strategic concerns, arguing that federal education tax credits, if carefully structured, can enhance educational opportunity.

On this week's Education Gadfly Show, Mike returns for another solo episode, reflecting on the role of regulation in school choice—is it stifling innovation or saving us from bad schools?Then, on the Research Minute, Adam covers a study looking at the relationship between timed math testing and anxiety among fourth- and fifth-grade students.Recommended content:“Democrats' School Choice Dilemma” —Michael J. Petrilli, for the Wall Street Journal“Seizing educational dynamism” —Stéphane Lavertu and Tim Rosenberger, Thomas B. Fordham Institute“School Choice Should Take the Road Less Traveled” —Robert Enlow and Michael Q. McShane, Education Next“Of School Choice, Regulation, and the Real Road-Least Traveled” —Jed Wallace, CharterFolk“It's One Small, Ugly School Choice Expansion” —Michael Q. McShane, for the Wall Street Journal“Math anxiety in elementary students: Examining the role of timing and task complexity” —Kathrin E. Maki, Anne F. Zaslofsky, Robin Codding, and Breanne Woods, ScienceDirect (2024)Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our podcast? Send them to Stephanie Distler at sdistler@fordhaminstitute.org.

Listen to Stories of Survivors of the USS Drexler DD741Radio.NewHeightsEducation.org.Info@NewHeightsEducation.orgPlease consider liking, following, subscribing and sharing our show. Donations are welcomedBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/new-heights-show-on-education--4114185/support.

Today's guest is Sana Khan, a Board-certified Family Medicine Physician and founder of Ihsan Academy of Texas Microschool, a full-time, in-person program serving Grades 1-8 in Katy, Texas. The word Ihsan is Arabic for "Excellence", highlighting the vision of the school to provide Excellence in both the knowledge and application of the Islamic faith, and Academic Scholarship. ***   Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.  

On this week's Education Gadfly Show, Brian Jodice, National Press Secretary for the American Federation for Children joins us for a lively debate on the federal school choice provision embedded in the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill”—including its potential impact in blue states.Then, on the Research Minute, Adam reviews a new Education Next study showing that a low-cost college-planning course can boost success for high-achieving, low-income students.Recommended content: “Democrats' School Choice Dilemma” —Michael J. Petrilli, for The Wall Street Journal“Federal school choice skeptics are tilting at windmills” —Shaka Mitchell, for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute“College Counseling in the Classroom” —Joshua Hyman, Education Next“#974: The Risks of the Educational Choice for Children Act, with Jon Valant” —Education Gadfly Show, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteEducation Gadfly Show #974: The Risks of the Educational Choice for Children Act, with Jon ValantEducation Gadfly Show #963: All about the Educational Choice for Children Act, with Jim Blew Feedback Welcome: Have ideas for improving our podcast? Send them to Stephanie Distler at sdistler@fordhaminstitute.org.  

In this episode of The Right Idea, co-hosts Brian Phillips and Derek Cohen sit down with Jill Tate, Vice President of Legislation for the Texas Federation of Republican Women and a powerhouse conservative activist. Jill shares her journey from a young Reagan supporter to a key player in Texas politics, diving into critical issues like school choice, property taxes, energy policy, and the fight against taxpayer-funded lobbying. They also discuss the resilience of Texas culture, the upcoming special session, and what's next for the 90th Legislature.05:13 - Jill Tate's background as a Texas super activist and precinct chair06:02 - How Jill got involved in conservative activism and politics10:02 - Evolution of Texas politics and the shift to a conservative stronghold14:39 - Texas cultural resilience and the significance of the Alamo21:03 - Recap of the 89th Legislature: Successes in school choice, energy, and AI23:31 - Jill's personal story on school choice and its impact on her son30:03 - Energy policy: Nuclear power and securing Texas' grid33:59 - SB 1283: Protecting seniors in retirement communities37:24 - Special session priorities: Women's Privacy Act and ending STAAR testing42:30 - Looking ahead to the 90th Legislature: Energy and emerging issues45:11 - Water issues in Texas: Balancing rural and urban needs46:40 - Gambling in Texas: Concerns about social and economic impacts49:33 - Reforming Texas' committee process for better legislative hearings1:05:11 - The fight to end taxpayer-funded lobbying in Texas

Today's guest is Pam Frankforther, founder of Pioneer Reading Center in Wayne, Ohio. Pam left her job as a longtime public school teacher this year to launch Pioneer as full-time microschool for students with dyslexia and other learning differences. She was motivated to create a science-backed, literacy-rich learning environment for children in her community after listening to the popular podcast series, Sold A Story.  Pam also recently published the book Dyslexia and the Public Schools: What They Don't, Can't, or Won't Tell You, and Steps to Take to Advocate for Your Child's Needs. ***  Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.

In this episode of Sunday School Choice, host Nathan Sanders interviews Chris Vas from the Herzog Foundation to discuss the foundation's mission of advancing Christ-centered K–12 education across the country. They explore the foundation's professional development programs, its SchoolBox platform for launching new schools, and the impact of Missouri's MoScholars tax credit program. The conversation also highlights trends in homeschooling and micro-schooling, especially how churches are partnering with educators to host innovative education models.

Rob talks with Tom Koch about his life and career, and discusses some key issues at the State House in Montpelier.Then Leslie Hiner joins to talk about the importance of School Choice in improving outcomes for students.

Robert Enlow, the President and CEO of EdChoice, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the tax credit scholarship provision that was part of budget reconciliation bill, which was passed by Congress and signed into law on July 4, 2025.

In this episode of American Potential, host David From is joined by Genevieve Collins, State Director of Americans for Prosperity–Texas, and Joel Enge, founder of Kingdom Life Academy, to share the extraordinary story behind the largest school choice legislation in American history. After more than a decade of advocacy, Texas has officially passed sweeping education savings account (ESA) legislation, unlocking new options for thousands of families. Collins explains how her team helped mobilize communities across the state to shift public opinion, change the political landscape, and secure a historic 86 votes in the Texas House. Joel Enge offers a deeply personal perspective. A former public school teacher in Tyler, Texas, Joel sold his home to launch a school that serves students struggling in traditional education environments. He shares how school choice will bring hope to low-income families, allow his micro-school to grow, and create life-changing opportunities for students through real-world, hands-on learning. This is the story of how grassroots action, policy expertise, and bold leadership came together to empower parents and give kids a better shot at success. Texas is now leading the way—and this episode explains why it matters for the entire country.

Jennie Jones is an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at FEE's Education Entrepreneurship Lab. She is a former professional ballerina, turned homeschooling mom of four, turned education entrepreneur who launched her home-based microschool, Treehouse Agile Learning Community, in St. George, Utah last fall and is expanding into a second location this fall. Jennie was an earlier guest on the podcast talking about her founder journey and returns today to share some of the challenges of growth and regulatory ambiguity. Check out Jennie's latest article on this topic at the Education Entrepreneurship Lab. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.

In this episode of Education Matters, hosts Cesar Roman and Sarah Milligan are joined by Indiana State Representative Julie McGuire—a lawmaker, mother of four, and passionate school choice advocate—to explore how Indiana is setting the national standard for educational freedom. From explaining how Indiana's $9 billion K-12 budget funds students (not systems), to sharing her family's personal journey through private, public, and charter schools, Rep. McGuire offers both a policymaker's insight and a parent's heart. Her experience—adopting two children, one from Ukraine who arrived with no English—highlights just how critical it is for families to have flexible, personalized school options. Gain a firsthand look at how Indiana's funding formula works, why the state is removing income caps on Choice Scholarships, and what universal school choice will mean for Hoosier families starting in the 2026–27 school year. Key Takeaways: Indiana Prioritizes Families: Nearly 50% of the state budget goes to K–12 education—and funding follows the student, not the system. Universal Choice Is Here: Beginning in 2026–27, all Hoosier students will be eligible for Choice Scholarships with no income cap or enrollment limit. School Choice in Action: McGuire's children have attended public, private, and charter schools—each chosen to match their unique needs. The Power of Research: Tools like Indiana GPS and school visits help parents find the right educational fit for their child. Parental Engagement Matters: Success comes when parents and educators work as a team—and McGuire urges all families to stay involved.

Jean Evans, former Missouri state representative and now with the American Federation for Children, joins Marc Cox to discuss the expanding movement for school choice in Missouri and nationwide. With 16 states now offering school choice, including South Carolina and Florida, competition is driving public schools to improve, debunking myths that vouchers harm public education. Evans highlights Missouri's ESA program that funds not only private schooling but also homeschooling, tutoring, and therapies, which recently expanded thanks to a $50 million state appropriation—though it faces legal challenges from the Missouri NEA. Despite a Republican supermajority in Missouri, progress is slowed by legislative filibusters and opposition from some GOP members. Governor Kehoe's commitment to rewriting the school funding formula and increasing portability shows promise, but the fight continues amid union lawsuits and regulatory threats, especially concerning homeschooling freedoms. Evans underscores that many teachers support school choice and that competition benefits both students and educators.

Marc Cox opens with the fallout from a Facebook ban, directing listeners to alternative platforms. The team tackles Biden's medical transparency crisis after his doctor pleads the Fifth, with former Trump physician Ronnie Jackson alleging a coordinated cognitive decline cover-up—raising serious questions about leadership accountability. Former Senator Jim Talent joins to unpack Ukraine's complex conflict, highlighting bureaucratic errors halting aid, Trump's pressure tactics on Putin, and the broader geopolitical fallout, including NATO's expansion and Iran's destabilized region. Missouri school choice advocate Jean Evans breaks down the fight to expand education freedom amid union pushback and legislative hurdles, emphasizing competition's benefits for students and teachers alike. Finally, Kim critiques the “Diabetes Barbie” launch as an example of over-the-top inclusivity marketing, while praising RFK Jr.'s health efforts and previewing upcoming segments honoring first responders and Supreme Court insights.

In this week's episode of The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and Walter Blanks interview Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, who has served as superintendent-director of the Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District since 1994. A leader in vocational-technical education, Dr. Fitzpatrick reflects on his own educational journey and offers insights into leadership that puts students first. He discusses how Massachusetts' voc-tech schools used the 1993 Education Reform Act's accountability tools like MCAS, standards, and school choice, to drive achievement, particularly for students with diverse learning needs. He shares how Valley Tech and other voc-techs built a nationally recognized culture that seamlessly integrates academics and occupational training, resulting in low dropout rates and success in national skills competitions. Dr. Fitzpatrick also delves into the critical partnerships among industry, organized labor, and higher education that have fueled reform. He addresses current policy debates over voc-tech admissions and recruitment practices, and how the voc-tech community has responded. Finally, he offers three key policy recommendations to strengthen vocational-technical education across the country, drawing on decades of hands-on leadership and reform experience.

More than a decade ago, Matt Bowman cofounded My Tech High as a platform that enabled personalized, customized learning through tuition-free partnerships with innovative public and charter schools and in collaboration with individual education providers. With a bold vision to expand personalized learning options to more families, Matt recently rebranded the company to OpenEd.co. To date, his company has served over 12,000 families. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.  

Marc returns from vacation fired up and focused—starting with the tragic Texas floods and slamming the left for politicizing the deaths of Christian campers. He praises FEMA's fast response and calls for unity amid disaster. As the hour rolls on, he dives into the school choice debate, praising Florida's voucher system while exposing the red tape and union blockades keeping Missouri families trapped in failing schools. In a patriotic second segment, Marc reflects on a powerful 4th of July moment in Myrtle Beach, taking aim at anti-American rhetoric and mocking Democrats floating Kamala or Pete for 2024. Then, on 2A Tuesday, Mark Walters joins to explain the messy status of suppressor and short-barreled rifle rules in the “Big Beautiful Bill.” They break down Austria's alarming gun grab after a mass shooting and why U.S. activists are watching—and plotting. Marc closes with Tennessee's bold anti-bullying law that could yank teen licenses for cyberbullying. Is it a smart move or government overreach? The team debates.

Eric Wearne is a Visiting Associate Professor with the Education Economics Center at Kennesaw State University. In line with his work on the intersection of statistics, school choice, and classical education, Professor Wearne conducted a survey of parents with children in a wide variety of classical schools.In this survey, Professor Wearne examined what parents want in a classical school and the benefits they see from their children being classically educated. Professor Wearne served previously as Provost at Holy Spirit College, Associate Professor of Education at Georgia Gwinnett College, and Deputy Director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement in Atlanta.Dr. Wearne's research work focuses on education policy, school choice, and the history of American education. Find out more about his work at https://sites.google.com/view/eric-wearne/home

Mississippi Today's Geoff Pender, Taylor Vance and Michael Goldberg discuss political news of the week, including House Speaker Jason White announcing “school choice” issues as his top priority for 2026 and perennial U.S. Senate candidate Ty Pinkins departing the Democratic Party.

Matthew Lenard, an assistant professor of education leadership and policy studies at Florida State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Lenard's latest research, which investigates the impact of magnet schools on student learning. "The Attraction of Magnet Schools: Evidence from Embedded Lotteries in School Assignment," co-written with Umut Dur, Robert G. Hammond, Melinda Morrill, Thayer Morrill, and Colleen Paeplow, is available now as part of the Program on Education Policy and Governance Conference Papers Series. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Taubman/PEPG/research/PEPG25_15.pdf

What if education dollars followed students, not systems?That's the idea Milton Friedman planted decades ago, and it's the one powering the school choice revolution sweeping America today. In this week's Let People Prosper Show, I talk with Robert Enlow, President and CEO of EdChoice, to discuss how the movement is finally turning Friedman's vision into reality.Robert brings deep experience and a clear-eyed view of what's working—and what still needs fixing. We discuss Universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), state-level successes such as Arizona's, the dangers of federal overreach, and the rapid growth of innovation in education across the country. If you care about parental rights, accountability, or economic freedom, this one's for you.For more insights, visit vanceginn.com. You can also get even greater value by subscribing to my Substack newsletter at vanceginn.substack.com. 

In this episode of The P.A.S. Report, Professor Nick Giordano welcomes John Paul Moran, Founder and CEO of Grand Opportunity USA (GOUSA), to discuss how his organization is transforming American politics by focusing on opportunity and unity over division. Moran explains the groundbreaking OPP Score Challenge, a nonpartisan tool designed to hold elected officials accountable based on how well they serve the people. They also explore how Americans are far less divided on key issues than the media portrays, and how GOUSA's Five Points of Opportunity platform offers a unifying path forward rooted in common-sense values. This episode breaks down how GOUSA is reshaping civic engagement and restoring faith in the political process. Episode Highlights: How the OPP Score Challenge empowers voters and holds politicians accountable Why the media exaggerates division and how Americans align on core issues The Five Points of Opportunity: A new political framework for unity and progress  

Representing IL-16, Rep. LaHood explains how the BBB will help pave the way for states who choose school choice.

Deja Hillis is the founder of Faithscape Learning Pod, a faith-based K-5 microschool in Casa Grande, Arizona, near Phoenix, which she launched in August 2024. An early elementary school teacher for nearly a decade, Deja has a passion for literacy education and is the author of four children's books. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org. 

Mississippi House Speaker Jason White says he's planning a major push next year making it easier for families to change where their kids go to school.Then, the daughter of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, shares her experience growing up during the civil rights movement.Plus, a conversation with former MSNBC Host Joy Ann Reid on her work preserving and promoting the life and legacy of Medgar Wylie Evers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, critics of school choice have warned that it would destroy public education. From claims that funding would evaporate to predictions of catastrophic harm to students, the rhetoric has been dramatic—and remarkably consistent. But is there any truth to these warnings? Robert Enlow, CEO of EdChoice, and Ed Tarnowski, author of the new report Who's Afraid of School Choice, take some of the most anti-school choice quotes from the report and read them for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5csuEpTn69o Podcast audio: In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Samantha Watkins interviews Dr. Matt Bateman, philosopher at GT School, co-founder of Higher Ground Education, and ARU instructor, about the school choice movement and the philosophical case for education freedom. Among the topics covered: What the expanding reach of school choice programs means for parental freedom; Why parents, not the government, should invest in education; Why the school choice movement should refocus its arguments on parental rights; How bureaucratic accountability measures undermine school choice efforts; Why Rand's tax credit proposal is better than a voucher system; The worst thing about the public school system; Rand's influence on Bateman's approach to parenting and education. Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand's essays "Tax Credits for Education" , "The Comprachicos", and "Art and Moral Treason". This podcast was recorded Jun 3, 2025 and posted on June 26, 2025. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here.

State Rep. Joe D'Orsie gets Straight to the Point with former State Rep. and current Army Captain and President and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, Andrew Lewis. School Choice, Taxpayer Bill of Rights, Policy Initiatives.

Kenny Webster interviews author Corey DeAngelis.

In this special episode of The Learning Curve, guest co-host Ian Rowe interviews Steven Wilson, a senior fellow at Pioneer Institute and founder of the Ascend Charter Network. Their discussion centers on Wilson's new book, The Lost Decade, which concerns education's shift away from liberal arts and toward social justice ideology and anti-intellectualism. They examine the impact of this shift on student achievement, highlight successful education models such as classical schools and virtues-based curricula, and stress the importance of maintaining high academic standards. Wilson also touches on the classical learning test as a promising alternative to current, politicized assessments. Wilson and Rowe conclude with a call to focus on truth, knowledge, and honor in education to empower all students.

The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares reaction to recent rhetoric from Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates about education philosophy. Jonathan Greenberg from Empower Illinois says Davis Gates' comments to the City Club of Chicago give more reason to support school choice.

New Hampshire has removed the income cap for families applying to its Education Freedom Account program, making it the first state in New England to offer school choice to all K-12 children. Governor Kelly Ayotte signed the program expansion into law on June 10. Previously, first-time applicants had to have incomes below 350% of the federal poverty level to qualify.Total program enrollment will be limited to 10,000 students in the first year of the program's expansion. If more students apply than there are spaces available, the program will prioritize current participants and their siblings, students with special needs, and low-income students.New Hampshire's four-year-old EFA program is one of the most family-empowering school choice laws in the country. EFAs can be used for a wide variety of approved education expenses. Each child's EFA is funded by the state's “per-pupil adequate education grant amount,” plus any additional aid that would have been allocated in a public school (for example, if the student qualified for free- or reduced-price lunch or special-needs funding or was an English-language learner). The state contracts with the nonprofit Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire to administer the program.New Hampshire follows Tennessee, Idaho, Wyoming, and Texas in expanding educational opportunities available to their children this year. It's time Oregon gave the same chances to students here, too.

Today's guest is Kate Lundquist, founder and principal of Northshore Prep Academy. A former public high school math and physics teacher, Kate opened her secular K-8 hybrid school in Mandeville, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, in 2015. Today, Northshore Prep Academy has 75 students enrolled.  *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.

What's driving state-level prosperity—or stagnation?While Washington obsesses over headlines and dysfunction, the real policy battles shaping Americans' lives are happening in state capitals. From tax cuts and spending reforms to school choice and regulatory rollbacks, we're seeing a tale of two paths: one that embraces economic freedom and another that doubles down on top-down control.In this episode of This Week's Economy, I talk with Patrick Gleason, Vice President of State Affairs at Americans for Tax Reform and regular contributor to Forbes, about the most important trends in state policy. We get into who's doing it right, who's doing it wrong, and how to push back against the growing threats of government overreach.You can catch the full episode on YouTube, Apple Podcast, or Spotify.Visit: VanceGinn.comSubscribe: VanceGinn.Substack.com

In this week's episode of The Learning Curve, co-host Alisha Searcy and guest co-host Walter Blanks interview Shaka Mitchell, senior fellow at the American Federation for Children. Mr. Mitchell shares about his compelling personal and professional journey in education reform. Shaka discusses how his formative experiences shaped his passion for expanding charter public schools, school choice, and empowering families. He […]

Today's guest is Cassandra Orozco, the founder of Beacon of Hope Academy, a faith-based microschool serving K–5th grade students with special needs in Lake Worth, Florida, set to open this fall. As a certified special education teacher with experience in both charter and private schools, Cassandra is passionate about reimagining education to better serve neurodiverse learners. Through Beacon of Hope Academy, she's creating a nurturing, individualized environment where every child is seen, supported, and empowered to thrive. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org.