In this live Washington, D.C. episode, Jed and Andy tackle the early policy shifts of the new Trump administration and what they mean for charter schools, education funding, and equity. They discuss the chaotic rollout of federal budget cuts, block grants, and DEI policies, analyzing how these moves may shape the future of public education—especially in blue states.

With federal oversight in flux, the conversation explores whether charter schools could be left without a seat at the table, the potential impact of religious charter schools, and the broader political realignment in education policy. The episode wraps up with a live audience Q&A, bringing in diverse perspectives on school choice, funding inequities, and the future of education reform.

Key Takeaways:

✔ The chaotic pace of policy changes under the new administration and how it differs from 2017

✔ The potential risks of block grants for charter schools, particularly in blue states

✔ The legal and political implications of religious charter schools and upcoming Supreme Court rulings

✔ Why charter school advocates must define their values and strategy amid shifting political winds

✔ The growing divide between red and blue states on public education policy

In volume 22, we engage with Karim Ani, the founder of Citizen Math, who shares profound insights into the realm of mathematics education and its implications for democratic discourse. Central to our conversation is Karim's candid reflection on his personal journey, culminating in his decision to retire from American education, a choice influenced by both creative fulfillment and the formidable inertia within the educational system. Throughout our dialogue, we explore the necessity of reforming math education to better connect with real-world issues, emphasizing the importance of utilizing mathematics as a lens through which students can engage with contemporary societal challenges. Karim's narrative is not merely an account of his professional transitions; it is a clarion call for reimagining educational practices to foster a more engaged and rational citizenry. Ultimately, this episode serves as both a farewell to Karim's contributions and an invitation to rethink the foundational principles that guide our approach to teaching mathematics in today's rapidly evolving landscape.

Takeaways:

• The podcast features a profound dialogue with Karim Ani, who shares his insights on the evolution of math education and its impact on society.
• Karim Ani reflects on his personal journey through math education and the importance of using mathematics to foster rational discourse in democratic contexts.
• Listeners are encouraged to ponder the disconnect between traditional math education and its real-world applications, emphasizing the need for a transformative approach.
• The discussion highlights the necessity of supporting teachers with effective resources, thus enhancing the learning experience for students in mathematics.
• Karim Ani advocates for a shift from abstract math problems to real-world scenarios that engage students in meaningful ways through mathematics.
• The podcast concludes with a vision for a collaborative classroom environment, where students work together on community-driven projects to apply their mathematical knowledge.

Mentions in this episode:

• Karim's book, "Dear Citizen Math"
• Citizen Math
• Wheat and Chessboard problem
• Karim on Instagram

We missed our November recording due to me coming down with the crud. It left us a lot of ground to cover in a short period of time. Topics we touch upon include:

• Elections perspective six weeks later
• Linda McMahon reactions, including a somewhat surprising lack of acrimony across the political spectrum on her nomination.
• The biggest story in public education this year - Democrats embrace stasis, while Republicans embrace ESAs and vouchers. Are Dems approaching a "gray divorce" on their education priorities, while Republicans head into a "honeymoon period" on ESAs and vouchers?
• The biggest story regarding charter schools - Are charter schools in a "sweet spot" or in a "dead zone" headed into 2025?
• And our biggest reasons for optimism and concern headed into 2025.

References:

* Tim Daly's piece: https://www.educationdaly.us/p/we-are-in-the-midst-of-an-educational

* Election reax: https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/shellacked-what-are-the-education

* Fiscal situation: https://www.pgpf.org/article/7-charts-that-show-how-the-nations-fiscal-outlook-worsened-in-2024/

* Andy and Lindsay Fryer discuss Linda McMahon: https://www.linkedin.com/events/7265157124941369344/comments/

* Musical chairs: https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/charter-schools-might-not-have-a

Andy and Jed discuss what the theme music for their podcast should be before shifting to their voting experiences and frustrations with the current political landscape. The conversation delves into polarizing views on education, highlighting voter behavior differences, the impact of California politics, and significant historical events influencing perceptions. The nuances of charter school regulation, accountability, and data-driven decision-making are explored, emphasizing the difficulties of balancing regulation with performance metrics. The importance of evidence-based advocacy, critiques of past and current administrations, and the need for a balanced approach to promoting a healthy educational environment are underscored. Finally, the discussion addresses systemic issues in education, the challenge of intergenerational advocacy, and the impact of political climates on education reforms.

Show Notes:

PPI report

https://www.progressivepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/PPI_Searching-for-the-Tipping-Point-paper.pdf

Parker Baxter Denver study

https://publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider36/default-document-library/denver_systemwide_and_intervention-effects-technical-report-september-2024.pdf?sfvrsn=f4236bb4_1

Michael Bennet and Tom Boasberg on Denver

https://publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider36/default-document-library/leading-for-equity-and-student-growth-lessons-transformation-the-denver-public-schools-sept-2024.pdf?sfvrsn=237174b4_1

Eduwonk on election

https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/come-talk-ed-politics-plus-heres

Chalkbeat on CO consolidation

Show Notes:

Tim Daly on Finland

https://www.educationdaly.us/p/the-rise-and-fall-of-finland-mania

OG Eduwonk on Finland

https://www.eduwonk.com/2004/04/finland-rising.html

Eduwonk on DiAngelis

https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/the-bloom-is-off-the-seth-rose-what

74 on DiAngelis backstory

https://www.the74million.org/article/corey-deangelis-disgraced-not-by-liberals-he-trolled-but-right-wing-parents/

Denver Study

https://publicaffairs.ucdenver.edu/docs/librariesprovider36/default-document-library/denver-study-summary-september-2024.pdf?sfvrsn=60236bb4_1

Denver Public Radio story

https://www.cpr.org/2024/09/23/denver-public-schools-controversial-reform-successful/

Denver Post story

https://www.denverpost.com/2024/09/23/denver-school-reform-academic-performance-study/

Matt Landner on ESA finance

https://www.reimaginedonline.org/2023/07/arizona-governor-touts-misleading-narrative-on-arizona-empowerment-scholarship-program/

Bellwether school finance work

https://bellwether.org/publications/splitting-the-bill/

Rotherham in New York Times on when teachers unions fought their own teachers over innovation:

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/10/opinion/10rotherham.html

Jed Wallace on Don Shalvey

https://www.charterfolk.org/remembering-don-shalvey-a-mid-summers-nights-dream-of-loving-what-we-do-and-who-we-do-it-with/

Eduwonk on Don Shalvey

Andy and Jed explore the intersection of education and politics in a rapidly changing landscape. They start by analyzing the Democratic Party's surprising silence on education during their convention, delving into why education has become a party splitter and how this could affect upcoming elections. The conversation then shifts to Kamala Harris' role and what her presidency might mean for education policy, especially concerning the influence of teacher unions and school choice. The hosts also tackle the Republican stance on universal vouchers, the evolving dynamics within the GOP, and the broader implications for urban education in cities like Chicago and St. Louis. This episode is packed with in-depth analysis, covering everything from the NEA's strategic influence to the potential long-term consequences of declining public school enrollment. Don't miss this insightful conversation that sheds light on the critical issues facing American education today.

SHOW NOTES:

• Andy's Eduwonk post on Biden being a centrist
• Andy's Eduwonk post on Tim Walz
• Tim Daly's piece about grading the Biden Administration on education policy
• The cringy "Mommala moment" from the Drew Barrymore interview with Kamala Harris
• The full interview between Barrymore and Harris
• Derrell Bradford and Tim DeRoche's Op-Ed in the 74 about Milliken vs Bradley

In this thought-provoking episode, Andy Rotherham and Jed Wallace are joined by Lynne Graziano from Bellwether Education Partners to dive deep into the complexities and inconsistencies of adolescent laws across the United States. Using Bellwether's new "Edge of Seventeen" report as a cornerstone, this discussion covers a wide range of topics from the age of consent and marriage laws to labor rights and education policies.

*Key Topics Discussed:*

- The diversity in state laws regarding age-related permissions.

- Surprising statistics on child labor and marriage.

- The influence of federalism on policy consistency.

- The impact of these inconsistencies on today’s youth.

- The role of schools and education policy in navigating these challenges.

*Episode Highlights:*

- [01:45] Introduction of guest Lynne Graziano and the Edge of Seventeen report.

- [05:30] Discussion on the age of consent and marriage laws.

- [15:00] The role of federal legislation in creating consistency.

- [25:20] How adolescent laws impact education policies.

- [35:45] Viewer Q&A and final thoughts.

*Why Listen?*

This episode is a must-listen for educators, policymakers, parents, and anyone interested in the intersection of youth, law, and education. You’ll gain fresh insights into the often-overlooked area of adolescent policy and its real-world implications.

*Show Notes:*

- Edge of Seventeen Report by Bellwether Education Partners:

https://bellwether.org/publications/t...

- Aspen on cross-partisanship:

• Crossing the Partisan Divide in Educa...

https://www.aspeninstitute.org/public...

- Reagan Institute conference:

This week Andy and I start out debriefing the ASU-GSV conference and explore why the open and optimistic spirit of that gathering feels so at odds with the vibe that prevails across much of ed reform these days. That leads to a discussion about Andy’s widely read article about ed reformers needing to buck up and realize the progress that has been made in recent decades. That leads me to chime in about the need to keep a decades-long view in order to appreciate the accomplishments of the charter school movement. We then talk about the fact that many ed reformers are in blue contexts, which are also the most difficult politically, and so the voice of those Folk is loud enough to drive the national narrative among ed reformers regarding prospects for continued impact, We close with Andy identifying the political folly of blues at a national level not embracing greater ed reform and charter schools as a way to win over critically needed swing voters.

SHOW NOTES:

• ASU-GSV "Brave New World" keynote from Michael Moe
• Vinod Khosla interview from ASU-GSV
• “Buck Up!” article from Eduwonk
• Economist on YouGov Poll
• The live WonkyFolk episode where we both praise Starlee: Video | Audio
• Eduwonk’s Public Relationists V. Achievement Realists
• Article about Proposal to change a school in Gainesville, Florida to selective admissions
• CharterFolk post about charter school history not being "a bucket of ashes."