It was all good just a few summers ago! Folks of all backgrounds were marching, corporations were pledging, and America was, well…reckoning. Since the flurry of movement in support of racial justice in the summer of 2020, we have witnessed a severe backlash and regression that most recently has included the federal government attempting to make it illegal to even use the most basic vocabulary of equity and justice in schools. How did we get here, and how can educators survive, resist, and move forward? To help us explore these questions, we’re joined by educator and racial equity coach Joe Truss!! Joe is the founder of Truss Leadership and first appeared on AOTA on the eve of the summer of 2020 to discuss dismantling white supremacy culture in schools. But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent headlines in education including new data detailing students’ use of AI for schoolwork and polling that claims students are exposed to “woke” messages from their teachers on a near-daily basis. 

→ Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here!

→ View this episode on YouTube!

AGENDA

0:00 - Welcome!

5:55 - Number of teens using ChatGPT doubled in one year

21:21 - Poll: Does your teacher express woke ideas?

40:05 - Joe Truss on the backlash to DEI

1:21:05 - Transition housing for foster students

DO-NOW STORIES:

About a quarter of U.S. teens have used ChatGPT for schoolwork – double the share in 2023

Poll of High Schoolers Shows Many Are Taught That America Is ‘Inherently Racist’

Bridging the Divide over Critical Race Theory in America’s Classrooms

SEMINAR:

Truss Leadership

Joe Truss LinkedIn

CLASS DISMISSED:

The community college creating a home base for transition-age foster students

Get MORE All of the Above:

- Website

- Podcast on multiple platforms via Anchor

- Podcast via Apple Podcast

- Podcast via Spotify

- Facebook Page

Theme Music by its tajonthabeat

This Week: The nation’s report card is out, and the results are… meh. Manuel and Jeff get into it briefly before diving more deeply into the latest attacks on public education coming from DC and state governments. The administration handed down three executive orders this week that, if allowed to stand, would have disastrous impacts on the nation’s schools, and in particular on our most marginalized youth (see here, and here). We go deep on the “Ending Radical Indoctrination In K-12 Schooling” order, which mandates the teaching of lies to our children, and is a case study in authoritarian propaganda and anti democratic policymaking. Also, Oklahoma State Supt Ryan Walters furthered his record of hate and bigotry by passing a new rule (which still needs legislative approval) that would require parents in his state to prove citizenship or legal status of their children before enrolling in public school. This is a clear attempt to challenge the long standing precedent in the Plyler v. Doe Supreme Court decision, which outlawed these types of policies since the early 1980s. It’s getting rough out here folks, but we gotta stick together. Manuel and Jeff discuss!

WAYS TO HELP WITH THE EATON FIRE IN ALTADENA/PASADENA -- Please consider giving what you can! Here are links to GoFundMe pages set up by Altadena families, links to GoFundMe pages supporting Black families devastated by the Eaton fire, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s page set up to benefit Manuel’s school community, which has been devastated by the fire. Thanks for your support!

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA

Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow

This Week: In just the first few days in office, the Trump administration has used the powers of executive orders to enact hateful and violent policies intended to cause harm to marginalized people of all sorts, and enshrine white supremacy in the nation’s system of public schooling.  From their Orwellian press releases, to eliminating DEI offices, to placing individuals identified as having DEI related work on administrative leave, to taking down hundred of websites with resources for schools and colleges to use to promote equity and justice, the war for the soul of education has been ramped up to new heights. But, as bad as it is, all hope is not lost. Manuel and Jeff discuss!

WAYS TO HELP WITH THE EATON FIRE IN ALTADENA/PASADENA -- Please consider giving what you can! Here are links to GoFundMe pages set up by Altadena families, links to GoFundMe pages supporting Black families devastated by the Eaton fire, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation’s page set up to benefit Manuel’s school community, which has been devastated by the fire. Thanks for your support!

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA

Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow

This Week: As we celebrate MLK Jr. weekend, we thought it would be apt to have a special re-release of our recent discussion with Jesse Hagopian about his new book, Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education. Nearly half of our nation’s public school children are subject to laws that forbid honest education about the history of racism in this country. Two-thirds of US teachers report self-censoring discussions on race, gender, identity, and sexuality in their classrooms. How did we get here, and how can we collaboratively fight for the truth to be taught in our schools? Educator and activist Jesse Hagopian joins us this week to unpack his new book. Jesse is an editor for Rethinking Schools magazine, a founding member of Black Lives Matter at School, and the Director for the Zinn Education Project’s “Teaching for Black Lives" campaign. 

WAYS TO HELP WITH THE EATON FIRE IN ALTADENA/PASADENA -- Please consider giving what you can! Here are links to GoFundMe pages set up by Altadena families, links to GoFundMe pages supporting Black families devastated by the Eaton fire, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation.

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA

Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow

This Week: Everyone has seen the news of the devastating fires that have hit the LA area. Today Manuel shares the perspective of an educator at the front lines, working in the high school that has served the Altadena community for generations. Jeff adds perspective from schools and communities affected by the smoke and ash in Los Angeles, and together we process the meaning of this week’s tragic events.  

WAYS TO HELP WITH THE EATON FIRE IN ALTADENA/PASADENA -- Please consider giving what you can! Here are links to GoFundMe pages set up by Altadena families, links to GoFundMe pages supporting Black families devastated by the Eaton fire, and the Pasadena Educational Foundation.

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA

Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow

This Week: We're back for 2025 and we know talking about politics can be a bit, exhausting now. But, all hope is not lost! There’s good news at the state level in CA with new protections for LGBTQ+ students and the educators who support them, improvements to the history curriculum to teach a more honest history of colonialism and segregation, and more! Plus, out of the great state of Arkansas, a federal judge bans the draconian, right wing law that would support citizens to challenge “controversial” books in libraries, and subject librarians to criminal prosecution. Who says all hope is lost? Manuel and Jeff discuss!

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA
Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow

Nearly half of our nation’s public school children are subject to laws that forbid honest education about the history of racism in this country. Two-thirds of US teachers report self-censoring discussions on race, gender, identity, and sexuality in their classrooms. How did we get here, and how can we collaboratively fight for the truth to be taught in our schools? Educator and activist Jesse Hagopian joins us this week to unpack his new book, Teach Truth: The Attack on Critical Race Theory and the Struggle for Antiracist Education. Jesse is an editor for Rethinking Schools magazine, a founding member of Black Lives Matter at School, and the Director for the Zinn Education Project’s “Teaching for Black Lives" campaign. But first, Jeff and Manuel take a look at recent headlines in education including schools prepping for upheaval over fears of mass deportations and a new study highlighting the benefits of Ethnic Studies in high schools.

→ Get your Teach the Truth T-Shirt here!

→ View this episode on YouTube!

AGENDA

0:00 - Welcome!

5:45 - Educational impact of mass deportation fears

17:43 - Study highlights benefits of Ethnic Studies

30:00 - Jesse Hagopian on the Struggle for Antiracist Education

1:14:52 - Preparing for a worsening political climate in education

DO-NOW STORIES:

Schools are bracing for upheaval over fear of mass deportations

California Bill Would Protect Schools, Child Care Centers From Immigration Raids

Ethnic studies boosts critical thinking, equity awareness in high school students

Judge rejects lawsuit over ‘liberated’ ethnic studies classes in LAUSD

SEMINAR:

Jesse Hagopian Website

Teach Truth: The Struggle for Antiracist Education

Black Lives Matter At School: An Uprising for Educational Justice

Teaching for Black Lives

Teacher Unions and Social Justice

More Than a Score: The New Uprising Against High Stakes Testing.

CLASS DISMISSED:

Fill your cup, friends.

Get MORE All of the Above:

- Website

- Podcast on multiple platforms via Anchor

- Podcast via Apple Podcast

- Podcast via Spotify

- Facebook Page

Theme Music by its tajonthabeat

This Week: A fascinating story about what’s happening to higher ed in rural America out of the Hechinger Report reveals that across the country options for rural students are shrinking dramatically, with campuses closing, and dozens of majors and key programs being cut. Enrollment is down, but advocates say the cuts are going beyond the needed adjustments and are leaving rural students -- many of whom are low income, first generation, and students of color -- with a separate and unequal college experience. That’s not to mention what it means to limit the course of study for the nation’s students, especially in the humanities. Manuel and Jeff discuss!

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA

Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow

This Week: We’re tired of talking about right wing nonsense… but they got the former head of the WWE ready to be in charge of the nation’s education system, so we gotta talk about it a little. And, a fascinating story out of NYC about students getting cartoons and screen time instead of outdoor recess. Parents are, rightfully, concerned.  Why does recess matter? Why isn’t the quality of recess higher on our list of priorities when it comes to resources? Manuel and Jeff discuss!

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA

Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow

This Week: Oklahoma State Supt Ryan Walters makes a truly dystopian video that he “mandated” all schools show to the students announcing the creation of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism. Trump continues plotting and scheming for his assault on public education with a new-ish 10 point plan, complete with support for book bans, attacks on teacher tenure, teaching white supremacist history, and banning the honest teaching of history. But, at the same time, the march to right wing insanity is hitting notable roadblocks. A federal court ruling out of Louisiana rules that their state’s law requiring the posting of the 10 commandments in classrooms is unconstitutional. With some good news in the face of an onslaught of right wing attacks, all is not lost. Manuel and Jeff discuss!

MAXIMUM WOKENESS ALERT -- get your All of the Above swag, including your own “Teach the Truth” shirt! In this moment of relentless attacks on teaching truth in the classroom, we got you covered. https://all-of-the-above-store.creator-spring.com 

Passing Period is an AOTA podcast extra that gives us a chance to check-in, reflect, and discuss powerful stories in between our full episodes. 

Watch, listen and subscribe to make sure you don't miss our latest content!

Website: https://AOTAshow.com

Stream all of our content at: linktr.ee/AOTA  

Watch at: YouTube.com/AlloftheAbove

Listen at: apple.co/38QV7Bd and anchor.fm/AOTA
Follow us at: Facebook.com/AOTAshow and Twitter.com/AOTAshow