S1E4 - Sort-of-free speech: First amendment rights in schools

Where and how do schools curtail free expression rights, and what is the history behind that? What do you, and do you not, have the right to say if you're a student (or teacher) in a school...or even off-campus?

Click here for a list of sources for this episode.

Next episode posts on Friday, 5/15

S2E3 - Not so plain English - Educating English Language Learners

When educational research and politics fall at odds, what happens to the students caught in the middle? Ten percent of students in the USA are English Language Learners, and that number is growing, yet for reasons both pedagogical and political, schools face an uphill battle in serving these children. Learn more in this episode.

For a list of sources used in this episode, click here.

Next episode will post on Friday, May 8th

S2E2 - The women behind the man behind progressive education

Francis W. Parker became the great unsung hero of progressive education in America only because of several even lesser known, yet incredible, women who inspired, financed, and advanced his ideas. Learn more about all of them in this episode.

     

Francis Parker          Elizabeth Peabody               Anita Blaine       Zonia Baber            Flora Cooke

For a list of sources used in this episode, click here.

Next episode will post on Friday, May 1

S2E1 - Unchartered Territory (or, What's the deal with charter schools?)

We kick off season two with a no holds-barred look at charter schools! Few issues in education are so divisive, yet so often misunderstood, than the issue of charter schools. This episode will explore the history behind charter schools, the many facets of the charter school debate, and the extremely messy body of research about charter schools' impacts on students and communities.

For a list of sources used in this episode, click here.

Next episode will post on Friday, April 24

S2E0 - Teaching and learning in the shadow of COVID-19

Season 2, Episode 0: At this moment in time there is no way to have an education podcast without a discussion of how COVID-19 has created sudden and radical shifts in how we teach and learn. As I'm readying Season Two's episodes for release, I wanted to take some time first to speak with real teachers and see how they and their students are adapting, or trying to adapt, to these unprecedented times. On today's show we interview three teachers about their experiences during the last couple of weeks. I plan to do a follow-up set of interviews a few weeks from now as well. If you're a teacher (or student, or parent) who wants to share their experiences with teaching and learning during the coronavirus crisis, please email me at [email protected].

And, for a little levity, here's one school's message to its students (keep watching, it gets better and better):

Special episode - We're all homeschoolers now

The COVID-19 crisis has suddenly and unexpectedly made homeschoolers out of all Americans. In this episode, we take a look at the history of homeschooling, as well as present an interview with one local mom who has been homeschooling for the last six years.

Season 1, Episode 13: The insane secret history of the SATs, Part II

We conclude Season One with part two of the bizarre, epic saga of the SAT test.

Watch this website for updates as to when Season Two will start publishing, on our usual biweekly schedule...probably some time this summer.

Season 1, Episode 12: The insane secret history of the SATs, Part I

The origins of the infamous SAT exam are worthy of epic movie treatment: Nazis! Communists! Hot dog vendors! Sharpen your number two pencil, then sit down and listen to part one of our season finale.

Season 1, Episode 11: They called me mad (Pestalozzi and Montessori)

We discuss the lives of two rebels who fought against insurmountable odds to promote teaching methods that changed the world: Johann Pestalozzi and Maria Montessori. Prepare for a wild ride!

Season 1, Episode 10: Help! How do I manage the students?

Classroom management is one of the most difficult elements of the teaching profession for new teachers, and even for veterans. While there's no magic solution, I can at least share some best practices.