In this episode of EdFix, Judge David Tatel, who served nearly three decades on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit—the nation’s second highest court—shares his remarkable journey from civil rights lawyer to judicial trailblazer. Blind since his mid-30s, Judge Tatel has dedicated his career to expanding access to justice and improving opportunities for all. He reflects on pivotal moments in education law, including school desegregation, affirmative action, and Title IX, while offering his perspective on recent Supreme Court decisions that are reshaping the educational landscape. Judge Tatel also discusses his powerful new book, Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice, providing listeners with a deeply personal and inspiring look at the intersection of his life, law, and justice. [Transcript for Episode 41 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]

The Southern Education Foundation has played a crucial role in transforming education for African American and low-income students in the South. Dr. Raymond Pierce, former civil rights attorney and dynamic President and CEO of the Southern Education Foundation, dives into the organization’s rich history, rooted in the aftermath of the Civil War, and its relentless mission to revolutionize education. In this episode, Dr. Pierce addresses the ongoing challenges of achieving educational equity, highlighting the essential contribution of civics education in advancing racial justice and democracy. Despite the many obstacles, he remains optimistic about the potential for progress and the future of equitable education. [Transcript for Episode 40 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]

Dr. Ryan Watkins, Professor of Educational Technology at George Washington University, describes artificial intelligence (AI) as computational tools that can do things that, until recently, we thought only humans could do. He believes that platforms such as ChatGPT bring both groundbreaking opportunities and ethical considerations to education. To embrace the reality of AI in our classrooms, he advocates for a shift in teaching and assessment strategies so we can foster the critical thinking skills needed for success in the digital age. 

[Transcript for Episode 39 is available on EdFixPodcast.com.]

As President and CEO of ETS (Educational Testing Service), Amit Sevak is keenly aware of the growing concern over the perceived value of education and standardized testing. To address these challenges, he is leading a transformation at ETS towards a more human-centric approach, with a focus on educator solutions, global mobility, and professional credentialing. And he believes that crafting assessments that showcase skills in new ways, backed by rigorous research, can help break the cycle of entrenched inequalities in education and open up new avenues of opportunity in the workforce.

[Transcript for Episode 38 is available on EdFixPodcast.com.]

For nearly three decades, Jack Jennings was the foremost expert on education policy in the U.S. House of Representatives. His legacy spans some of the most significant legislative initiatives, including the Elementary and Secondary Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Higher Education Act. After leaving Congress, Jack founded and led the Center on Education Policy, a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank focused on the improvement of public schools. In this fascinating conversation, Jack shares his reflections on bipartisanship, the effects of our Federalist system, and a blueprint for cultivating a pipeline of exceptional teachers.

Learn more about Jack Jennings: JackJenningsDC.com

[Transcript for Episode 37 is available at edfixpodcast.com]

Community colleges welcome learners of all backgrounds and ages with low-cost tuition and open admission policies. According to Robert (Bob) Schwartz, co-author of America’s Hidden Economic Engines: How Community Colleges Can Drive Shared Prosperity, these institutions are also extremely well-suited to forge strategic partnerships with industry leaders, skillfully addressing the demands of local labor markets. Through these collaborations, students, employers, and the community reap the rewards of tailored skill development programs. Yet community colleges often face inadequate funding for these kinds of initiatives. Bob advocates for increased recognition and investment in such alternative pathways to help unlock the full potential of community colleges.

[Transcript for Episode 36 is availble on EdFixPodcast.com.]

In October of 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court heard two cases challenging race-conscious admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. As a result, most people expect the court’s ruling to end affirmative action policies, significantly affecting the way universities consider an applicant’s race during the admissions process. In this extended bonus episode, esteemed experts Amy Berman, Deputy Director of the National Academy of Education, and Rick Kahlenberg, Professorial Lecturer of Public Policy at the George Washington University and Nonresident Scholar at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, offer unique perspectives on race-based preferences in college admissions–and the potential ramifications of the court’s decision on the pursuit of educational diversity.

This episode was recorded during an education policy graduate class session taught by podcast host Michael J. Feuer. For copies of Amy Berman's slides and Rick Kahlenberg's slides, which are referenced in the episode, visit EdFixPodcast.com.

[Transcript for Episode 35 is also available on EdFixPodcast.com]

How does an online secondary school establish a reputation as a legitimate and academically challenging institution? And can we really foster personal connections–so important to youth development–in a virtual environment? Join us as Head of School Alison Mistretta, Associate Head of School Maria Coyle, and GW Professor Michael Corry unveil the striking success story of the GWU Online High School. They share insights into overcoming skepticism around the quality of virtual learning, meeting the social and emotional needs of high school students, and furthering knowledge to improve the field of online education.

[Transcript for Episode 34 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]

Can the lessons from history challenge today's students to stand up to bigotry and hate? If so, are there resources for teachers that can facilitate productive conversations about heavy headlines? Abby Weiss and Dimitry Anselme, from the non-partisan organization Facing History and Ourselves, discuss the professional development and rigorous content that educators need to help young people wrestle with these moments, talk across differences, and understand their place in a complicated world.

[Transcript for Episode 33 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]

Dr. Holden Thorp believes that education research is as crucial as research in the “hard” sciences—a surprising perspective coming from the Editor-In-Chief of the Science family of journals, a chemist by training, and former Chancellor of UNC Chapel Hill. He warns that scientists' tendencies to emphasize facts and memorization has led to a lack of appreciation for the critical role of pedagogy and a public misunderstanding of how knowledge is produced. These oversights have real-world implications, from the politicization of curricula in AP courses to the spread of misinformation about climate change and public health. Drawing on his extensive experience in science and education, Dr. Thorp shares his insights into what the scientific community can do to get its house in order.

[Transcript for Episode 32 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]