EdNext Podcast

As superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Tom Boasberg implemented a wide array of unconventional reforms, building a coalition based on pragmatism and a shared belief that change was a long overdue moral imperative. So write Parker Baxter, Todd L. Ely and Paul Teske in a new article for Education Next, "“Redesigning Denver’s Schools," available at https://www.educationnext.org/redesigning-denver-schools-rise-fall-superintendent-tom-boasberg

In this episode, Boasberg talks with Ed Next editor-in-chief Marty West about his decade-long effort to improve Denver's schools.

Colleges are trying harder to recruit high-achieving students from low-income families. And some organizations are now ranking colleges on the extent to which they provide opportunities to those students. But new research identifies problems with the way these rankings are calculated, and suggests that colleges should be looking at the numbers differently.

Caroline Hoxby, the Scott and Donya Bommer Professor in Economics at Stanford University and a senior fellow of the Hoover Institution, joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss her latest research piece, "The Right Way to Capture College "Opportunity", co-written with Sarah Turner.

https://www.educationnext.org/right-way-capture-college-opportunity-popular-measures-can-paint-wrong-picture-low-income-student-enrollment/

The Department of Education's proposed new Title IX regulations have generated over 72,000 comments and a lot of debate, especially the requirement that schools allow students who have filed sexual-assault complaints to be cross-examined.

As the public comment period for the new rules is about to close, Shep Melnick joins Marty West to discuss how federal mandates on sexual harassment have evolved and what happens next.

Melnick wrote about the proposed changes in "New Title IX Rules Require Hearings, Cross-Examinations in Colleges But Not High Schools."

https://www.educationnext.org/new-title-ix-rules-require-hearings-cross-examinations-in-colleges-not-high-schools/

Parents often rely on school shopping websites to find out more about schools they are considering for their children. A new study looks at how the content and layout of these websites influence how parents judge schools.

Ira Nichols-Barrer, a Senior Researcher at Mathematica and one of the authors of the study, joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss his findings. The study, "Presenting School Choice Information to Parents: An Evidence-Based Guide," was co-written with Steve Glazerman, Jon Valant, Jesse Chandler and Alyson Burnett.

A blog post summarizing the study is available at:

https://www.educationnext.org/design-with-care-school-information-displays-impact-school-choices/

Every year since 2010, Rick Hess and his team at AEI have ranked the university-based researchers who are doing the most to shape the conversation about education policy and practice.

Today Rick Hess talks with EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West about this year's Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings.

Read about the rankings here:

https://www.educationnext.org/2019-edu-scholar-public-influence-rankings/

When Magnolia Public Schools, a charter school network based in California, tried to open a new science academy in Anaheim, its proposal was opposed by lobbyists paid by the government of Turkey.

Caprice Young, former CEO of Magnolia Public Schools, joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's battles against charter schools across the U.S.

This is the subject of a new article by Menachem Wecker, "Turkey's Fight Against U.S. Charters."

https://www.educationnext.org/turkey-fight-against-us-charters-autocrat-declares-war-high-performing-american-schools

EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West sits down with Senior Editor Paul E. Peterson to talk about some of the most popular articles published by Education Next in 2018, articles on inclusion and special education, teacher evaluation, homework, and more.

Check out the Top 20 Education Next articles of 2018 here:

https://www.educationnext.org/top-20-education-next-articles-2018/

Chester E. Finn, Jr. joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the life and legacy of President George H.W. Bush. who declared on the campaign trail that he wanted to be "the education president."

In “Remembering Two Education Reformers," Finn wrote about Bush's education reform efforts, as well as those of Harold O. Levy, who also died last month.

https://www.educationnext.org/remembering-two-education-reformers/

Charles Barone, the chief policy officer at Democrats for Education Reform and Education Reform Now, joins Education Next Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the results of the midterm election and what impact they might have on education policy.

Barone recently wrote “Election 2018: The Voters Have Spoken” for EdNext, available at:

https://www.educationnext.org/election-2018-voters-have-spoken-what-did-they-say-about-education/

As college costs rise, some see cause for alarm in rising levels of student loan debt. However, a new study finds that students who take out loans do better in school. Lesley Turner joins Marty West to discuss that new study, "The Benefits of Borrowing: Evidence on student loan debt and community college attainment," which she co-authored with Benjamin M. Marx.

The study is available at:

https://www.educationnext.org/benefits-of-borrowing-evidence-student-loan-debt-community-college-attainment/