In this episode of Policy Chats, Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, sits down with host Dori Pham to discuss education policy and the role of school choice in expanding opportunity for students. Drawing on his experience in education reform, Mitchell explains how policies such as charter schools, education savings accounts, and voucher programs aim to give families more options and improve educational outcomes.

The conversation explores key debates surrounding school choice, including accountability, funding structures, and equity. Mitchell also discusses how competition and innovation can influence school quality and how policymakers attempt to balance parental choice with oversight.

The episode concludes with a reflection on how education policy shapes economic mobility and why future policymakers must carefully consider incentives, institutional design, and long-term investment in education.

🔍 Topics Covered

• The foundations and goals of modern school choice policy

• Charter schools, vouchers, and education savings accounts

• Expanding educational opportunity for underserved communities

• The relationship between competition, innovation, and school quality

• Policy debates around accountability and public funding

• Balancing parental choice with oversight and equity

• Education policy as a pathway to economic mobility

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the interviewers and guests alone and do not reflect the official positions of the UC Riverside School of Public Policy or the University of California, Riverside.

🎧 Guest Speaker: Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow, American Federation for Children
Interviewed by: Dori Pham, Host of Policy Chats & Andrew Shannon, Dean's Brand Ambassador
🎵 Music by Vir Sinha

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