Quality Matters

Uncovering the Real Drivers of Success in Education and Leadership 

In this episode of Quality Matters, we sat down with Erik Ellefsen and Ben Bajarin to explore what true educational quality looks like—beyond test scores and standardized assessments. Erik, a leader in school networks and improvement, emphasizes that the foundation of high-quality education lies in relationships, engagement, and empowerment, while Ben, a business and technology strategist, draws parallels between building effective teams in the corporate world and fostering strong educational environments.

With insights from his groundbreaking research on school choice and civic outcomes, University of Arkansas professor, Dr. Patrick Wolf reveals how empowering parents to choose schools creates not just academic gains but stronger, more engaged citizens.

Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Dan Hamlin. Dan's perspective sheds light on the dynamic landscape of education and the factors fueling this transformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking breakdown conversation.

In this episode of Quality Matters, we sit down with Dan Hamlin to explore the vision behind the Emerging School Models Conference, which he co-founded with Paul Peterson. Dan shares insights gained over the past three years as enrollment and interest in the conference continue to surge, reflecting an undeniable appetite for innovative educational approaches. Together, Shaka, Caitlin and Dan delve into why parents are increasingly prioritizing self-discipline, the social and civic outcomes offered by diverse school models, and whether these shifts are driven by people being pushed out of traditional systems or pulled into new ways of learning. Dan's perspective sheds light on the dynamic landscape of education and the factors fueling this transformation. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation and let us know your take on the future of school models.

Join Caitlin and Shaka as they dive into another thought-provoking Breakdown of their interview with Chad Auer. They explore Chad's insights on transparency as a crucial tool in shaping effective education policies and discuss the importance of getting the right people in the right roles to drive impactful change. Not everyone needs to lead or take the activist route, but every role matters in creating quality outcomes for students. Tune in as they uncover valuable lessons that lead to educational success!

Chad Auer is a Senior Policy Advisor for Wyoming Governor, Mark Gordon, and he is a true renaissance man. Chad is a father, lawyer, rancher, former-mayor, and even a stablecoin architect. He joins Caitlin and Shaka to discuss the relationships between good governance and transparency, personal relationships and good public policy – showing us that Wyoming is much more than “fly-over” country.

Each episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Gerard Robinson.

Gerard Robinson is a distinguished professor at the University of Virginia, bringing a wealth of expertise in education policy, criminal justice, and economic mobility. Notably, he is one of the few individuals in the nation to have held cabinet-level positions in multiple states, serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Education and Virginia’s Secretary of Education. Recently, Robinson has shifted his focus toward prison reform, dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals and advocating for a more equitable justice system.

Each episode of Quality Matters features a Breakdown, where Caitlin and Shaka highlight the most potent parts of their most recent interview. On this episode they breakdown their conversation with Dr. Ashley Berner of Johns Hopkins University.