Host of Rock The Schools, Chris Stewart engages Dr. Kalam Id-Din in a discussion on facing the truth about education integration and our nation’s history of education homogenization, a term made famous in the 1940s by C.S. Lewis, most notably known for creating The Chronicles of Narnia. The term education homogenization was written about in his satirical book The Screwtape Letters, where C.S. Lewis creates a worldly wise old devil as the main character, who writes letters to his novice demon nephew Wormwood, charged with securing the damnation of an ordinary young man. Recently, Dr. Rafiq R. Kalam Id-Din wrote an article about integration in Education Week that has a chilling resemblance to the education homogenization narrative.

Education Week May 4, 2017 "Black Teachers Matter. School Integration Doesn’t” by Rafiq R. Kalam Id-Din II is available at: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/05/04/black-teachers-matter-school-integration-doesnt.html

Rock The Schools host, Chris Stewart talks to hip-hop artist and educator Chadwick “Niles” Phillips about how education changed his life and his quest to help and support youth in recognizing their talent. Chadwick’s challenging youth growing up in Michigan was filled with trauma and at the same time, filled with support that enabled him to dream and pursue a better future. He found a path by excelling in school, which led to an opportunity to go to college. Today, Chadwick is focused on education activism and helping youth pursue their dreams, instead of the pressure to conform to an education system that inadequately prepares students for academic success and oftentimes suppresses their individual creative and intellectual gifts. Join the conversation on Facebook at Rock The Schools News. #SayNoToEducationHomogenization"

Chris Stewart, host of Rock The Schools is doing a progress check-in with parent led organization Parent Advocators, whose last RTS show was in December 2015 (Episode 27). We caught up with Dana Wade and Latoya Douglas of Parent Advocators after their trip to Memphis, TN meeting to attend a community organizers’ group meeting on education.

Chris Stewart visits Minneapolis North High School to talk to four students about their academic success. Hear Taryn and Taylor tell their stories of a unique coding sisterhood (Girls Who Code) and twin scholars Allie (valedictorian) and Alex (salutatorian) talk about their path to academic excellence. Please consider supporting Girls Who Code at Minneapolis North High School by mailing donations to North Community High School at: 1555 James Ave. N. or by calling 612.688.1700. Girls Who Code's Director, Mr. Thomas Waltower discusses the challenges he faced in getting the girls coding program launched. Subscribe to Rock The Schools on iTunes and under podcast at citizen.education.

Hear Chris Stewart, host of Rock The Schools and Dr. Heilig passionately agree and disagree on school choice issues. This episode of Rock The Schools is a powerful resource for parents, students and educators to advocate for education reform that provides a great education for all students.

Shelby J.’s highly anticipated solo album was released on April 21st in honor of Prince, who made her promise to finish the album. It is a tribute to the education she received from her friend and mentor, the purple Yoda himself, Prince. Today’s segment focuses on Shelby J. and how Prince inspired and challenged her to be the best.

In 2011, Jeffrey Hassan, Executive Director of the African American Leadership Forum, published an education reported titled “Crisis in Our Community” describing best practices in K-12 Education for African American children in the Twin Cities, with a rating of the top 10 schools in elementary, middle and high school for African American children, based upon proficiency and growth. Hear Mr. Hassan give an update on the goal of closing the five education gaps outlined in the report and what AALF is doing to address the education crisis in the Twin Cities. Go to: http://aalftc.org to learn more.

A passion for the state of the US education system, and the looming problem of fundamental mathematical mastery for a large percentage of K-12 and post-secondary students is what drives Dr. Trina Coleman. Hear Dr. Coleman articulate why math literacy must be the focus to equip more students to become the new technologic and scientific workforce that is currently in short supply of African-American employees, as well as, other racial groups. What is happening to gifted students in schools? Discover real solutions to help close the race/gender gap is Dr. Coleman’s goal. For more information, go to: https://www.academicblueblood.com

This special episode of Rock The Schools with Dr. Bernice A. King pays tribute to her mother, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, in honor of women’s history month. Her recently published memoir “My Life, My Love, My Legacy is inspirational for girls, encouraging for women and men to get a glimpse of the challenges their female counterparts face daily.

Congratulations to the students of Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama for earning the “Spirit of Rosa Parks Innovation Award” and taking ownership of their education achievement journey. Hear the story of how these students are determined to succeed and what they feel adults can do more of to encourage and support them. For more information, go to: http://www.lanier.mps-al.org