The Learning Curve

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Charlie Chieppo and Ret. MN Justice Barry Anderson interview Edward Achorn, a noted writer, historian, and author of Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention That Changed History. Achorn shares insights into Lincoln's improbable political rise and the critical events leading to his 1860 Republican presidential nomination, including his strategic maneuvering following his defeat in the 1858 Illinois Senate race. He discusses the significance of the 1860 Republican Convention in Chicago, where Lincoln bested more prominent candidates like William Seward. Mr. Achorn also examines the broader political landscape of the time and the importance of Lincoln's second inaugural address, delivered amidst the Civil War's devastation, and its profound impact on American political discourse. Additionally, Achorn highlights Lincoln's intellectual influences and how his mastery of language shaped pivotal moments in American history. He brings to life the key figures surrounding Lincoln during his second inauguration, painting a vivid picture of Washington at this crucial juncture in the nation's past. In closing, Achorn reads a passage from his book Every Drop of Blood.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng interview Lance Izumi, Koret Senior Fellow and Senior Director of Education Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. Mr. Izumi delves into his latest book, The Great Classroom Collapse: Teachers, Students, and Parents Expose the Collapse of Learning in America's Schools. He discusses why, despite decades of education reforms and vast spending, many American students remain underprepared in critical subjects like reading and math. He explores how the focus on social justice and political agendas has shifted attention away from academic quality and meritocracy in K-12 education, leading to troubling outcomes in many districts. Mr. Izumi highlights widespread issues in reading instruction, including the long-standing evidence for phonics and why NAEP reading scores have stagnated over the years. He shares concern of "constructivist" math methods and reflects on the impact of Common Core on declining math scores nationwide. Izumi concludes with reform recommendations aimed at restoring academic rigor and equality of opportunity in American schools.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and AFC’s Walter Blanks interview Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children and Founder of Black Minds Matter, Denisha Allen. Denisha shares her journey and the motivations behind founding Black Minds Matter, a national movement dedicated to celebrating Black excellence and promoting high-quality educational options for Black students. She delves into the politics of urban school reform, highlighting the challenges posed by race and class-based achievement gaps and the political influence of teachers' unions. Mrs. Allen also reflects on the evolving landscape of charter school politics and how the pandemic has reshaped education by increasing interest in diverse school choice options like charters, homeschooling, and microschools. She discusses the implications of the "Year of School Choice" in 2021, marked by expanded voucher and ESA programs, and questions why, despite large federal education expenditures, national reading and math scores have been stagnant or declining. Finally, Denisha shares her vision for what policymakers and parents should do to dramatically improve academic outcomes for America's students.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and Dr. Jocelyn Chadwick interview fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the British Academy, Prof. Richard Holmes. Prof. Holmes delves into the life and literary legacy of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, one of the most significant poets of the Romantic era. Holmes offers a comprehensive overview of Coleridge's early education, highlighting how classical learning deeply influenced his worldview and writings. He also touches on Coleridge's passionate anti-slavery views within the turbulent political landscape of late 18th-century Britain, providing context for his masterpiece, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Holmes further explores Coleridge's use of symbolism, particularly the iconic albatross and the haunting ghost ship, illustrating how these elements convey the poet's themes of guilt, nature, and human destructiveness. Prof. Holmes additionally covers Coleridge's struggles with opium addiction, reflecting on how it shaped his life and creative output. Holmes also underscores Coleridge's enduring influence on British Romantic poetry and its profound impact on the American Renaissance, encouraging educators and students to continue cherishing his timeless works. In closing, Prof. Holmes reads a passage from his two-volume biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and Alisha Searcy of DFER interview the NYT’s South Asia correspondent, Anupreeta Das. Ms. Das discusses how she became interested in writing her acclaimed biography, Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World, emphasizing Gates’ corporate and philanthropic influence on our era. She draws comparisons between Gates and other tech giants like Apple’s Steve Jobs and the 19th-century American tycoons Vanderbilt, Carnegie, and Rockefeller, exploring their similarities and differences. Ms. Das also delves into Gates' early life, his pivotal role in the microcomputer and software revolutions, and the founding of Microsoft, highlighting his collaboration with Paul Allen and the innovative corporate culture they established. She further examines the landmark antitrust case, United States v. Microsoft, and its lasting effects on Gates and the tech industry. Finally, Das reflects on Gates' complex personal legacy and the broader implications of tech billionaires exerting significant influence over our democratic society. In closing, Das reads a passage from her book Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and Meredith Coolidge of DFER - MA interview President and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, Starlee Coleman. Ms. Coleman discusses her role as CEO of the Texas Public Charter Schools Association, highlighting the growth of charter schools in Texas, as well as the broader efforts to expand school choice. She addresses the complexities of charter school politics, the right-left coalition, and the need to bridge political divisions. Coleman also explores the challenges of maintaining academic quality amid the rapid expansion of charter schools, the role of authorizers, and the impact of federal K-12 spending on education outcomes. She concludes by discussing the political dynamics within the Democratic Party and the future of charter schools in states with strong teachers' unions.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Charlie Chieppo and Meredith Coolidge of DFER-MA interview Houston Independent School District, Superintendent Mike Miles. Mr. Miles reflects on his lifelong dedication to public service, starting as a soldier, then a diplomat, and later as an educational leader. He shares insights into his family background and formative experiences that shaped his commitment to serving the public. Miles discusses his time at West Point and how his service in the Army Ranger Battalion and as a Company Commander influenced his approach to leadership in large urban school districts. He delves into his diplomatic experiences in Poland and Russia during the Cold War, emphasizing the role of K-12 education in maintaining a free society and national security. Transitioning to his career in education, Mr. Miles talks about the challenges he faced as superintendent of the Harrison School District, Colorado Springs, and his urban district reform efforts in Dallas and Houston, Texas. Finally, Supt. Miles discusses the importance of urban education reform, the role of school choice, and the need to combat the chronic underperformance and despair affecting young people in American cities.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DEFR and retired MN Justice Barry Anderson interview Dr. David Heidler. He discusses the transformative period of Jacksonian Democracy, from 1829 to 1837. Dr. Heidler explores the political changes, sectionalism, and reforms that characterized the era, alongside the controversial figure of Andrew Jackson, whose volatile nature and strategic political management propelled his rise and image. Heidler delves into Jackson's presidential campaigns, his party's appeal to diverse coalitions, and the significant role of slavery, particularly in the wake of events like Nat Turner's 1831 slave rebellion. He also examines Jackson's relationships with prominent statesmen like Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and John C. Calhoun; his influence on Indian removal policies leading to the Trail of Tears; as well as the divergent constitutional views of figures like the abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison and the states’ rights advocate, Calhoun. Dr. Heidler underscores how history, classic literature, and slave memoirs can enhance understanding of Antebellum America. He discusses the importance of examining the economic impact of immigration and transportation innovations, and highlights the influence of civic associations, religious movements, and communication advancements on the period's social reforms and democratic spirit. In closing, Dr. Heidler reads a passage from his coauthored book, The Rise of Andrew Jackson: Myth, Manipulation, and the Making of Modern Politics.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DEFR and Mike Goldstein interview Joshua Angrist, the Ford Professor of Economics at MIT. Prof Angrist shares his journey from growing up in Pittsburgh to becoming a Nobel Prize-winning economist. He reflects on his family, formative educational experiences, and his time as a paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Forces, where he gleaned valuable life lessons. Prof. Angrist explores the controversies and his motivations behind studying K-12 education, emphasizing what policymakers often overlook about education and labor markets. He discusses his groundbreaking research on charter schools, highlighting how his findings have influenced policymakers. Angrist also talks about his Nobel-winning work on the analysis of causal relationships in economics and the innovative research currently underway at Blueprint, his lab at MIT.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts DFER's Alisha Searcy and Mike Goldstein interview Stanford University Prof. Arnold Rampersad, author of Jackie Robinson: A Biography. He discusses the life and legacy of Robinson, the hall of fame baseball player and history-changing civil rights leader. Prof. Rampersad talks about Jackie Robinson's journey from rural Georgia, his athletic triumphs at UCLA, and his struggles against poverty and racism. He continues by exploring Robinson's military service, his time in the Negro Leagues, and Branch Rickey's pivotal role in helping Jackie break Major League Baseball’s color barrier. Prof. Rampersad highlights Robinson's historic MLB career, his profound impact on civil rights, and his enduring legacy.