WonkyFolk

This week Andy is talking while Jed is walking…hiking the Camino Trail with his wife, Amy. Andy is talking with Morgan Polikoff, Associate Professor of Education at the University of Southern California(USC)’s Rossier School of Education. 

Their conversation focuses on public opinion on education, particularly parent opinion, and the similarities and differences of post-pandemic K-12 experiences for students, parents, and families. A theme running through the discussion is how to build and use an accurate data model to overcome the overt political efforts to drive a wedge between parents and the public education system, shed light on the issues, and to create a healthy culture of free expression to work through complicated issues (e.g., transgender, sports, gay rights, and controversial topics and diversity in the curriculum).  

For those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well.  

References & Notes:

• The UAS Education Project data, documentation, and publications focused on “Understanding Coronavirus in America” by USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research (CSER)’s Center for Applied Research in Education (CARE)’s Understanding America Study (UAS) Education Project: https://uasdata.usc.edu/index.php

• Morgan Polikoff’s book, Beyond Standards: The Fragmentation of Governance and the Promise of Curriculum Reform: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Standards-Fragmentation-Governance-Curriculum/dp/1682536114/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TWUZ7FDJ0BKS&keywords=beyond+standards&qid=1697491913&sprefix=beyond+standards%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1

• A Controversial Topics Report from USC Dornsife CSER and USC Rossier School of Education: https://www.ednc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/House_Divided.pdf

• Bellwether’s Common Ground: How Public K-12 Schools Are Navigating Pandemic Disruptions and Political Trends: https://bellwether.org/publications/common-ground/

• Politico’s “Virginia Went to War Over History. And Students Actually Came Out on Top.”: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/09/09/glenn-youngkin-history-wars-virginia-00113958

This week, Andy and I are talking with Lakisha Young, the Founder and CEO of The Oakland REACH, and Heather Harding, Ed.D, the Executive Director of the Campaign for a Shared Future. Our conversation focuses on the difficult judgment calls parents and advocates are having to make as they attempt to retain focus on the learning needs of students amid proposed book bans and curriculum changes. A theme running through the discussion was the critical need for advocates to have “a home base” of policy priorities to anchor their efforts amid a political context that is becoming ever more mired in controversy and polarization.

And for those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well. 

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

• Introductions and the state of public education (00.03.00)
• Parent power, the work of The Oakland REACH, and shifting the narrative of the recent Oakland teachers' strike to focus on the harm done to students (00.06.25)
• Parent power, the work of the Campaign for Our Shared Future, and the 4 aspects of its national campaign (00.23.06)  
• The theory of action, power dynamics, and defining the wins, especially as they relate to urban education (00.29.24) 
• The influence of politics on curriculum, advocacy, and community-driven solutions (00.36.32)
• The Oakland REACHS’ Liberator Model (00.42.16)
• The real threats to public education, a definitional problem, confusion, and distractions (00.47.50)
• Book bans and the sensationalism of social and national media (00.53.40)
• Responding to divisive issues and staying grounded with a focus on a home base of teaching and learning (01.07.13)

You can use the following links to access 

• An Ipsos poll for ParentsTogether, “Most parents want classrooms to be places of learning, not political battlegrounds”: https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/most-parents-want-classrooms-be-places-learning-not-political-battlegrounds
• The Oakland REACH’s Liberator Model: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BQ0vHa9Nr-Tej6Pb0KhEijwwjXT9c-rv/view
• Reclaiming Math through our Liberator Model: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15pvOsW0b4yVv1eucw5P0WCDkoftdLCVt/view?ts=64ee73bb&pli=1
• Andrew Rotherham’s article, “A Definitional Problem: Please try to be a little more precise.” https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/a-definitional-problem

Andy and Jed are talking about traveling and the fun of summer, their two mystery guests for the next WonkyFolk, and finding educational common ground via the juxtaposition of partisan politics and genuine educational accomplishments in Virginia.

And for those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well. 

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

• The gentrification of college athletics (00.25)
• Traveling, family and summer fun before becoming empty nesters (01.30)
• Two amazing mystery guests, who specialize in educational politics, advocacy, parent organizing and empowerment, and will join us during our next WonkyFolk podcast (09.23)
• Setting the stage for states, like VA, putting the interest of the Commonwealth and the kids of the Commonwealth before political expediency in adopting new K-12 history and social studies standards (14.17)
• The education factor in Virginia elections (16.00)
• School choice and the lack of robust parent groups in Virginia (20.23)
• The political calculus to be made by rural Republicans in various states (22.20)
• The juxtaposition of the two parties on school choice and reproductive choice (24.10)
• Education, culture wars, and universal vouchers (28.00)
• The existential crisis for public school supporters (30.22)
• The juxtapositions of two articles focused on Mom’s for Liberty (36.03)

Notes:

You can use the following link to access 

• Michael B. Horn’s interview of Steve Mesler and Andy Rotherham, Rethinking Sports Education in Schools: https://michaelbhorn.substack.com/p/rethinking-sports-education-in-schools
• Rick Hess’ interview of Andy Rotherham, How One State Found Common Ground to Produce New History Standards: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-how-one-state-found-common-ground-to-produce-new-history-standards/2023/07
• Robert Pondiscio’s article, Who’s Afraid of Moms for Liberty? https://www.thefp.com/p/whos-afraid-of-moms-for-liberty
• Kate Briquelet’s article, DeSantis, Furries and Trump Merch: I Went to the Moms for Liberty Summit: https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-the-moms-for-liberty-summit-in-philly-we-saw-ron-desantis-furry-panic-and-lots-of-trump-merch

This week, Andy and I are talking about the Supreme Court denial to hear Charter Day School, Inc. v. Peltier “(wherein the plaintiffs justified their restrictive dress code by asserting that girls are ‘fragile vessels)”, other Supreme Court cases, the science of reading, and Moms for Liberty.

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

• The implications for charter schools of the Supreme Court decision not to hear the case (00:01:16)

• The potential for religious freedom advocates and lawyers to continue looking at the charter school space as an opportunity to advance things (00:06:06)

• Implications of other cases before the Supreme Court, e.g., affirmative action, student and teacher freedom of expression (00:18:28)

• The science of reading and phonics (00:26:51)

• Giving props to Emily Hamford, the journalist, who deserves credit for shedding light on this topic, getting traction, and changing policy (00:38:31)

• Moms for Liberty, their Sword of Liberty Award, and their impact on board of education decision making (00:40:00)

Notes:

• Charter Day School, Inc. et. al. Petitioners v. Bonnie Peltier, as Guardian of A.P., a Minor Child, et. al. rom the Supreme Court docket: https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/22-238.html

• You can use the following link to access Eva Moskowitz’s Wall Street Journal opinion article, “Phonics Finally Gets Its Due in New York”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-finally-gets-hooked-on-a-phonics-based-curriculum-school-system-education-students-teacher-public-f019bc45?mod=hp_opin_pos_6

This week, Andy and I are talking with Macke Raymond, the director of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) regarding CREDO’s As a Matter of Fact: National Charter School Study III, which is the third installment of a multi-decade study examining the academic progress of students enrolled in charter schools compared with those enrolled in traditional public schools.

Here is a link to our conversation where you can listen to the podcast. And for those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube as well.

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

• The heart of the matter, the meta message, the most important takeaway from the study: How are charters excelling? (00:02:13)
• The study methodology: How you can actually compare students’ performance in different schools? (00:05:13)
• Maintaining balance: Macke’s thoughts about how to frame the progress charter schools have made while also acknowledging areas needing improvement. (00:11:16)
• Macke’s thoughts regarding performance expectations, student learning, society in general, and CREDO’s future. (00:16:25)
• Focusing on other themes in the study: The performance of Native American students and students in the suburbs, as well as how virtual charter schools are performing. (00:18:51)
• Interest levels in the three studies from the media and policy makers and what this may portend for future policy making. (00:26:31)
• Macke’s “aha” and the people who get credit. (00:35:00)

Notes:

• “As a Matter of Fact: The National Charter School Study III,” is the latest CREDO study.
• The Methods and Data Overview describes how CREDO approached the study.

Can't take yes for an answer: what the teachers' unions and DeSantis have in common.

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

• Can’t say yes to equity and excellence (00:01:10)
• Can’t say yes to providing parents with timely access to results or resources and tools to support their kids in mitigating pandemic learning losses (00:08:42)
• Can’t say yes to improving the way we teach history and civics (00:18:59)
• Can’t say yes to academic freedom and the full exchange of ideas (00:28:28)
• Can’t say yes to what is best for kids as a core value of collective bargaining (00:35:28)

Notes:

• Economist article about math reforms in San Francisco that have generated neither excellence or equity.
• Emerging Democratic Majority book by John B. Judis
• Recent NYT article about Ruy Teixeira and his views on the modern positioning of the Democratic Party on key issues
• The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Markovitz
• NYT Op-ed by Tom Kane and Sean Reardon about parents not knowing how far behind their kids are.
• EdSource commentary by Steve Rees and David Osborne about the weakness of California’s new school dashboard
• The 74 article about dropping NAEP Civics results
• The Righteous Mind, Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt, 
• Tweet from Tom Loveless about the politicizing of NAEP releases
• Atlantic article by Conor Friedersdorf about recently passed Florida laws likely being deemed unconstitutional 
• Hemmingway quote (not Buffett) about going bankrupt gradually, then suddenly.

Amnesia about A Nation at Risk. Amnesia about Covid responses. And Jed wishing he could have amnesia about the King’s game on April 30, 2023.

----------

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

The 40th Anniversary of report, “A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform” (00:01:59)

Why the American economy has been able to persist despite the problems in education (00:04:59)

The equity shift to ensure the hyper-talented kids in the lowest quintile get the opportunity to go to college (00:10:05)

Why we think the Economist ‘s coverage of education lately has been really good (00:11:43)

A recognition of Marshall (Mike) Smith’s impact and role in A Nation at Risk (00:12:07)

The historical amnesia during last week’s Congressional committee hearing framed in terms of good guys versus bad guys (00:13:12)

Randi Weingarten’s modus operandi or MO and lack of responsibility (00:15:19)

The impacts of the pandemic in 2020-2023 (00:17:20)

Politics in Urban Settings and 50-50% Red State Politics (00.22.13)

New York realities and ironies (00:23:23)

The Post Janus Poker Game (00:25:29)

Virginia’s new content standards (00:28:17)

The need to help students learn how to grapple with a spectrum of ideas (00:30:55)

The materials, tools, and training teachers need for this content (00:35:33)

The value adds of the Core Knowledge Approach (00:36:57)

The link to the show notes referenced today. At the end of this description.

As ever, I’m eager to hear feedback and suggestions from CharterFolk. So, if you have a chance to listen to the discussion and want to drop me a line with some thoughts, feel free to reach me at [email protected] .

If you haven’t yet heard or seen the first and second volumes of WonkyFolk, you can access them here.

Meanwhile, I thank you once again for being part of the CharterFolk community and for the efforts you are making to improve educational opportunity in our country.

Show Notes:

Economist article about the surprising strength of the American economy over the past several decades. https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/04/13/from-strength-to-strength

The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Markovits, https://www.amazon.com/The-Meritocracy-Trap-audiobook/dp/B07V5KBLGT/ref=sr_1_1?crid=KCE4CF53LE13&keywords=meritocracy+trap&qid=1683056414&sprefix=meritocracy+trap%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

Nation at Risk Story in the Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2023/04/26/how-nationatrisk-report-hurt-public-schools/

Recognition of passing of Marshal (Mike) Smith https://twitter.com/arotherham/status/1653062577872576516

New York Times Article about Randi Weingarten https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/magazine/randi-weingarten-teachers-unions.html

C-Span entire Covid 19 hearing featuring testimony of Randi Weingarten https://www.c-span.org/video/?527655-1/teachers-union-president-testifies-covid-19-school-closures

C-Span coverage of Marjorie Taylor Greene stating that Randi Weingarten is not a mother https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5068192/rep-taylor-greene-aft-president-mother

C-Span Coverage of Terrell Bell Confirmation Hearings https://www.c-span.org/video/?88265-1/education-secretary-nomination-confirmation

2020 article showing Weingarten Calling for teacher strikes if schools re-open. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/strikes-are-an-option-to-force-schools-to-reopen-safely-aft-president-says/2020/07

Story on Weingarten and the AFT exerting influence on the CDC regarding Covid guidance. https://undark.org/2021/06/10/teachers-union-shaped-cdc-school-guidance/

Hochul offers a single word in support of lifting the charter school cap in NYC https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2022/10/wait-did-hochul-just-say-she-wants-lift-nyc-charter-school-cap/378967/

Differing views of education reformers regarding Hochul’s compromise to lift the cap by 14 schools in NYC https://www.amny.com/news/hochul-deal-zombie-charter-schools-2023/

Declining numbers of teachers are members of CTA https://www.the74million.org/article/exclusive-california-teachers-union-numbers-show-declining-membership-at-587-of-995-affiliates-since-2019/

Virginia adopts new state content standards https://www.virginiamercury.com/2023/04/20/after-months-of-debate-virginia-board-of-education-adopts-history-standards/

Anne Holton Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Holton

New Yorker profile of Zora Neale Hurston https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-zora-neale-hurston-we-dont-talk-about

Recent study showing benefits of Core Knowledge curriculum https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/long-last-ed-hirsch-jr-gets-his-due-new-research-shows-big-benefits-core

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

• We introduce ourselves (00:00:00)
• Reactions to the 2023 Chicago mayoral election results (00:02:39)
• Thoughts regarding the 2023 Denver mayoral election, which has two strong charter candidates in a June runoff (00:12:35)
• Gutsy mental health moves (00.20.50)
• The Biden Administration’s nuanced Title IX decisions (00:23:11)
• Implications of Supreme Court cases in Washington, North Carolina, and Oklahoma with an emphasis on broader religious liberty issues (00.30.50)
• Here is a link to the article Andy mentioned regarding last year’s main Supreme Court case as religious institutions come into closer contact with charters and the potential political risks that may be raised with a blurring of church state lines (00.36.15)

For those of you who would prefer a video recording, we provide a link to YouTube .

This week some of the topics we discuss include the following:

• Why are we making WonkyFolk
• Reactions to Nashville and trends we often miss at tragic moments like this
• The commonalities and differences facing public education in Los Angeles and Chicago
• Andy’s recommendation of the best read to prepare educators
• The changes that ChatGPT may or may not bring to public education