EdNext Podcast

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Ep. 99 - Oct. 25, 2017: Innovative University Gets Yellow Light from DOE Oct 24, 2017

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Western Governors University has earned praise for its innovative model of competency-based learning. But the U.S. Department of Education’s Inspector General has called for the government to bar WGU students from federal student aid programs. In this episode, Michael Horn of the Christensen Institute joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the WGU model and why a government audit found it wanting. Horn wrote about this in a recent blog post, “Government Accountability Goes Unaccountable: Chilling WGU’s Innovation Engine," available at: http://educationnext.org/government-accountability-goes-unaccountable-chilling-wgus-innovation-engine/

Ep. 98 - Oct. 18, 2017: Using Technology to Advance Student Learning Oct 17, 2017

Show notes

Tom Vander Ark joins EdNext editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the benefits of technology in schools and why it would be a mistake to reject the use of computers in the classroom. In a new EdNext forum on whether screen time in schools should be limited, Tom wrote “The Problem Is Wasted Time, not Screen Time.” http://educationnext.org/problem-is-wasted-time-not-screen-time-forum-scoggin-vander-ark/

Ep. 97 - Oct. 11, 2017: Getting Screen Time Right in Schools Oct 10, 2017

Show notes

How does the current array of technology in schools fit with the ages-old aspiration of forming thoughtful and reflective young men and women who will strive for a greater good beyond themselves? That’s the question Daniel Scoggin raises in his half of a new Education Next forum, “Should We Limit Screen Time in School?” Read his article, "Putting Dialogue over Devices Shapes Mind and Character," here: http://educationnext.org/putting-dialogue-over-devices-shapes-mind-and-character-forum-scoggin-vander-ark

Ep. 96 - Oct. 4, 2017: K-12 Tax Credit Scholarships Boost College Enrollment in Florida Oct 03, 2017

Show notes

In a speech last week at Harvard University, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos noted that a new study from the Urban Institute finds that a Florida program designed to expand access to private schools has helped more low income students enroll in college. In this episode of the podcast, Matt Chingos, one of the authors of the study, talks with Marty West about how the Florida Tax Credit scholarship program works, how the effects of the program were studied, and how his findings fit in with those of other studies of voucher and tax credit programs. Matt wrote about the study for EdNext in "Private School Choice Increases College Enrollment in Florida. Could It Work Nationally?" http://educationnext.org/private-school-choice-increases-college-enrollment-florida-work-nationally/

Ep. 95 - Sept. 27, 2017: How Districts Can Make Smart Ed-Tech Purchases Sep 26, 2017

Show notes

Read Rob's article, "How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off by Ed-Tech Vendors," here: http://educationnext.org/how-to-avoid-getting-ripped-off-ed-tech-vendors-ten-tips/

Ep. 94 - Sept. 20, 2017: The Consequences of Chronic Absenteeism Sep 20, 2017

Show notes

Brian A. Jacob of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the causes and consequences of chronic absenteeism in schools. Jacob wrote about this subject with Kelly Lovett here: http://educationnext.org/chronic-absenteeism-old-problem-search-new-answers/

Ep. 93 - Sept. 13, 2017: What If the Government Regulated Schools But Did Not Run Them? Sep 13, 2017

Show notes

As Ashley Berner explains in a new book, public education does not have to mean that all schools are the same. In earlier days, and in other countries, the government is the regulator of schools and provides quality control but does not directly operate all schools. This version of public education may better reflect American democracy, Berner notes. Ashley Berner joins Marty West to discuss pluralism and public education in this week's episode of the EdNext podcast. A blog entry she wrote based on her book appeared earlier this year: http://educationnext.org/to-improve-education-america-look-beyond-traditional-school-model/ Also, Robert Pondiscio reviewed her book for EdNext: http://educationnext.org/pitfalls-of-uniform-state-run-public-education-berner/

Ep. 92 - Sept. 6, 2017: Curriculum Is Key in Louisiana Sep 06, 2017

Show notes

Robert Pondiscio joins EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the curriculum-driven reform efforts led by the Louisiana Department of Education. Robert is the author of a new article, "Louisiana Threads the Needle on Ed Reform: Launching a coherent curriculum in a local-control state," available at: http://educationnext.org/louisiana-threads-the-needle-ed-reform-launching-coherent-curriculum-local-control/

Ep. 91 - Aug. 30, 2017: Should Laptops Be Allowed in College Classrooms? Aug 30, 2017

Show notes

Susan Payne Carter, assistant professor of economics at the United States Military Academy, joins EdNext editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss her new study which found that students whose professors banned laptops and tablets from class outperformed students whose professors allowed the devices. Read the full study here: http://educationnext.org/should-professors-ban-laptops-classroom-computer-use-affects-student-learning-study/

Ep. 90 - Aug. 23, 2017: Which Parents Want a Four-Year College for their Children? Aug 23, 2017

Show notes

In the 2017 EdNext poll on school reform, parents were asked whether they would rather send their child to a two-year college, a four-year college, or neither. When respondents are given information about the costs and benefits of the different options, this changes the decisions of some respondents, but not others. EdNext editor-in-chief Marty West sits down with senior editor Paul E. Peterson to discuss how different groups respond. Read the findings of the 2017 EdNext Poll here: http://educationnext.org/2017-ednext-poll-school-reform-public-opinion-school-choice-common-core-higher-ed/

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