Reality Check with Jeanne Allen

Latest Episodes:

#SummertimewithCER: A Conversation with Steve Forbes (Originally published 12/19/18) Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Well-known publisher and writer Steve Forbes joins Jeanne Allen for today's episode of Reality Check to discuss prosperity, revitalizing education, and his hopes for the future. Tune in to learn about his new documentary “In Money We Trust?” too!

#SummertimewithCER: A Conversation with Kevin P. Chavous (originally published 10/15/18) Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

Kevin Chavous has run the gamut when it comes to advocating for expanded innovation in learning and furthering opportunities for families and children, having been an integral part of the success in initially bringing charter schools to Washington, D.C. and as D.C. councilman helping strengthen school choice and public education in the District. Apart from his public service, Chavous, president of academics, policy, and schools for K-12 Inc., works in the worlds of both business and law, and has authored four books including his latest, The Plan. Kevin sits down to discuss personalizing learning for every child, how to work within — and without –politics to accomplish policy changes, the horizons for virtual and digital learning, and new innovations in business technology connecting students to data to parents and back to teachers to achieve a more dynamic, connected class. Don’t miss this and more on this edition of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen.

#SummertimewithCER: A Conversation with Ulrik Juul Christensen (originally published 12/26/17) Aug 12, 2019

Show notes

Every teacher knows that children all learn differently, and yet our schools are designed to teach them all the same way. In this week’s Reality Check with Jeanne Allen, one of the world’s leading experts in Adaptive Learning explains how it’s changing training in the workplace, and how it can help schools too. Ulrik Juul Christensen, medical doctor and entrepreneur, explores the way computer science is meeting cognitive neuroscience at the cutting edge of educational theory.

#SummertimewithCER: A Conversation with Eva Moskowitz (originally posted 5/7/18) Aug 05, 2019

Show notes

Eva Moskowitz is known as the CEO of Success Academy Network. With 50 campuses throughout New York City and more in development, she’s regarded as a charter school crusader, innovator and the architect of a revolution but it’s been a long contentious road. “I never felt before I got into education that I was living a Godfather movie,” says Eva – only half joking. Success Academy has been sued more than twenty times by unions. Union battles and political roadblocks have been a part of the landscape since she started her very first school with 150 kindergarteners and first-graders in 2006. But her passion is boundless and her commitment to educating not only her more than 100,000 students but parents and the general public through her book The Education of Eva Moskowitz. “We need everyone to be informed because the stakes are so high.”

#SummertimewithCER: A Conversation with Howard Fuller (originally posted 12/12/17) Jul 29, 2019

Show notes

On the inaugural episode of Reality Check in 2017, Jeanne talked with Howard Fuller, a professor of education at Marquette University in Milwaukee, and a former Superintendent of the Milwaukee Public Schools who’s a pioneer in school choice. He is the author of the 2014 book, No Struggle, No Progress: a Warrior's Life from Black Power to Education Reform. Among other things, they discuss the “re-segregation” of American schools, and whether that really matters or not; the true intent of Brown v. Board of Education; the power of giving educational choices to low income families.

Fix Unequal Educational Opportunity, with Sen. Mary Landrieu Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

This week’s guest is a rare commodity in American politics. As US Senator from Louisiana, Democrat Mary Landrieu (@SenLandrieu) often bucked conventional wisdom of her party to put children’s needs ahead of adults. She is a supporter of the DC Opportunity Scholarship program and a leading proponent in Congress of charter schools, which she sees as a “powerful tool to fix the generations-long challenge of unequal educational opportunity.” (WSJ, April 23, 2019) She pulls no punches in talking about the candidates, the president and the state of public affairs. Our last edition for the summer, this Episode 69 of Reality Check is really hot!

A New Model for Rural America with Ben Chavis and James McDougald Jul 08, 2019

Show notes

America’s heartland is where much of the goodness of America’s heart can be found, and today on Episode 68 of Reality Check, Jeanne chats with two amazing leaders who help keep the heart of educational excellence beating there. Ben Chavis and James McDougald both grew up in Robeson County, North Carolina – the very definition of rural – some might say real – America and both have returned. Chavis, who hails from the Lumbee Indian tribe, is an educator, school founder and was leader of one of the most successful charter schools in America – Oakland California’s American Indian Charter school. McDougald was a football hero at Wake Forest University, a star in the NFL and is City Commissioner for Maxton. They pull no punches in describing the roadblocks, frustrations but ultimate successes of advancing quality education in “flyover country”.

Who Will Watch the Watchers?: Dr. Christine Ivie, Supt./Principal of Heritage Academy Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

Several Idaho charter schools were attacked and vilified by members of the Idaho Charter School Commission at a meeting the members thought was “closed”. Fortunately someone recorded the session, at which members disparaged the schools, students, management and indeed all residents of Jerome, Idaho. In this Episode 67 Special Release of Reality Check, Jeanne interviews Dr. Christine Ivie, Superintendent and Principal of Heritage Academy Charter School (https://heritageacademyid.org) in Jerome, Idaho. Dr. Ivie’s school and several other Idaho charter schools were attacked and vilified by members of the Idaho Charter School Commission at a meeting the members thought was “closed”. Heritage Academy’s student body has a large majority of students of color, more economically disadvantaged students and more English learners than other Idaho charters. It has succeeded in raising scores for its students. Idaho’s Charter Commission needs members who actually believe in and support charter schools. The chairman and other members of the commission who expressed such disdain for the charter community need to resign. Tune in to hear the sad details of the attack on these charters and the plan to fight back.

An Anomaly in Public Ed: Innovation-minded NC State Superintendent Mark Johnson Jun 24, 2019

Show notes

Longstanding institutions, including healthcare and education, have remained unchanged despite a climate of lightning-fast innovation in technology. According to this week’s guest, “every student should have the opportunity to go to school, work hard, and reach their American Dream,” no matter what the path or provider, a challenge with the current education bureaucracy. Thankfully Mark Johnson is challenging the status quo. Tune in to Episode 66 of Reality Check to learn how a new generation of elected official is leading the fight for transformation of public ed. @MarkRJohnsonNC

Conquering a Failing Traditional Education System, Eugene Slocum of Alpha Academy Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

The old saying that “mighty oaks from little acorns grow” is a spot on description of the Alpha Academy Charter School and STEM Institute (https://www.alphaacademy.education/). From 90 students in 2000 to more than 900 today, Alpha and its CEO and Superintendent Eugene Slocum are revolutionizing education and breaking the mold for education in underserved communities like Fayetteville, North Carolina. @Alpha_Academy_ on Twitter Tune in to Episode 65 of Reality Check and be inspired!

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