EdChoice Chats - podcast cover

EdChoice Chats

EdChoiceedchoice.org
EdChoice Chats is the EdChoice team’s official podcast. EdChoice is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to advancing educational choice as the best pathway to successful lives and a stronger society. We believe families, not bureaucrats, are best equipped to make K-12 schooling decisions for their children. Our team works at the state level to educate diverse audiences, train advocates and engage policymakers on the benefits of high-quality school choice programs. Listen in to stay updated on the latest controversies, messaging hacks, legislation, litigation and research related to school choice in America. For podcast inquiries, please contact Chantal at media@edchoice.org.
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Episodes

Ep. 134: Choice in the States - Ohio with Chad Aldis

In this episode of our Choice in the States series, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick talks with Chad Aldis, vice president for Ohio policy and advocacy at The Fordham Institute. They discuss the growth of Ohio's 15-year-old school choice program, the Autism Scholarship Program, and the journeys of the state's four other programs. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Sep 05, 201930 min

Ep. 133: Researcher Profile - Nate Barrett

In this episode, we chat with Nate Barrett, senior director of research and evaluation at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. He discusses centralized enrollment systems, parental accountability and more. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Sep 04, 201938 min

Ep. 132: Choice in the States - Oklahoma with Brandon Dutcher

In this episode of our Choice in the States series, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick talks with Brandon Dutcher, senior vice president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. They discuss the beginnings of the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities, and how the state's tax-credit scholarship program has nearly doubled the number of participating students in the past year. To learn more, visit www.edchoice.org.

Aug 29, 201914 min

Ep. 130: Choice in the States - Mississippi with Grant Callen

In this episode of our Choice in the States series, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick chats with Grant Callen of Empower Mississippi. They discuss expanding the state's programs beyond special needs, the future of school choice and more. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Aug 22, 201926 min

Ep. 129: Researcher Profile - John Merrifield

John Merrifield, professor of economics at the University of Texas San Antonio and an EdChoice fellow, discusses 20 years of researching school choice and reform. He unpacks topics in his book, "The School Choice Wars" (2001), and previews his new book, "School System Reform: Why and How Is a Price-less Tale," coming out this fall. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Aug 20, 201951 min

Ep. 128: Cool Schools | Thrival Academy

In this episode, Thrival Academy Executive Director India Hui discusses taking students to Thailand, engaging in mindfulness training, visiting an elephant sanctuary, and more. Thrival Academy is a one-year, study-abroad high school for 11th grade students. The school is considered a an innovation network institution part of Indianapolis Public Schools. For more in this series, visit edchoice.org.

Aug 13, 201930 min

Ep. 127: Choice in the States - Arizona with Jonathan Butcher

In this episode of our Choice in the States series, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick chats with Jonathan Butcher from The Heritage Foundation. They discuss the history of Arizona's tax-credit and ESA programs, how ESAs work in the state, and more. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Aug 08, 201934 min

Ep. 126: The Monthly Debrief - July Looking to August 2019

Legislative sessions are winding down, so what is our state team doing now? In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss everything from program expansions in Ohio to winning bets. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Aug 06, 201922 min

Ep. 125: School Choice in Pop Culture – House Of Cards

In today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO Robert Enlow and VP of Communications Jennifer Wagner discuss education policy in House of Cards. They unpack the accuracy and effectiveness of policymaking. Learn more about school choice at www.edchoice.org.

Jul 31, 201955 min

Ep. 124: Cool Schools | Garden Christian Academy

In this episode, Danielle and Stephen Piscura discuss what makes Garden Christian Academy different from others in the Cleveland area. The school, which will open this fall, follows a model similar to Hope Academy, previously featured in our series. For more in this series, visit edchoice.org.

Jul 23, 201926 min

Ep. 123: Legal Updates with Leslie - TN, FL, MD and MT

In today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner chats with Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner about several litigation issues across the country, including an update on the Montana tax-credit scholarship case. Learn more at www.edchoice.org.

Jul 16, 201930 min

Ep. 122: The Monthly Debrief - June Looking to July 2019

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from the repeal of the Nevada Education Savings Account program to program expansions in Ohio. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Jul 11, 201927 min

Ep. 121: Choice in the States - Florida with Doug Tuthill

In this episode of our Choice in the States series, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick chats with Doug Tuthill from Step Up for Students in Florida. They discuss Florida's John McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program, pending lawsuits and more. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Jul 09, 201942 min

Ep. 119: 2019 Surveying The Military

In this episode of EdChoice Chats, authors of our newest report, 2019 Surveying the Military, discuss their findings. This report, which expands on the first military survey we conducted in 2017, provides a better understanding of the experiences and views of military families in America toward K–12 education. For more information or to download the report, visit www.edchoice.org.

Jun 25, 201933 min

Ep. 118: Choice in the States - Tennessee with Justin Owen

In the first episode of our Choice in the States series, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick chats with Justin Owen from the Beacon Center of Tennessee. They discuss fostering school choice programs and creating more robust eligibility pools for ESAs in the state. Plus, Jason provides an update on a bill passed in Tennessee last month. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Jun 18, 201917 min

Ep. 118: The Monthly Debrief - May Looking to June 2019

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from a pilot ESA program in Tennessee to an appropriations bill in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Jun 11, 201926 min

Ep. 117 - EdChoice's 2018 Annual Review

In this episode of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO discusses how—in an era where people say school choice is 'not going to go forward'—the demand for our training programs and research has increased. He talks about how the idea of 'universal' school choice continues to increase, roadblocks in the movement, and more. For even more details on school choice strides in 2018, visit edchoice.org/2018-annual-review/.

Jun 04, 201914 min

Ep. 116: Researcher Profile - Albert Cheng

In this episode, Albert Cheng, assistant professor at the University of Arkansas, talks pure mathematics, gaming, the hybrid schooling model, and more. Much of his work focuses on 'character and virtue formation.' He discusses how we develop our 'moral ecology' and understanding how students use technology in the classroom to figure out guiding values. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

May 29, 201927 min

Ep. 115: Cool Schools | Lafayette Preparatory Academy

In this episode of Cool Schools, Sarah Ranney, head of school at Lafayette Preparatory Academy, discusses the institution's unique founding. She touches on expanding and creating a high school program, unpacks parent-centric practices, and more. To learn more, visit www.edchoice.org.

May 21, 201919 min

Ep. 114: The Monthly Debrief - April Looking to May 2019

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartie, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from raising the cap on available tax credits Indiana to a bill passed in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

May 14, 201922 min

Ep. 113: Discussing School Climate, Parent Involvement and More Findings from Recent Survey

In this episode of EdChoice Chats, EdChoice Vice President of Research and Innovation talks with the two authors of our recently released report, "Families’ Experiences on the New Frontier of Educational Choice." Drew Catt, our director of state research and special projects, and Albert Cheng, assistant professor at the University of Arkansas, discuss the most interesting responses from Arizona parents. Read the full report: https://www.edchoice.org/research/families-experiences-on-the-new-front...

May 09, 201930 min

Ep. 112: Cool Schools | Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School

In this episode of Cool Schools, Kevin Festerling, founder of Kingdom Prep Lutheran High School, talks leading a faith-based institution made up of predominately non-Lutheran students, students fixing motorcycles and more. This all-boys Lutheran school was founded in the fall of 2018. For more in this series, visit edchoice.org.

Apr 30, 201927 min

Ep. 111: A Conversation with Mark Gleason of the Philadelphia School Partnership

In this episode of EdChoice Chats, EdChoice's Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner talks with Mark Gleason, executive director of the Philadelphia School Partnership. The two discuss success of the nine-year program, growing leadership and management skills in Philadelphia schools, and more. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Apr 23, 201924 min

Ep. 110: The Monthly Debrief - March Looking to April 2019

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier and Director of Policy Jason Bedrick discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from school choice legislation introduced in Nevada to expanding Oklahoma's tax-credit scholarship program. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Apr 16, 201929 min

Ep. 109: School Choice in Pop Culture – Last Man Standing

In today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our VP of External Relations Brian McGrath and CRM and Email Marketing Manager Abby Hayes take a look at Last Man Standing. They discuss school choice topics brought up in a a selection of episodes, including bilingual education, using a family member's address to attend a non-district school, and more. Watch (or just listen) below. Learn more about school choice at www.edchoice.org.

Apr 10, 201952 min

Ep. 108: Cool Schools | Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus

In this episode of the Cool Schools podcast, EdChoice Director of National Research Mike McShane talks with Sharif El-Mekki, principal of Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus. He talks about his journey for educational justice, how he effectively uses student and alumni surveys, where you can find some of his writing, and more. For more information, visit edchoice.org.

Apr 02, 201930 min

Ep. 107: Cool Schools | Hope Academy

In this episode of Cool Schools, Russ Gregg, founder of Minneapolis' Hope Academy, talks faith-based learning, the classical education model, and 'growing' and 'spreading' Hope. Almost 20 years ago, Russ started this faith-based, inner-city school after realizing he wanted his neighbors to have a better educational option. For more in this series, visit edchoice.org.

Mar 26, 201924 min

Ep. 105: The Monthly Debrief - February Looking to March 2019

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from a new, special needs ESA bill in Iowa, to 'democracy in action' in New Hampshire. For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.

Mar 26, 201924 min

Ep. 106: Talking Rural Education with Mike McShane and Andy Smarick

In today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of National Research Mike McShane talks with Andy Smarick, the civil society education and work director at the R Street Institute. The two discuss the most interesting and shocking findings in "No Longer Forgotten: The Triumphs and Struggles of Rural Education in America," a book they edited. For more about school choice programs in America, visit www.edchoice.org.

Mar 19, 201930 min
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