CEO of edX Anant Agarwal joins Episode 43 of Reality Check to speak about the state of innovation in higher education, new developments in his business and others, learning and structural models on the way, and discusses his success with edX. He also speaks about his experience as a teacher and what we can expect for the future of online higher ed in America and globally.
A lawmaker, advocate, businessman, and even celebrity (he did a cameo on the Emmy’s in 2016), Governor Jeb Bush has done it all! But what makes him most compelling is his command of the most important issue of our day -- education. Jeb -- as he’s often known -- is also Honorary Chair of the CER Summit on October 26th in Miami, Fla. (For more info, visit www.edreform.com.) In this Episode 42 of Reality Check with Jeanne, Governor Bush discusses what it takes to make all lives better -- and why in...
The new Miss America, Nia Franklin, 25, proclaimed during the recent competition that,“As Miss America I will continue my work to make sure students across this nation have access to a quality education.” She is a role model, and her achievement and success are an example for all, particularly women, of what educational opportunity combined with hard work can do. Nia’s strength of vision and purpose has helped her achieve her goals, and chasing her dream she has overcome incredible obstacles and...
“… That’s what get’s me excited -- if you bring people together, you can actually build on something and solve a problem.” Tommy Thompson has spent decades of his career bring people of all stripes together to solve problems, from his time as governor of Wisconsin from 1987 to 2001, to his service as Secretary of Health and Human Services under George W. Bush, to his role as a strategic advisor to entrepreneurs and lawmakers alike and as a voice in his community and for many across the country. ...
Dan Forest’s role as Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina includes much more than the traditional responsibilities of his office -- this week on Episode 38 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen, Forest talks about making education a priority, using funds effectively and working in and out of the business, education and technology sectors to create a more fluid economy in his state, from encouraging advances in innovation to working in the statehouse to help policy work for every community. Dan For...
As founder of Charter Schools USA, Jon Hage drove education management innovation -- and is one of 8 outstanding honorees to be awarded for their work at CER’s 25th Silver Anniversary Summit on October 25-26 this year. But his extensive experience as a businessman and executive, philanthropist and trusted advisor to U.S. administrations on education make his story that much more compelling and this week’s Episode 37 of Reality Check episode a must-listen. From his service in the U.S. Army to his...
Andy Rosen, chairman and CEO of Kaplan Inc. sits down with Jeanne to cover everything in postsecondary education, from new innovations happening at Kaplan’s Purdue Global to how Higher Ed is speaking -- or in some cases, not speaking -- with the K-12 community. How is the pipeline to the workforce and career development is being invested in and streamlined for an online generation? This and more on this week’s Episode 36 of Reality Check.
Dr. Gisèle Huff is both interesting and engaging. While education transformation has been her main focus, she is also deeply interested in redirecting how the world of philanthropy works. Gisele’s background is extensive – she currently serves as Executive Director of the Jaquelin Hume Foundation and is the founder of the Learning Accelerator. She began in business, earned a Ph.D. in political science, with a concentration in political philosophy at Columbia University and taught at Golden Gate ...
Creating innovative opportunities to build a different type of education system is one of the things that Chris Whittle does best. He is reimagining education, creating what is being called “the first global school.” As Chairman and CEO of the Whittle Schools and Studios, Whittle is leading this global network of independent pre-K to 12 schools that are challenging traditional schooling methods and creating a better, more connected world. Coming in the fall of 2019 are the first two campuses of ...
Nothing lowers the spirit of Brian Jones, not even the ALS he was diagnosed with last year. He calls himself blessed, and the thousands of colleagues and friends he’s accumulated over the years are at testament to that. Former general counsel at the Education Department under President George Bush, and president of Strayer Education, Brian’s own experience growing up taught him the value of empowering people to find the education that best suits their needs, whatever the time or place might be. ...
Being a classroom teacher in Alabama showed Mike McShane, of EdChoice, just how much children around the country were being denied the opportunity of a quality education. He didn’t like it. So, he did something about it. More in this Episode 31 of Reality Check.
Having a vision of what education could look like and offer is what led J.C. Huizenga to open National Heritage Academies. It’s also what drives Brian Britton every day as the President and CEO to oversee 87 charter schools around the country. Episode 30 of Reality Check
Imagine, if you will, a time when educational choice was something only very few people were bold enough to speak about. It wasn’t that long ago. Lawmaker, state superintendent for public schools, national advocate, and now Chief Executive at the Arizona Chamber Foundation, Lisa Graham Keegan talks about the last 25 years in education reform on Episode 29 of Reality Check.
Steve Klinsky, head of New Mountain Capital, conceived of the “Freshman Year for Free” which is the focus of the Modern States Education Alliance. Students can earn a year of college – or more -- without tuition or textbook expense. This podcast is a must listen for anyone concerned about the cost of higher ed. Episode 28 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen
Phoenix Charter Academy Network’s three schools that are focused on challenging resilient, disconnected students with rigorous academics and supports so they take ownership of their futures. CEO, Beth Anderson, talks about why this model is critical to their futures and success as self-sufficient adults. Episode 27 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen
Janus v. AFSCME is the case that is disrupting the work of organized unions everywhere. Jacob Huebert is an attorney who represented Mark Janus, the plaintiff in the case, before the US Supreme Court. Jacob talks about the impact of the then-not announced decision on teachers and unionized workers. Episode 26 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen
The age-old question from parents is “How do I ensure my children grow into stable, successful adults?” Erica Komisar, a clinical social worker and parent guidance expert offers tips on this topic in her new book Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters and more in this Episode 25 of Reality Check.
The need for a seamless intersection between higher education and workforce development has led Carol D’Amico, Executive Vice President of Strada Education Network to lead a major national effort to drive change in these sectors. Her focus? “Completion with a Purpose.” Learn how on this Episode 24 of Reality Check.
Fueled by his interested in “the barriers to change,” Bill Walton has built a lifetime of experiences and diverse avenues of success. He’s an entrepreneur, producer, supporter of the arts, and investor in ways to foster a free market in education. Join Jeanne & Bill this Episode 23 of Reality Check.
Big changes are likely on the way for teachers, teachers’ unions and potentially for no less than the entire model of US education. “We really need to rethink the framing of the profession,” says Jeanne Allen. The impending Supreme Court ruling on the AFSCME v. Janus case and the growing demand for professional autonomy among teachers nationwide are just a few of the topics in this episode with guest Colin Sharkey. As Executive Vice President of the Association of American Educators (AAE), Colin...
20,000 North Carolina teachers took to the streets of Raleigh for what was billed as a march and rally against low wages and underfunded schools. It was neither. “My heart goes out to the teachers that did turn out for the rally. The problem is, the rally organizers have an anti-charter school agenda,” said North Carolina Association of Public Charter Schools’ Executive Dir. Rhonda Dillingham. North Carolina is the latest in a wave of coordinated efforts to engage charter school teachers to aban...
Darla Romfo is the president and COO of the Children’s Scholarship Fund. CSF provides partial scholarships for low-income children in grades K-8 to go to private school. CSF has provided scholarships to more than 166,000 children and currently serves almost 26,500 children nationwide. Ms. Romfo has served as CSF’s president and COO since the organization offered its first scholarships in 1999. Prior to joining CSF, her positions on Capitol Hill included legislative director and counsel to Sen. J...
If there’s one person who’s been-there-done-that in the world of education, it’s teacher, author, scholar, advisor and sought-after speaker, Sarah Tantillo. She taught English and the humanities in both traditional public and charter schools in New Jersey for 14 years. She chaired the Humanities Department at the highly-regarded North Star Academy School in Newark, and her students achieved an extraordinary 100 percent passing rate on the High School Proficiency Assessment for Language Arts and ...
Laura Sandefur is the co-founder of Acton Academy. She and her husband Jeff began with one school in Austin, Texas in 2009 initially motivated to give their children a different kind of education than they could find anywhere. They began as they say, “with a blank piece of paper” to build their dream school. Today, Acton Academy is a growing network of more than 80 innovative schools all over the world. Incorporating blended learning, the Socratic discussions, multi-aged learning environments, h...
“We’re criminalizing common sense and rationality and we’re elevating hysteria to not only the common good but also what you must be to be an ok parent.” How do we overcome this? Jeanne Allen’s guest Lenore Skenazy has made overcoming this hysteria her life’s work. And for it, she’s been labeled “America’s worst mom”! But in this Episode 16 of Reality Check, we’ll hear frank conversation about how an innocent solo train ride by her 9-year old son spawned a movement to allow kids to be more resil...
Matt Greenfield is Managing Partner of ReThink Education, a venture capital firm focused on educational technology. He is on the boards of BrightBytes, Allovue, CareAcademy and Southern New Hampshire University. His non-profit affiliations include the leadership council of NewSchools Venture Fund and the board of Mouse.org. But Matt mostly thinks of his role as a problem solver. “As an investor, I start with solving a problem.” He wrote the business plan for the step-by-step modules for behavior...
In 1983, President Reagan urged students to understand the new world in which they lived: “Your generation is coming of age in one of the most challenging and exciting times in our history. High technology is revolutionizing our industries, renewing our economy and promising new hope and opportunity in the years ahead . . ." “Make sure you get the training and skills you need to take advantage of [these] new opportunities… Get a good education. That’s the key to success. It will open your mind a...
Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow and vice president for external affairs at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and a senior advisor to Democracy Prep Public Schools in Harlem, New York. He writes and speaks extensively on education and education reform issues with an emphasis on literacy, curriculum, teaching, and urban education. He came to the field of education as a second career and never intended to stay. He has become one of its most passionate spokespersons for reform and innovation. “I h...
John Schilling is the President and CEO of the American Federation for Children, which was chaired by Betsy DeVos until she became Secretary of Education last year. John is a veteran of more than two decades in the field of education reform. “Choice works,” he says. “When you put parents in the driver’s seat, you find that giving parents the power to find the best educational environment for their child means that you’re going to give options to a lot of kids who don’t have them right now and re...
If there’s one thing that America’s public schools could use, it’s the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. This week’s guest on Episode 11 of Reality Check with Jeanne Allen is Carl Schramm, former president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation, who found himself spending many years studying what really makes a business succeed. The title of his new book, Burn the Business Plan, rips apart one of the most cherished assumptions in the world of business schools. As a professor at Syracuse, he...
