No Wrong Answers
The conversations teachers are having in schools today could determine what our world looks like in the future. We give those teachers a voice through weekly conversations about the important issues of the day. Listen and get a teacherly take on the world. Hosted by public radio news anchor Kyle Palmer and a dedicated team of teachers.
S4 E41 · Mon, June 24, 2019
The "2019 Teacher of The Year" Lesson
We speak with the 2019 Teacher of the Year, Rodney Robinson. He doesn’t have a typical teaching assignment. The 19-year veteran of Richmond Public Schools works at a school inside the Richmond Juvenile Justice Center.
S4 E40 · Thu, June 13, 2019
The "Mindsets" Lesson
Teacher mindset is a buzzword in education right now. But what does it really mean to have the right or wrong mindset in class?
S4 E39 · Thu, June 06, 2019
The "Like" Lesson
A teenager gets put on blast on social media for peppering her speech with the word “like”. Why our teachers think using verbal fillers is and isn’t a big deal.
S4 E38 · Fri, May 31, 2019
The "Adversity Scores" Lesson
Can the adversity that students face be boiled down to a number? The makers of the SAT are going to try. Our teachers say that's both a good and bad idea.
S4 E37 · Thu, May 23, 2019
The "Teaching Abroad" Lesson
Teaching abroad can have its perks…but are they enough to pull teachers away from America?
S4 E36 · Thu, May 16, 2019
The "Segregated Schools" Lesson
After San Francisco’s plan to tackle school segregation actually made it worse, our teachers discuss how our conversation around this issue needs to change.
S4 E35 · Thu, May 09, 2019
Extra Credit: The "Student Journalists" Lesson
A high school newspaper’s story about a student sex worker causes a national stir. Now the district is threatening to fire the newspaper’s teacher adviser. We get that teacher’s side of the story.
S4 E34 · Thu, May 02, 2019
The "Anxiety In Class" Lesson
Schools statistically are safer than they’ve been in years…so why doesn’t it feel like it?
S4 E33 · Thu, April 18, 2019
The "Fortnite" Lesson
Some say Fortnite, the video game, should be banned. Our teachers say that’s a bad idea. Instead, schools should be learning how to take advantage of kid’s gaming passion.
S4 E32 · Thu, April 11, 2019
The "Teacher Shortages" Lesson
Teacher shortages have been around for decades, but new research shows it’s getting worse. What impact does that have on kids and classrooms?
S4 E31 · Fri, April 05, 2019
The "Seeing The Signs" Lesson
WARNING: This episode contains conversations about teen suicide. The number for the National Suicide Helpline is 1-800-273-8255. The specter of teen suicide is again in the news. Do you feel comfortable broaching that topic with your students? Our teachers have advice.
S4 E30 · Thu, March 28, 2019
The "Achievement Gap" Lesson
The achievement gap between rich and poor students has hardly budged in 50 years. Our teachers say maybe we need to redefine what “gap” even means. Plus, bathroom access is always a hot topic at schools, but are we hurting student’s health by restricting when they can go?
S4 E29 · Thu, March 21, 2019
The "College Admissions" Lesson
A college admissions cheating scandal has shocked America. Our teachers say…you think that’s bad…how about all the legal ways the admissions process is unequal. Plus, “grit”…our teachers say there’s a lot wrong with how it’s being used in the classroom.
S4 E28 · Fri, March 15, 2019
The "Dr. Seuss" Lesson
Dr. Seuss is one of the most beloved children authors of all time, but his place in the literary canon is being challenged. The reason has to do with history and race. Plus, Chicago public schools has a big problem with gangs…but our teachers say what they did to fix the situation only made it worse.
S4 E27 · Wed, February 20, 2019
The "Incentive Pay" Lesson
The Denver teacher strike was focused mostly on complaints about incentive pay. Our teachers break down that idea. Plus, standardized testing…what is it good for?
S4 E26 · Wed, February 13, 2019
The "Mass Incarceration" Lesson
THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE YOU HAVE OR HAVE HAD A STUDENT WITH A LOVED ONE IN PRISON. BUT WE RARELY TALK ABOUT HOW TO HELP KIDS DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF MASS INCARCERATION. WE FIX THAT ON THIS WEEK’S EPISODE.
S4 E25 · Thu, February 07, 2019
The "Gentrification" Lesson
Many city schools struggle with the g-word. Gentrification. But there are actual steps schools can take to get involved. Plus, norms about manhood are changing but our teachers seeing a difference in their male students? Three female teachers give us their take.
S4 E24 · Fri, February 01, 2019
The "Class Size" Lesson
Class size was a big sticking point in the recent LA teachers strike. But how do you know when a class really is too big? And the Covington Catholic mess, some say it’s a teachable moment. If so, who’s getting taught and what are they learning?
S4 E23 · Wed, January 23, 2019
The "Learning To Read" Lesson
If reading is fundamental, why do so many American kids struggle with it? Emily Hanford from American Public Media explains. Plus, we know about the achievement gap, but what about the homework gap.
S4 E22 · Tue, January 15, 2019
The "Teach-In" Lesson
The national teacher of the year calls the detention of migrant children at the border “abuse” and an “atrocity”. But she says teachers can do something about it. Plus, as American cities are becoming less segregated…are schools following suit?
S4 E21 · Tue, January 08, 2019
The "Happy Schools" Lesson
A Kansas teenager is set to graduate from his high school, and Harvard University this spring…at the same time. We have a whole lot of questions. Plus, is your school a happy place? Does it need to be in order to be successful? Our teacher’s answers might surprise you.
S4 E20 · Tue, December 18, 2018
The "Charter School Tensions" Lesson
Discipline. Our teachers say their schools are starting to get it right. Now, Betsy DeVos is getting involved. Plus, the old tensions between charter schools and district schools is back in the headlines after a charter school strike in Chicago. And, how what month your child is born in affects whether they’re diagnosed with ADHD.
S3 E19 · Tue, December 11, 2018
The "Civics" Lesson
Can civics class save American democracy? Our teachers say the perennial debate has a new look after Trump’s election. Plus, schools are inequitable but, it turns out, so are PTAs. How this inequality changes the dynamic in schools. Finally, the epidemic of absenteeism.
S3 E18 · Wed, December 05, 2018
The "Pensions" Lesson
Retirement. If you’re a young teacher you might not be thinking about it much, but our veteran teachers say you should start right now. Plus, tis the season for snow days. Students and teachers love them, right? Why snow days can be so disruptive. And, homework in kindergarten…is that too young?
S3 E17 · Thu, November 29, 2018
The "Renewal" Lesson
There is a growing schism among education reformers. One side says schools should be held account for their performance…even to the point of closing them down. The other believes we should give them more resources and funding to see what happens. This conflict has come to a dramatic point in New York City with an initiative called Renewal. New York Times reporter Eliza Shapiro talks with us about what this all means for education reform efforts across the country.
S3 E16 · Tue, November 20, 2018
The "Artificial Intelligence" Lesson
Now that there are artificial intelligence news anchors…are A.I. teachers on the horizon? Plus, a group nazi salute in a prom photo is the latest subject of internet outrage. But what should educator’s reactions be when their students do dumb offensive things?
S3 E15 · Tue, November 13, 2018
The "Inclusivity" Lesson
The teaching profession notoriously has trouble recruiting and retaining teachers of color. We discuss why that is and what can be done about it. Plus, a new digital divide…it’s not about having too little technology, but having too much.
S3 E14 · Tue, November 06, 2018
The "White Fragility" Lesson
It’s one of the most difficult topics to discuss in schools: white fragility. And yet, it has major seen and unseen effects on faculty and students. This week, we talk with Robin DiAngelo—the woman who coined the term “white fragility”—about what educators can do to address it in school.
S3 E13 · Tue, October 30, 2018
The "We Will Not Be Erased" Lesson
The Trump administration wants to redefine gender. Young trans people and their teachers are ready to fight back. Plus, should teachers stay neutral about controversial topics in class? Is that even possible? One Chicago teacher thought her district’s directive about the Laquan Mcdonald killing wasn’t right. And, teacher effectiveness…it’s not longer just about the test scores. What’s the best way to evaluate a teacher’s work?
S3 E12 · Tue, October 23, 2018
The "Midterms" Lesson
Holding back students a grade level is seen by many as a way to uphold rigorous academic standards…but it can also backfire. Plus, we thought after this spring’s rallies that teens were going to be a voting force in the year’s midterms…does that still hold true?
S3 E11 · Tue, October 16, 2018
The "Play Time" Lesson
America is argumentative right now…are schools partly to blame? Plus, everyone knows play is beneficial for students, but kids are doing it less and less. Also, acne…it’s still a big deal for teenagers, but maybe not for the reasons you think.
S3 E10 · Tue, October 02, 2018
The "50 Percent" Lesson
On this episode: what’s the difference between a 0 and a 50 percent…our teacher’s say it could mean everything. Plus, when does your school start…whatever time it is, experts say it’s likely too early.
S3 E9 · Tue, September 25, 2018
The "Brett Kavanaugh Accusations" Lesson
The sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh feel very familiar to our teachers. They say too many of their kids have similar stories to tell. Plus, should school end their football programs? Those topics and “Kids These Days” on this episode!
S3 E8 · Wed, September 19, 2018
The "Teachers Who Look Like You" Lesson
America’s students are getting more diverse…but our teaching force is going in the opposite direction. Plus, you know that phrase those who can’t do, teach…well a new piece turns that idea on it’s head. And, as always “Kids These Days”.
S3 E7 · Wed, September 12, 2018
The "Monitoring Students" Lesson
Should schools monitor student’s social media to help prevent school shootings and suicides, or is that an invasion of privacy? Also, we like to think schools are making progress when it comes to being inclusive. But the tragic story of a nine year old who came out as gay reminds us we may not have come as far as we want. Those stories plus “Kids These Days”.
S3 E6 · Wed, August 29, 2018
The "ACT/SAT" Episode
As more states require students to take the ACT/SAT, we ask...is that actually a good idea? Plus, kids are not reading for fun as much as they once did, but we're not ready to give up on books just yet. All that and "Kids These Days".
S3 E5 · Wed, August 22, 2018
The "LeBron James" Lesson
A new study shows that the fight against hate in American schools could be most intense in the suburbs...but are suburban teachers ready for it? Plus, LeBron James opens a public school in his home town. Our teachers say the important word there is "public".
S3 E4 · Tue, August 07, 2018
Extra Credit: A Student Debate Goes Viral
A classroom debate over the confederate flag goes viral, and we sit down with the teacher and student at the center of the conversation.
S3 E3 · Tue, July 24, 2018
The "Gifted And Talented" Lesson
Gifted and talented education...is it ultimately good? Some advocates are going so far as to say such programs should be eliminated entirely.
S3 E2 · Tue, July 17, 2018
The "Migrant Education" Lesson
Are the migrant children separated from their families at the U.S. border receiving any sort of education, and if so...is it adequate? We speak with a New York Times reporter to get some answers.
S3 E1 · Tue, July 10, 2018
The "Affirmative Action" Lesson
American kids don’t have a constitutional right to a good education. A recent court case in Michigan underscored that fact. It’s a problem says our teachers, but maybe not for the reasons you think. Plus, the Trump Administration is rolling back Obama era guidance in affirmative action in college admissions. That has us asking…who is college for anyway.
S2 E34 · Tue, July 03, 2018
The "Janus" Lesson
We're still in the middle of a brief summer break, but we taped a special episode in response to the US Supreme Court's recent decision which promises to have a major impact on teachers unions. How will the "Janus" case affect our teachers, school and unions. We talk with the experts on this episode.
S2 E33 · Tue, June 19, 2018
The "Teaching While Black" Lesson
There's #DrivingWhileBlack, #SittingAtStarbucksWhileBlack, #BBQingWhileBlack...but what about #TeachingWhileBlack?
S2 E32 · Tue, June 12, 2018
The "Vaping" Lesson
As Puerto Rico continues to struggle in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, we check in with a school on the island about the challenges that lay ahead for next school year. Plus, Betsy DeVos says a school safety commission formed after the Parkland school shooting won't be talking about guns. Finally, are your students vaping? We talk about how to deal with this new phenomenon in schools.
S2 E31 · Tue, June 05, 2018
The "Teacher Of The Year" Lesson
The 2018 national teacher of the year gave President Trump a stack of letter from her refugee and immigrant students...then the online hate started. Plus, a clash over free speech in schools. Our teachers say a student who wears a pro border wall t-shirt shouldn't have to take it off, but other students should be allowed to debate and criticize it. Also, the surprising trend of students bullying themselves online.
S2 E30 · Tue, May 29, 2018
The "Teen Suicide" Lesson
"Thirteen Reasons Why" is back and with it comes fears and handwringing about students dealing with suicidal thoughts. Plus, some people are calling for a nation wide boycott of schools to force legislative change on gun control. Finally, a landmark legal decision regarding which bathrooms trans students can use has our teachers asking if we can finally be done with this debate.
S2 E29 · Wed, May 23, 2018
The "Teacher Anger" Lesson
From state funding cuts to school shootings, teachers have a lot of reasons to be angry. But how can they use that anger constructively in schools? Plus, a new book argues Googles' search algorithms are racist, and that should give teachers pause about how they use it in their classes.
S2 E28 · Wed, May 16, 2018
The "School Choice" Lesson
Is school choice working in your district? That's the question we asked at a live community forum in Kansas City, MO last week. What we learned reveals a lot about the issue of school choice across the country.
S2 E26 · Tue, May 08, 2018
The "Learning Styles" Lesson
Recent research claims that learning styles are actually totally fake...our teachers say not so fast. Plus, students in America are politically fired up, but does that mean they'll vote in the fall? One school already has a statistically proven impact on student voting rates and we talk with them. All that and "Kids These Days" on this week's episode!
S2 E26 · Tue, May 01, 2018
The "Lynching Memorial" Lesson
How should schools be teaching America's history with lynching in classrooms? The opening of a new lynching memorial has our teachers reckoning with how to bring this topic to students.
S2 E25 · Tue, April 24, 2018
The "This Is Our Home" Lesson
When more than 4,200 teachers responded to The New York Times’ recent callout for images showing their working conditions, it gave readers an insight into the often-frustrating experiences of educators. Plus, one of our teachers pens a powerful op-ed about our current school shooting debate.
S2 E24 · Tue, April 17, 2018
"The Nation's Report Card" Lesson
Teacher protests continue across the country...will teachers be a political force in the 2018 elections? Plus, everyone is worried about Facebook, but our teachers say kids aren't using it anyway. And the latest scores for the National Assessment For Educational Progress are out, cue the hand-wringing and eye-rolling.
S2 E23 · Tue, April 10, 2018
The "Discipline Discrimination" Lesson
We discuss a new report from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office that shows students of color, boys and students with disabilities are disproportionately disciplined in American K-12 public schools.
S2 E22 · Tue, March 27, 2018
The "Keeping Our Schools Safe" Lesson
Students, teachers and parents are asking what their schools can do to keep kids safe following last month’s school shooting in Florida. So we hosted a public forum to discuss what people in our area are thinking and feeling in the midst of this unique moment.
S2 E21 · Tue, March 20, 2018
The "Walk Out" Lesson
The national student walk out has us asking: is it really a protest if you have to get a permission slip to do it? Our teachers say their students are demanding more agency and planning more political activism. No Wrong Answer will be taking a two week break as our teachers head off to a much deserved Spring Break themselves.
S2 E20 · Tue, March 13, 2018
The "Cloud Of Uncertainty" Lesson
A teacher gets outed as a closet white supremacist. What does it say about schools that she was able to get a teaching job in the first place? Plus, the DACA program has not ended but students receiving the special protective status are still anxious about their futures. We talk with three DACA recipients about what life is like under a cloud of uncertainty. And, what did our teachers learn from the success of the West Virginia teacher's strike?
S2 E19 · Tue, March 06, 2018
The "Teacher Strike" Lesson
A teacher strike in West Virginia captures the education world's attention. We talk with a leader on the front picket lines of Charleston. Plus—sexting—more kids are doing it, and our teachers say they feel unprepared to talk about it. And, we start a new segment, Teacher To Teacher, where educators talk with the teachers who had an impact on them as students.
S2 E18 · Thu, March 01, 2018
Extra Credit: Story Time
Teachers are great storytellers. We aim to elevate teacher voice by giving them the mic, literally, and we got a special chance to do that at a recent event sponsored by one of our funders, The Kaufman Foundation. We recorded two teachers telling real stories about using their voice to help students find their own.
S2 E17 · Tue, February 27, 2018
The "Black Panther" Lesson
On this episode: we talk with black high school students about their feelings on “Black Panther”. They think it’s as important as everyone is saying. Plus, as talk of arming teachers picks up steam, our educators and a special student guest say…are you kidding? And, have charter schools hit a wall? Our charter school teachers say maybe they have.
S2 E16 · Wed, February 21, 2018
The "School Shooting Generation" Lesson
Students are angry and frustrated in the wake of another school shooting, and our teachers say they hope things might change this time. Plus, a scandal over inflated graduation rates in Washington DC has teachers asking: could it be happening in my district? Then, a special Black Panther edition of Kids These Days.
S2 E15 · Tue, February 13, 2018
The "Sanitized History" Lesson
Most kids in America still can't name slavery as the primary cause of the Civil War. Our teachers say the problems with the way we teach slavery go even deeper than that. It's time to get uncomfortable. Plus, school councilors have caseloads approaching 500 students. One councilor says there's not enough time in the day.
S2 E14 · Tue, February 06, 2018
The "Citizenship Test" Lesson
In this #MeToo moment, what are we saying to boys to help them understand things like sexual harassment and consent? Also, we get the behind the scenes scope of an infamous “blacklist” of former employees an Arizona school district secretly kept for decades. And, should students be forced to pass the US citizenship test?
S2 E13 · Tue, January 30, 2018
The "Affordable Housing" Lesson
Indianapolis is offering cheap housing in order to entice teachers to stay. Hear why our teachers think that's not such a good idea. Also, The Betsy Breakdown is back: our Secretary of Education has been laying low, but we have a lot to talk about in this new year. Those topics plus, how are our teachers staying healthy during this flu season? Those answers and more on this edition of the podcast.
S2 E12 · Thu, January 25, 2018
Extra Credit: What NPR's Education Reporter Is Expecting In 2018
2017 was by all accounts a crazy year in the news, and by the way 2018 has started it doesn't seem like we're in for much of a break. Earlier this month, NPR Education Reporter Claudio Sanchez made four education predictions for this year, you can find his full article here . We talked to Sanchez about what he's expecting for education in 2018.
S2 E11 · Tue, January 23, 2018
The "Puerto Rico" Lesson
We talk with staff members and students from a school in Puerto Rico that recently went viral after a video of their power coming back on spread across the internet. We talk with them about what the last few months have been like literally learning in the dark. Plus, a new report shows American schools are still profoundly unequal. Our teachers discuss the infuriating reasons why.
S2 E10 · Thu, January 18, 2018
The "S—hole" Lesson
The President says another offensive thing, but our teachers say this time is incredibly different. Plus, a lot of states are dealing with the same education issues such as teacher shortages and school funding. We get a preview of 2018 from an education reporter who covers statehouses across the country. Then, turns out stress actually changes your student's brains. Our teachers discuss what you can do about that.
S2 E9 · Tue, January 09, 2018
The "Union Thug" Lesson
What do children of color think about America a year into Donald Trump's Presidency? Their responses paint a bleak picture for our country's future. Plus, outrage over a youtube star's video showing the body of a suicide victim has us thinking: what exactly are kids watching online? And, a conservative political action group goes after a teacher's union in Michigan. The union representative on our show says, bring it on.
S2 E8 · Tue, January 02, 2018
The Final Grades For 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, we look back on the moments in education that get As and the moments that get Fs. Also, what we're worried about and excited for going into 2018.
S2 E7 · Tue, December 19, 2017
The "Net Neutrality" Lesson
A new poll reveals the political beliefs of teachers. The real question is, how should whether a teacher is Democrat or Republican affect their work in class? Also, we've marked a sad anniversary: five years since the Sandy Hook school shooting. We ask our teachers what the legacy of that tragedy is still today. Finally, are teachers as worried as the rest of the internet about Net Neutrality?
S2 E6 · Wed, December 13, 2017
The "CHIP Funding" Lesson
Washington D.C. is crazy right now, but we draw your attention to an emerging problem that could affect your kids: federal CHIP funding. Plus, the Senate passes its version of a massive tax overhaul, and they not only keep the teacher classroom supplies deduction but double it. Our teachers say, nice try. Also, a new study from Stanford gives us a school evaluation tool that our teaches say is better than test scores.
S2 E5 · Tue, December 05, 2017
The "Power Dynamics" Lesson
Sexual harassment allegations have rocked America from Washington D.C. to Hollywood. But has the conversation trickled down into schools? Are schools going through their own #MeToo reckoning? Plus, a high school's inflated graduation rate shocks many, but not our teachers. They say that kind of fakery happens all the time.
S2 E4 · Tue, November 14, 2017
The "Republican Tax Plan" Lesson
The GOP tax plan has one provision that could have a big impact on teachers. We discuss what it would mean to lose the yearly deduction for materials. Plus, what are the pay structures to determine teacher salaries? Our team says schools should ditch the traditional salary schedule. Then, an educational game asks students to role-play a slave girl trying to escape to freedom. Our teachers say—what the hell?
S2 E3 · Wed, November 08, 2017
The "F Word" Lesson
Students these days are skeptical of authority, so why are they so bad at being skeptical of what they read online? Plus, our teachers say in-school suspensions are generally ineffective, so why do we keep giving them? And, is saying the F word acceptable in class? You may be surprised what our teachers think.
S2 E2 · Fri, November 03, 2017
Extra Credit: Teaching English In The Age Of Alternative Facts
On this Extra Credit, we bring you an episode recorded live in Wichita at the Kansas Association of Teachers of English. We discuss how english educators specifically are adapting to teaching under the Trump administration. Have they changed what books they read and what writing assignments they give to students? Listen and subscribe!
S2 E1 · Tue, October 31, 2017
The "#MeToo" Lesson
As #MeToo is still prominent in the news, we ask our teachers how the ongoing conversation about sexual harassment and assault is affecting how they interact with their students. Also, what do you do when a white student says something racist in class? Our teacher's answers aren't as simple as you might think. Plus, another edition of the Betsy Breakdown.
S1 E50 · Tue, October 24, 2017
The "To Kill A Mockingbird" Lesson
A Mississippi school district's decision to take To Kill A Mockingbird out of its curriculum sparked an internet uproar after it went viral. Our teachers have opinions about how this historic book should be taught in classrooms. Plus, we discuss another internet outrage after a New Jersey teacher told students to "speak American". Finally, we end with a slightly unnerving conversation about the increase in time students spend with screens.
S1 E49 · Tue, October 17, 2017
#32: The "Too Many Tests" Lesson
One state chooses to cut it's United States history tests. Bad idea, right? Our teachers say it actually might be a good idea. Plus, should schools be held accountable for when their students miss school? And, as always we end with "kids these days".
S1 E48 · Tue, October 10, 2017
The "Talking About Tragedy" Lesson
This is a heavy episode. First, we discuss how to talk to students in the wake of tragedy following the Las Vegas massacre. Then, we take on white supremacy in schools. Sure, giving kids an assignment in which they pretend to be a KKK member is bad, but our teachers say that's not the worst part.
S1 E47 · Tue, October 03, 2017
The "Take-A-Knee" Lesson
It was inevitable that our country's national anthem protest controversy would come to the schoolhouse. How should teachers react when students refuse to stand for the anthem or the pledge of allegiance?
S1 E46 · Tue, September 26, 2017
The "Per-Pupil Spending" Lesson
Students at a high school hold a sit-in demanding action against other students who wrote transphobic things in a group chat. How should teachers respond to both students? Plus, a look at per-pupil spending in the United States compared to other countries. What can we learn from international education spending?
S1 E45 · Tue, September 19, 2017
The "Virtual Reality" Lesson
Virtual reality isn't just for gamers anymore. Some people think it could be the next big innovation in teacher training, but our teachers have questions. Plus, in the latest Betsy Breakdown, our teachers get heated over the idea of whether a school should host the Secretary.
S1 E44 · Fri, September 15, 2017
Extra Credit: Teaching After A Hurricane
When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, many people had more existential problems than sending their kids to school. But in the immediate aftermath, some educators volunteered to continue teaching classes at shelters around Huston. This is a story from one of those teachers.
S1 E43 · Tue, September 12, 2017
The "DACA" Lesson
Trump's DACA decision is a big one for students and schools. You may have questions, we have some answers. Plus, we talk about Chance The Rapper's new award show for teachers, and another edition of the Betsy Breakdown.
S1 E42 · Wed, August 30, 2017
The "How Far Is Too Far" Lesson
A video of high school cheerleaders being forced to do the splits goes viral. Our teachers ask, how do you know when you're truly pushing kids and when you're going to far? Plus, research shows that kids with a few close friends may do better later in life than popular kids. And another round of Ask A Teacher.
S1 E41 · Tue, August 22, 2017
The "Grade Inflation" Lesson
Some are saying Charlottesville was a turning point. Do our teachers feel the same way? Plus, new research suggests grade inflation is the newest form of the achievement gap. And, a new segment: Ask A Teacher.
S1 E40 · Tue, August 15, 2017
The "Charlottesville" Lesson
On this episode: our teachers discuss strategies for addressing Charlottesville with teachers and students in school. Plus, how much say should parents have over the classroom, and it's back...the Betsy Breakdown.
S1 E39 · Tue, July 25, 2017
The "Dress Code Discrimination" Lesson
Many schools include hair in their dress codes, and that's gotten some black students in trouble. Our teachers discuss whether dress codes can be racist. And confidence in police is up overall in America, but dropping among young people. What's it like to teach about law enforcement in this age of police shootings and protests?
S1 E38 · Wed, July 19, 2017
The "Close Family" Lesson
The Trump Administration has its definition of close family, but how do our teachers define who their student's close family are. And new research says that smart phones are distracting even when we're not using them...should schools ban them altogether?
S1 E37 · Tue, July 11, 2017
The "Stay Woke" Lesson
Some say computer coding is as crucial to kids education these days as math and reading...our teachers are skeptical. And, in this current social justice moment, should educators be teaching their students to be woke...one teacher says "hell yes".
S1 E36 · Fri, June 16, 2017
Extra Credit: The Best City For Teachers
What makes a city a good place to live for teachers? Data analytics firm GoodCall has its answers, and the best city to live as a teacher might surprise you.
S1 E35 · Wed, June 14, 2017
The "Good Teacher/Bad Teacher" Lesson
Researchers recently studied some 600 anonymous Reddit posts in an attempt to form a picture of what the public views as a “good” and “bad” teacher. The findings come with some major caveats: nearly three quarters of regular Reddit users are males, under 35. So the take the following conclusions through that lens. An analysis of users’ posts showed they preferred teachers of so-called qualitative subjects (like humanities) over empirical subjects (like math), male teachers over female teachers, and high school teachers over elementary school teachers.
S1 E34 · Wed, June 07, 2017
The "Secession" Lesson
Secession is back and not just in American History class. Our teachers this week tackle the story of mostly white Alabama city seeking to secede from a largely black county-run school district. Our teachers have a problem with the district’s stated reasons for seceding and a problem with what they say it means for public education writ large.
S1 E33 · Thu, June 01, 2017
Extra Credit: Vocational Education In The Trump Era
Few education writers (with the possible exception of Jonathan Kozol) are more widely respected and more widely read than Mike Rose. In a career that’s spanned more than 35 years, Rose has produced eleven books on education and learning, ranging in topic from effective literacy strategies to the cognitive complexity of blue-collar work. His most well-known book may be the semi-autobiographical Lives On the Boundary. It’s now generally considered a classic of the field, often read in education schools and teacher-prep programs. The book details different ways to reach so-called “problem” students, while at the same time mining the deep vein of Rose’s own personal experiences growing up in a working class household that often felt shut out of the educational establishment. Mike Rose was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Italian immigrants and grew up in Los Angeles. He’s said one of the most impactful things to happen to him growing up was being moved out of his high school’s vocational track into its college prep track. In the college prep track, he had a teacher who advised him on applying to college. Rose, who now teaches at UCLA, has tended to focus his writing on class divisions he experienced as a student and that still often plague our education system. He’s written passionately about vocational education--what’s now termed Career and Technical Education--and how it can and should be integrated into a more well-rounded education that also includes STEM learning and instruction in subjects like classic literature. He says votech subjects like auto mechanics and shop class are often looked at with snobbery and elitism and are undervalued by the education system as a whole. Rose has been revisiting these themes on his blog in the wake of the election of Donald Trump as president. He’s not a fan of the president. He makes no bones about his disappointment in Trump’s election, swept to the White House with the support of millions of white, working class voters like people he says he grew up around. We wanted to speak to Rose about how his career’s focus--his lifelong passion for looking at issues of class in education--now may seem more relevant than ever.
S1 E32 · Wed, May 31, 2017
The "What My Students Taught Me" Lesson
Summer is here for our teachers! Well, almost here. (Sorry Greg.) And they are in a reflective mood. First up: what does the alleged assault of a journalist by a politician in Montana say about our societal norms? Does it change, at all, how teachers feel about counseling kids to not use violence to solve their problems? Plus, we tackle teen pregnancy. The story of one girl who was barred from walking at her school’s graduation went viral. What do schools do well (and not so well) about dealing with the challenge of teen pregnancy? Finally, our teachers look back on the students--that for better and worse--made an impact on them this year.
S1 E31 · Tue, May 23, 2017
The "Googlefication" Lesson
This week, we can’t not talk about the crazy week that was in Washington. (Here’s a recap. Believe us: you need it.) Our teachers say they used to read the news to decompress from school. No longer. Then, we tackle President Donald Trump’s proposed federal education budget, which would completely eliminate funding for a variety of programs, from gifted and talented education to civics education. Finally, has your school gone “full Google?” Our teachers’ schools have all gone one-to-one or are in the process of going one-to-one with Google Chromebooks. Is this a good thing?
S1 E30 · Thu, May 18, 2017
Extra Credit: How A Maker Space Can Change A School
Maker education is part of the broader, loosely organized ‘Maker Movement’ of tinkerers, DIYers, computer programmers, and hackers who put a lot of stock in the act of creation itself and the experimentation and failure that often goes into that. There’s a lot of buzzwords to sift through when talking about “Maker education.” But what does this look like in schools?
S1 E29 · Tue, May 16, 2017
The "Absentee" Lesson
Betsy DeVos is back in the news and this time it was really ugly. Plus, new data tell us just how much students miss school. Finally, bullying is down but for a lot of teachers it doesn't feel like it...why this disconnect?
S1 E28 · Tue, May 09, 2017
The "13 Reasons Why Not" Lesson
Everyone's talking about the new Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why...is that a good or bad thing? Plus new research qualifies just how much black teachers mean to black students.
S1 E27 · Sun, May 07, 2017
Extra Credit: Poetry In The Classroom
We just completed National Poetry Month in April and we recently asked some of our teachers…for a little bit of show-and-tell to celebrate that. We wanted them to pick examples of a poem, or an excerpt of a poem they have found personally or professionally inspirational as teachers. Or maybe a poem that has been used to particularly good effect in their classroom, that resonated with students.
S1 E26 · Tue, May 02, 2017
The "White Privilege" Lesson
Everyone is talking about Trump's first 100 days, but what's the view from the classroom? And, white privilege...how does it manifest in schools and what our teachers think we can do about it.
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