184 - Chanting, Humming, and Silencing–The Attack on Free Speech in NYC Schools with Maud Maron

Stella & Sasha welcome former public defender and education advocate, Maud Maron to the show for a fascinating conversation examining the intersection of education and politics. Maud reflects on the troubling shifts within schools, where merit and academic standards are being overshadowed by ideological pressures.

In this episode, Maud discusses the evolving landscape of education, where traditional academic standards are increasingly being influenced or overshadowed by ideological pressures from social and political agendas. She highlights the impact of identity politics, gender ideology, and equity measures on core educational values. Drawing from her personal experiences from pushing for enhanced math standards, to becoming embroiled in a heated debate over gender guidelines in New York City's public schools, Maud recounts the tactics used to silence her dissent. Despite her efforts to initiate a respectful dialogue on the impact of gender policies on female athletes, Maud faced significant backlash, raising broader concerns about free speech and the pressures of ideological conformity within educational and public forums.

This episode offers invaluable insights for parents, educators, political followers, free speech advocates, and those curious about how the politicization of education and ideological pressures are diluting the emphasis on academic performance, sparking concerns about the long-term impact on students' education and society at large.

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