An Educated Guest S3E14 | Education Freedom: Shaka Mitchell on School Choice, Opportunity, and the American Dream
In this deeply personal and timely episode of An Educated Guest, host Todd Zipper sits down with Shaka Mitchell, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children. Shaka shares his compelling journey from the classroom and the courtroom into the heart of the school choice movement. He explains why his advocacy is driven by his core belief that education is the "surest way to access Whatever your version of the American dream is," and why the current system fails to deliver that promise for too many children.
The conversation delves into the necessity of educational choice as a policy matter, focusing on how parents are demanding better options for their children. Shaka offers a powerful, community-based perspective on why resources should follow the student and how choice can serve as the critical mechanism to access the right education. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the moral and strategic imperative driving the school choice revolution today.
Key Takeaways from this Episode:
- The School Choice Imperative: Shaka's belief that a child's background should not determine the quality of their education.
- Policy and Practice: How Shaka’s legal and educational experience informs his work in shaping state-level policy.
- The Role of Parents: A discussion on the rising power of parents and their demand for better educational options.
- Finding the Right Fit: Why a one-size-fits-all model doesn't work, and how choice creates the opportunity for a better educational experience for every single child.
About Our Guest:
Shaka Mitchell is a Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children. A former educator and lawyer, Shaka has dedicated his career to driving educational reform and expanding opportunities for children in underserved communities.