Economist Podcasts Not in the same class: America and schools
Jan 12, 2022
Mark Johnson, The Economist's education correspondent, discusses the profound impact of school closures on American children during the pandemic. He highlights the significant learning loss and mental health challenges faced by students, particularly in underprivileged communities. Johnson examines the contentious debates surrounding school openings and contrasts these issues with international responses. Additionally, the conversation touches on the growing market for digital real estate in the metaverse and its implications for future technologies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Chicago School Closures
- Chicago schools canceled classes due to Omicron, causing disruption.
- Charter schools like Chicago Collegiate adapted by temporarily going remote.
America's School Closure Disparity
- American children have missed significantly more in-person schooling than other developed nations.
- This disparity highlights America's unique struggle with school closures.
US School Closure Debate
- The debate surrounding school closures is more contentious in the US than elsewhere.
- Factors include media portrayal, union skepticism, and decentralized decision-making.