A watered-down neo-Marxism has killed the education reform movement. What needs to happen now?

Description:

Controversial ideologies about race and gender are making their way into K-12 classrooms. This kind of watered-down Marxism—in which everyone is designated either oppressed or oppressor—is at odds with the longstanding American principles of equality. How should school choice advocates respond to these harmful developments?

In this episode, Naomi and Ian are joined by Jay P. Greene, senior research fellow in The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Education Policy. He describes the history of the education reform movement, including the point at which he believes the leaders lost the chance at having more support among the American public. He outlines why a focus on equity and social justice has prevented a bipartisan coalition for education reform from forming. Now, he argues we should focus on a new education reform movement, one that appeals to all families who are displeased with current trends in K-12 schools.

Resources:

• Time for the school choice movement to embrace the culture war | Jay P. Greene | The Heritage Foundation

• Does school choice need bipartisan support? An empirical analysis of the legislative record | Jay P. Greene and James D. Paul | American Enterprise Institute

• How responsive are researchers to the education policy agenda? Trends in education research from 2005 to 2019 | Jay P. Greene and Frederick M. Hess | American Enterprise Institute

Show notes:

• 02:05 | Education reform is doing great but the movement is dead

• 05:05 | What was the turning point for the education reform movement?

• 17:30 | Charter schools are reliant on others to open, which has led to an education system favored by progressive elites

• 20:00 | How do we broaden the appeal of school choice?

• 24:10 | The new watered-down Marxism that is infiltrating our institutions