1A Looking Ahead To The 2025 School Year
Jul 31, 2025
Lance Barish, a high school math teacher in Dallas, discusses how political changes impact classroom dynamics, while Jennifer Lopez, a social studies teacher from Los Angeles, shares insights on the challenges of student absences linked to immigration enforcement. Laura Meckler, a national education writer, sheds light on the significant funding cuts and their effects on vulnerable student populations. Together, they explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education and the urgent need for better support and compensation for teachers.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Federal Cuts Fuel School Uncertainty
- The Trump administration's dismantling of the Department of Education creates uncertainty and fear among teachers and parents.
- Federal budget freezes for grants and services disrupt critical supports, especially for vulnerable students.
Civil Rights Enforcement Weakens
- Federal cuts reduce enforcement on civil rights in education amid increasing controversial policy focus.
- Office for Civil Rights staff and regional offices have drastically shrunk, increasing backlogs.
Engineer Turned STEAM Educator
- Rachel transitioned from engineering to teaching STEAM classes, excited by integrating real-world problems.
- She challenges schools to innovate continuously to bring positive change.