Josh Cowen

Josh Cowen, an expert on educational policy and author of "The Privateers," discusses the controversial role of school vouchers and their negative impact on educational outcomes. He reveals how these programs, initially linked to conservative economic strategies, have fueled a culture war over education. Cowen critiques the motivations behind the voucher movement, highlighting the connections to billionaire influence and the emphasis on ideological goals rather than student success. He also explores the implications of vouchers for public education and societal equality.

In this discussion, Josh Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, dives into the failures of school voucher programs across the U.S., even in traditionally red states. He unpacks the influence of billionaires like Betsy DeVos on educational policy and critiques their disconnect from public sentiment. Cowen highlights the economic repercussions of vouchers, including rising private school tuition, and warns of the erosion of educational equity. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for community engagement to safeguard public education.

Josh Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, dives into the controversial realm of school vouchers. The discussion traces the origins of the voucher movement back to Milton Friedman and its connections to landmark rulings like Brown v. Board of Education. Cowen critiques recent voucher programs, revealing their detrimental effects on academic results. He also examines how ideological shifts, particularly during the Trump era, utilized cultural narratives over evidence, linking vouchers to broader themes of Christian nationalism and parental rights.