The practice of legacy admissions—preferential consideration of the children of alumni—has emerged as a national flash point since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in June. Even some prominent Republicans are joining the Biden Administration in calling for its end. David Remnick speaks with the U.S. Education Secretary, Miguel Cardona, about the politics behind college admissions. Cardona sees legacy preference as part of a pattern that discourages many students from applying to selective schools, but notes that it is not the whole problem. How can access to higher education, he asks, be more equitable when the quality of K-12 education is so inequitable?    Plus, Jeannie Suk Gersen, a professor at Harvard Law School, looks at the problems facing admissions officers now that race cannot be a consideration in maintaining diversity. Gersen has been reporting for The New Yorker on the legal fight over affirmative action and the movement to end legacy admissions. She speaks with the dean of admissions at Wesleyan University, one of the schools that voluntarily announced an end to legacy preference after the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. “So far, the responses have been overwhelmingly positive,” Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez tells her. “But we’re obviously some time removed from the results of the decision. . . . I think it’s both symbolic and potentially substantive in terms of signalling our value to not have individually unearned benefits.”

The podcast delves into the early rollout of $1.2B in student loan forgiveness and the motivations behind prioritizing debt relief. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona discusses the SAVE plan, offering insights into who benefits and how eligible borrowers will be notified. They also explore the impact of debt cancellation on student loan borrowers and future strategies to make higher education more accessible and affordable.

Emily Compagno discusses how 'The Grinch' is a Christmas redemption story. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona misinterprets Reagan's quote. Dave Landau criticizes the push to change sports team names. Congressman Jim Jordan talks about Hunter Biden testifying.