Class Disrupted

In this episode, Diane details the discussion of the history, pluses, and minuses with meritocracy through the prism of three recent books on the topic. Michael and Diane then discuss how this intersects with our K–12 education system—and set up two episodes to come about exam schools and selective college admissions. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-13-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E13%20final.mp3

There are two dominant narratives in education right now about teachers. On the one hand, many media stories and educators say loudly that teachers are leaving in droves, which is making it hard to manage schools. On the other hand, researchers are observing that the numbers of quits don’t appear much different from how it’s been in education for a while. In this episode, Michael and Diane dig into the data and stories to try to explain the two narratives and find some common ground. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-12-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E12%20final.mp3

Michael and Diane explore what’s driving parent—and educator—frustration with schools, and how misalignment between different groups may actually create a path toward a more personalized school system where grace and gratitude return. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-11-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E11%20final.mp3

Michael asks Diane to explain what expectations are unrealistic for schools to fulfill. Diane discusses how the layering of requirements and regulations on schools have stretched them in unintended and burdensome ways that require a redesign—not a bolted-on approach. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-10-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E10%20final.mp3

John Bailey, education policy expert and writer of the nightly COVID-19 Policy Update on Substack, joins Diane and Michael to talk about the current state of COVID and schools, Omicron, vaccinations, testing, and more. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-9-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E9%20final.mp3

In this final episode of 2021, Diane and Michael share three wishes for schooling in the new year that focus on personalization, grace, and renewing ESSA. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-8-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E8%20final.mp3

Diane and Michael engage in a frank conversation about the challenges students and schools are experiencing this year. Headlines have noted an increase in physical altercations. The two discuss why this is and what solutions do or don’t exist. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-7-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E7%20final.mp3

With large numbers of teachers resigning from schools, Diane and Michael dive into what exactly is happening right now in schools, explore how it’s different from past teacher shortages, and ask bigger questions about who is a teacher and the system of preparing and developing our teachers—and suggest a hopeful path that might emerge from the current moment of struggles and shortages for schools. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-6-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E6%20final.mp3

In this episode, Diane interviews Michael about exactly where students are learning formally this year, what’s driving the change in enrollment in public schools, and what will be the longer term impact. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-5-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E5%20final.mp3

In this episode Michael interviews Diane about the difference between standards and curriculum, and why she’s in favor of a common core set of standards but not a common curriculum. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-3-e-4-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S3%20E4%20final.mp3