Class Disrupted

Diane talks through the considerations and challenges in reopening schools – and what that term even means – to help all stakeholders think through the central purpose of schooling and how we might measure success in this strange school year. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-2-e-5-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S2E5%20final.mp3

Michael and Diane tackle the thorny – and often emotional – question of sports and schools in this latest episode, as well as how to think about a change GreatSchools made recently to its school rating formula to try and decouple a school’s rating from the income level and racial makeup of its students. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-2-e-4-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S2E4%20Final.mp3

With students and parents going to extraordinary lengths to take the SAT–and one school superintendent making a football field available so students could take the test–Diane and Michael tackle the question of how much the SAT really matters and how should parents and educators in colleges and districts frame the choice of taking the test right now. They also dive into the suggestion that President Trump made recently that there should be a 1776 Commission to create a more “patriotic education.” https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-2-e-3-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S2E3%20final.mp3

As Michael launches a learning pod for his own daughters, Diane and Michael tackle whether the trend of pandemic pods might actually disrupt America’s schools. And the two consider whether lessons from charter schools that successfully supported students in the spring can help inform what remote schooling should look like for all students. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-2-e-2-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S2E2%20final.mp3

Diane and Michael return with a second season of Class Disrupted. As the pandemic stretches on and the impact on education remains significant and uneven, Class Disrupted pivots to taking on the latest headlines in education and tackling them through the prism of transforming education and the major themes introduced in Season 1 of the podcast. https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-2-e-1-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S2E1%20final.mp3

In this final episode of Class Disrupted, Diane and Michael look once more at the problems in education, but through the urgently important lens of equity—and advocate for what must be done today Credits: Hosted by Diane Tavenner, Michael Horn; Written by Jenna Free; Produced by Steve Chaggaris; Publicity/Graphics by Nathan James https://archive.org/download/ep-10-final/Ep%2010%20-%20Final.mp3

Summer has long been dreaded by parents who worry about gaps in childcare and the logistics and expense of summer camps. Diane and Michael explore the advantages of a year round calendar—for parents, kids, and for teachers. Credits: Hosted by Diane Tavenner, Michael Horn; Written by Jenna Free; Produced by Steve Chaggaris; Publicity/Graphics by Nathan James https://archive.org/download/ep-9-final/Ep%209%20-%20Final.mp3

As we look toward returning to school of some sort in the fall, Diane and Michael discuss four ways to approach a new normal, using a student-centered approach. Credits: Hosted by Diane Tavenner, Michael Horn; Written by Jenna Free; Produced by Steve Chaggaris; Publicity/Graphics by Nathan James https://archive.org/download/ep-8-final/Ep%208%20-%20Final.mp3

When schools began distance learning, the grading system went into upheaval. Diane and Michael discuss what grades are really meant to do, and a college freshman talks about the way straight As for all made her redefine learning. Credits: Hosted by Diane Tavenner, Michael Horn; Written by Jenna Free; Produced by Steve Chaggaris; Publicity/Graphics by Nathan James https://archive.org/download/episode-7-final/Episode%207%20Final.mp3

Distance learning has shown parents how chaotic learning so often is for kids, with different norms (and passwords!) for each class. Diane and Michael discuss how this reality grew out of a factory model of schooling, and talk to End of Average author Todd Rose about a way to approach school that honors individuality for the betterment of all. Credits: Hosted by Diane Tavenner, Michael Horn; Written by Jenna Free; Produced by Steve Chaggaris; Publicity/Graphics by Nathan James https://archive.org/download/ep-6-final/Ep%206%20Final.mp3