Class Disrupted

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

So much time is left on the cutting room floor at school—time that could be spent teaching the habits of success kids will need to be prepared adults. Diane and Michael talk with Grit author Angela Duckworth about what these habits are and how they translate to success, and to Veronica Vitale of Acorn Montessori, who puts these ideas into practice every single day. 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-5-final_202006/Episode%205%20Final.mp3

As parents nationwide have been thrust in the role of distance-learning support staff, they’re questioning the real purpose of school. Should it just be about “playing the game” to get to college? Diane and Michael talk to a parent who asked this question and went rogue on her daughter’s distance learning plan; and to Adam Carter, who breaks down project-based learning and makes clear there’s another, better way forward than just “doing school.” 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-4-final/Episode%204%20-%20Final.mp3