The Learning Curve

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng interview New Hampshire Governor Christopher Sununu. Gov. Sununu discusses his upbringing in a well-known political family and how the influence of his father, a former governor and White House chief of staff, and his brother, a former U.S. senator, has shaped his public service. He reflects on attending a competitive STEM-centric magnet high school and MIT, where studying engineering shaped his approach to policy, particularly K-12 reform. Gov. Sununu also highlights how his wife, a special education teacher, has deepened his knowledge of school choice, early literacy, and expanding opportunities for students with disabilities. He describes his efforts to support school choice within New Hampshire’s strong K-12 public education system; and the importance of empowering communities, parents, and state leaders to drive education reforms and create more equitable school options for students.Stories of the Week: Alisha discussed an article from Commonwealth Beacon on how Massachusetts voted to end the MCAS graduation requirement, Albert shared a story from Forbes on understanding the results from three school choice referenda.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng interview Dr. Helen Baxendale, the chief of staff and vice president of strategy at Great Hearts Academies. Dr. Baxendale discusses how her global educational experiences inform her perspective on K-12 policy and Great Hearts’ mission to integrate the humanities, math, and science for intellectual and character development. She explains how Great Hearts uses classical texts by Plato, Aristotle, and African-American thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois and MLK to teach justice and democracy amid today’s social divisions. Dr. Baxendale also shares the school’s approach to teacher preparation, navigating regulations, and competing in choice-rich, historically lower-performing NAEP states. She concludes with insights into the importance of the classical liberal arts for preparing students for both higher education and the workforce, and her vision for improving U.S. K-12 outcomes.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and Dr. Jocelyn Chadwick interview Jeffrey Meyers, acclaimed literary biographer, about his comprehensive exploration of Edgar Allan Poe’s life and work. Meyers delves into Poe’s troubled early years, his struggles with abandonment and poverty, and how these shaped his dark, Gothic style. The discussion covers the themes and influences behind Poe’s first poetry collection, Tamerlane and Other Poems, as well as his caustic literary criticism, which earned him the moniker “the man with the tomahawk.” Meyers explains Poe’s development of detective fiction through the character C. Auguste Dupin in The Murders in the Rue Morgue, as well as the lasting significance of The Tell-Tale Heart in Gothic horror. He also explores Poe’s most famous poem, The Raven, its crafting, and mythic resonance, along with The Cask of Amontillado, a revenge-driven tale that mirrors Poe’s personal struggles. Meyers discusses Poe’s essay The Philosophy of Composition and his belief in the “death of a beautiful woman” as a poetic ideal, analyzing Poe’s relationships and what young writers can learn from his methods. Meyers also reflects on what teachers and students can appreciate about Poe’s haunting genius and impact on literature. In closing, Meyers reads a passage from his book, Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and Dr. Jocelyn Chadwick interview Catherine Clinton, Denman Professor of American History at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and author of Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom. Prof. Clinton discusses her definitive biography of Harriet Tubman, the renowned abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor. She reflects on Tubman's early life as Araminta Ross, born into slavery in antebellum Maryland, and the formative experiences that shaped her resistance to oppression. Clinton covers a traumatic head injury Tubman suffered, her deep religious faith, and the spiritual visions that guided her. She also explores Tubman's marriage to John Tubman, her escape to freedom in 1849, and her leadership in rescuing enslaved people. Prof. Clinton also delves into the dangers Tubman faced under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, her work with prominent abolitionists like John Brown, Frederick Douglass, and William Seward, and her service as a Union spy and military leader during the Civil War. Additionally, Clinton reflects on Tubman's later life in upstate New York, her advocacy for women's suffrage, and her enduring legacy in American history. In closing, Prof. Clinton reads a passage form her biography, Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and Andrea Silbert interview Israeli historian, journalist, and author of A State at Any Cost: The Life of David Ben-Gurion, Tom Segev. Dr. Segev delves into the life and legacy of David Ben-Gurion, Israel's founding father. He shares insights into Ben-Gurion’s early years in Poland, his involvement in Zionist politics, and immigration to Palestine in 1906, which set the stage for his leadership during pivotal moments in history. Segev covers Ben-Gurion's rise to prominence, his role in forming the Zionist Labor Federation, and the strategies he employed during the 1936-39 Arab revolt. Additionally, Segev examines Ben-Gurion's historic leadership in declaring Israel's independence in 1948, the unification of Jewish militias into the Israeli Defense Forces, and the implications of the Arab-Israeli War. He also highlights Ben-Gurion’s efforts to establish state institutions, absorb Jewish immigrants, and his vision for the nation, while acknowledging the complicated aspects of his political leadership. Dr. Segev positions Ben-Gurion among the most significant leaders of the twentieth century, with a legacy that continues to influence Israeli society and its international relations today.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and Mike Goldstein interview Katie Everett, the Executive Director of the Lynch Foundation. Ms. Everett shares her journey into K-12 education reform and discusses the influential vision of Carolyn and Peter Lynch, and their foundation's role in shaping education policy in Massachusetts and beyond. She highlights the Lynch family's contributions to the Commonwealth’s educational, cultural, and civic landscape. Everett delves into the operational challenges facing Catholic schools, such as labor costs and enrollment issues, while also emphasizing the work of the School Choice and School Financial Sustainability Committee, which developed a finance model to assist tuition-based schools. She elaborates on how the model has been received and its potential to expand access to early childhood education, breaking cycles of illiteracy and poverty. Additionally, she explores how her school finance model could align with state policies, like ESAs, to bolster Catholic and private schools. Everett closes by calling for more robust involvement from governors, legislators, and parents in improving academic outcomes for American students.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng and Meredith Coolidge of DFER - MA interview James Conway, a World History and Psychology teacher at Revere High School, and Ela Gardiner, a freshman at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and Wellesley High School alumna. Conway discusses the 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Act (MERA) and its role in establishing a progressive state funding formula, high-stakes testing like MCAS, and rigorous curriculum standards. He highlights the national and international successes of Massachusetts students, particularly through NAEP, TIMSS, and PISA assessments, and emphasizes MCAS as a key tool for improving educational equity. Mr. Conway also reflects on the importance of MCAS for instruction and accountability, and the negative implications of eliminating it as a high-stakes test. Ms. Gardiner discusses her personal experiences with the Massachusetts curriculum standards and MCAS testing. She shares how the rigorous academic expectations helped prepare her for college and how her experience compares to peers from other states and countries. Gardiner also addresses the critics’ questionable concerns about MCAS, explaining how her high school’s curriculum aligned with the standards and MCAS effectively prepared her for both state and national tests. Finally, she speaks on the potential academic consequences for future students if MCAS is removed as a graduation requirement, stressing its importance in maintaining high academic standards in the Bay State.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Charlie Chieppo and Ret. MN Justice Barry Anderson interview Edward Achorn, a noted writer, historian, and author of Every Drop of Blood: The Momentous Second Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and The Lincoln Miracle: Inside the Republican Convention That Changed History. Achorn shares insights into Lincoln's improbable political rise and the critical events leading to his 1860 Republican presidential nomination, including his strategic maneuvering following his defeat in the 1858 Illinois Senate race. He discusses the significance of the 1860 Republican Convention in Chicago, where Lincoln bested more prominent candidates like William Seward. Mr. Achorn also examines the broader political landscape of the time and the importance of Lincoln's second inaugural address, delivered amidst the Civil War's devastation, and its profound impact on American political discourse. Additionally, Achorn highlights Lincoln's intellectual influences and how his mastery of language shaped pivotal moments in American history. He brings to life the key figures surrounding Lincoln during his second inauguration, painting a vivid picture of Washington at this crucial juncture in the nation's past. In closing, Achorn reads a passage from his book Every Drop of Blood.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and U-Arkansas Prof. Albert Cheng interview Lance Izumi, Koret Senior Fellow and Senior Director of Education Studies at the Pacific Research Institute. Mr. Izumi delves into his latest book, The Great Classroom Collapse: Teachers, Students, and Parents Expose the Collapse of Learning in America's Schools. He discusses why, despite decades of education reforms and vast spending, many American students remain underprepared in critical subjects like reading and math. He explores how the focus on social justice and political agendas has shifted attention away from academic quality and meritocracy in K-12 education, leading to troubling outcomes in many districts. Mr. Izumi highlights widespread issues in reading instruction, including the long-standing evidence for phonics and why NAEP reading scores have stagnated over the years. He shares concern of "constructivist" math methods and reflects on the impact of Common Core on declining math scores nationwide. Izumi concludes with reform recommendations aimed at restoring academic rigor and equality of opportunity in American schools.

This week on The Learning Curve, co-hosts Alisha Searcy of DFER and AFC’s Walter Blanks interview Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children and Founder of Black Minds Matter, Denisha Allen. Denisha shares her journey and the motivations behind founding Black Minds Matter, a national movement dedicated to celebrating Black excellence and promoting high-quality educational options for Black students. She delves into the politics of urban school reform, highlighting the challenges posed by race and class-based achievement gaps and the political influence of teachers' unions. Mrs. Allen also reflects on the evolving landscape of charter school politics and how the pandemic has reshaped education by increasing interest in diverse school choice options like charters, homeschooling, and microschools. She discusses the implications of the "Year of School Choice" in 2021, marked by expanded voucher and ESA programs, and questions why, despite large federal education expenditures, national reading and math scores have been stagnant or declining. Finally, Denisha shares her vision for what policymakers and parents should do to dramatically improve academic outcomes for America's students.