EdSurge Podcast

It’s still popular to prize students who have “grit,” who overcome tough odds to succeed. A book by Alissa Quart called “Bootstrapped: Liberating Ourselves from the American Dream,” looks at why this narrative is so hard to shake — and proposes more community-minded alternatives that could improve equity. This episode first ran in 2022, as the final installment of our Bootstraps series on who gets the best opportunities in American education. For more on the series, see: https://www.edsurge.com/research/guides/bootstraps-a-podcast-series

The Rhodes Scholarship was designed to forge a network of people who would go on to rule the world. So who gets this opportunity? And how is the oldest and best-known graduate scholarship dealing with the legacy of its founder, who used ruthless and racist practices to build the diamond empire that funded the effort? This originally ran in 2022, as part of our Bootstraps series on who gets what educational opportunities in America. Find show notes here:https://www.edsurge.com/news/2022-03-02-power-prestige-and-the-world-s-most-famous-scholarship

The SAT can feel very different to different students. While it can give any college applicant stress, some low-income and minority students see it as evidence that selective colleges don't want them. Can the rise of test-optional policies lead to a new, more equitable era of college admissions? | Guest reporter: Eric Hoover, of The Chronicle of Higher Education | This originally ran in late 2021 as part of our Bootstraps podcast series.

Explore the intense pressures of academic perfectionism and how it affects first-generation college students. Discover the emotional toll of maintaining high GPAs for scholarships amidst rising tuition costs. Delve into the flawed GPA system and its historical roots, advocating for personalized education. Reflect on the confusing grading differences between community colleges and elite universities. Finally, consider a shift from traditional metrics to mastery-based assessments, aiming for true understanding over mere numbers.

Delve into the history of 'gifted and talented' programs in schools, from Lewis Terman's legacy to the debate on equity. Explore the evolution of views on gifted children, from anti-social to valuable resources. Unpack the complexities of identifying and supporting gifted individuals, addressing disparities and the struggle for equal opportunities.

Debate on admissions process at a top high school, calls for inclusivity and equity in education. Controversy over merit-based vs. race-based admissions. Proposals for innovative approaches like merit lotteries. Discussion on American values, history, equity, and opportunities in public schools.

What the odd and surprising history of 'pulling yourself up by your bootstraps' says about educational equity. This is the first episode in our Bootstraps podcast series on merit, myths and education. This first ran in 2021.

Exploring the impact of smartphones and social media in schools, the podcast discusses strategies for managing distractions, promoting sustained focus, and combating social media addiction. It delves into the importance of student input in decision-making, engaging students in literature classes, and advocating for collective action to create phone-free school environments.

As more students question the value of college, more high schools are bringing college options into their walls. In the latest installment of our Doubting College series, we visit a high school where students can earn a two-year degree without leaving the building, and where students can also get a jump on other career options that don’t require higher education.

Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, discusses the use of AI chatbots as tutors in education. He explores the potential benefits and challenges of incorporating AI tutoring tools, emphasizing the importance of balancing technological innovation with human interaction in personalized learning experiences. The podcast also analyzes efficacy studies in edtech companies and the role of chatbot tutors in student engagement and learning, highlighting the need for inclusive educational practices and effective integration of AI tools in teaching.