16:1 - Education, Teaching, & Learning

Education Headline RoundupAfter a break in formatting for our 100th episode, we’re back and bringing you the education headlines that are grabbing our attention this week. Our stories:First, an update to our ongoing discussion of America’s literacy crisis and the science of reading, from the AP: Georgia leaders propose $11.3M to improve reading as some lawmakers seek a more aggressive approach | AP NewsThe Georgia Department of Education has proposed a $11.3 million budget to fund literacy initiatives, including literacy coaches and a screening test to identify students with dyslexia. Some lawmakers say the department is not doing enough to comply with a literacy law passed in 2023 and would like to see a more aggressive approach, as Georgia has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the country. Georgia joins Ohio, Massachusetts, New York, and more than a dozen other states that included literacy initiatives in their 2024 legislative sessions. For more of our coverage on the science of reading and the three-cueing approach, see Episode 96 (Piaget) of our show, and check out APM’s Sold a Story podcast for in-depth analysis.More book bannings in a story out of Maryland: New Carroll County school policy restricts 'sexually explicit' books - The Baltimore BannerA new policy at Carroll County Public Schools restricts “sexually explicit” library books and textbook materials. The policy was passed after months of campaigning by the conservative parent group Moms for Liberty, who challenged dozens of books they claim are inappropriate. The new policy defines “sexually explicit” content as “unambiguously describing, depicting, showing, or writing about sex or sex acts in a detailed or graphic manner.” The policy does not apply to materials used in the health curriculum.And finally, a listener brought to our attention a developing story in Ohio: Student Interactions with Peace Officers Model Curriculum | Ohio Department of Education and WorkforceSections of the Ohio Revised Code that went into effect this past October after the Ohio Department of Education was restructured require all public schools to teach students in grades 9-12 about their interactions with peace officers. The Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (formerly ODE) is developing a draft model curriculum in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Public Safety.From ODEW’s website: “The model curriculum provides instruction on proper interactions with peace officers during traffic stops and other in-person encounters. Ohio law identifies four content requirements for this model curriculum: Information on which individuals are peace officers and their duties and responsibilities; Questioning and detention laws, including any that require proof of identity and consequences for failure to comply with the laws; A person’s rights during an interaction with a peace officer; Proper interactions for interacting with peace officers.” Listen to the full episode for our discussion about this model curriculum under development (we have lots of questions). If you are a teacher who wants to get in touch with ODEW concerning this model curriculum, contact ODEW here: LearningandInstructionalStrategies@education.ohio.gov​Dolly Parton’s Imagination LibraryOur episode topic this week: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a literacy program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five (regardless of family income). From humble Appalachian roots to global superstardom, Dolly Parton's journey sparkles with rags-to-riches grit and musical magic. But beyond the glitter of rhinestones and chart-topping hits lies a deeper passion - literacy. Inspired by what Parton considers to be her father's unfulfilled dreams due to his inability to read, Dolly created the Imagination Library, gifting millions of books to children worldwide. Learn about this program and its lasting impact on literacy around the world.Sources & Resources:Country Music Hall of Fame - Dolly PartonBusiness Insider - Dolly Parton explains why Elvis never recorded… by Yasmin GaraadImagination Library - Awards and MilestonesImagination Library - Find my ProgramWikipedia - Shari LewisImagination Library - Themes and ConceptsNational EclipseGeorgia leaders propose $11.3M to improve reading as some lawmakers seek a more aggressive approach | AP NewsKemp signs bills aiming to improve school safety, literacy | AP NewsLiteracy - GaDOEGeorgia Council on Literacy | The Governor's Office of Student AchievementNew York Joins the 'Science of Reading' Movement, Offering Guidance—Not MandatesMass Literacy - Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary EducationThe 'Science of Reading' in 2024: 5 State Initiatives to Watch.Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong | APM PodcastStates rethink reading | AxiosReading Recovery Sues Ohio Over Ban on 'Cueing' in Literacy InstructionStudent Interactions with Peace Officers Model Curriculum | Ohio Department of Education and WorkforcePodcast - Dolly Parton's America 

Honest Answers: Classroom Teacher AMA (Ask Me Anything)!Pop the champagne corks and grab your apples, it's 16:1 Podcast’s 100th episode celebration! To mark this milestone, we're heading straight to the teachers' lounge for a candid Ask Me Anything with hosts Katie and Chelsea, who will be joined by real-life educators Teri, Jack, and Allyson. We’re fielding listener-submitted questions on everything from embarrassing classroom moments to life-changing books and the future of education in a digital age.Get ready to explore:Inside jokes and hidden truths: What really happens in the teachers' lounge? Are movie stereotypes about teachers true?Honest reflections on the job: Is there a work-life balance for teachers? What's the best and worst part of their day?Philosophy and passion: What do teachers hope their students take away from their classes? What challenges do they face and how do they overcome them?Glimpses into the future: Could virtual classrooms be the next big thing? How can we address the teacher shortage and redesign the education system?Bonus insights: Learning styles, classroom survival kits, ideal snacks for parent-teacher conferences, and philosophies of education.No headlines or Fill in the Blank this week as we make way for our extended AMA episode.Thanks so much for supporting the show for 100 episodes!

Education Headline RoundupHappy New Year! Here are the stories we cover in our first education headline roundup of 2024:New PISA scores reveal that students worldwide have suffered major learning setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, with math scores dropping by ¾ of a year and reading by ½ year.The FTC is suing Grand Canyon University for alleged deceptive advertising and illegal telemarketing practices.New Zealand's new Prime Minister bans phones in schools to address the country's declining literacy rates.The Library of AlexandriaIn our first episode of 2024, we journey through time and sand, unraveling tales of the legendary Library of Alexandria. Was it a beacon of wisdom, a hoarding of scrolls, or a tragic victim of flames? Join us as we navigate the mysteries of this intellectual powerhouse of the ancient world.First, we dispel a common misconception: Alexandria wasn't the first library of renown. We'll pay homage to the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, whose library in Nineveh housed clay tablets inscribed with epic poems and ancient wisdom. Though fiery war eventually consumed Nineveh, the baked tablets survived, offering a glimpse into the earliest organized knowledge collection.Enter the Macedonians, and fast forward to the death of Alexander the Great, an accomplished military strategist and Aristotle's pupil. His empire fractured, leaving three power blocs ruled by his former generals. We'll focus on Ptolemy I Soter, who established the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt and commissioned Alexandria’s great library, a cultural melting pot where Greek and Egyptian traditions intertwined, as well as its accompanying Mouseion (a place dedicated to the Muses). The library's growth wasn't organic. The Ptolemaic kings adopted an aggressive approach to book collection, sending agents to major book fairs and even commandeering scrolls from ships in the harbor. They craved older copies, believing they were likely closer to an author's original ideas.We also address the infamous burning of Alexandria. Was it a fiery inferno consuming scrolls in a single night? Evidence points to Julius Caesar’s involvement in the destruction, but did the entire library go up in smoke? Find out in this latest installment of 16:1!Sources & Resources:The British Museum - A library fit for a king by Jonathan TaylorThe Guinness World Records - First LibraryTIME - The Story of the Library of Alexandria Is Mostly a Legend, But the Lesson of Its Burning Is Still Crucial Today by Richard OvendenWikipedia - Library of AlexandriaBritannica - Battle of NinevehBritannica - Library of AlexandriaWikipedia - Alexander the GreatUniversity of Exeter - The Antigonid NetworkThe MET - The Seleucid Empire (323–64 B.C.)Wikipedia - Bibliotheca AlexandrinaWikipedia - Lighthouse of AlexandriaMarket Watch - FTC sues Grand Canyon Education, alleging ‘deceptive and abusive’ marketing practices by Bill PetersCNBC - How a 40-ounce cup turned Stanley into a $750 million a year business by Nicolas Vega and Lauren Shamo.AP - Students around the world suffered huge learning setbacks during the pandemic, study findsFederal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing Grand Canyon University (GCU) for alleged deceptive advertising and illegal telemarketing practices.The Journal - New Zealand to ban phones in schools under new prime ministerWikipedia - Emily Warren Roebling.

Sesame Street: A Legacy of Education and EntertainmentSesame Street, the iconic children's television show that has entertained and educated generations, is a cultural phenomenon and a staple in American households with young children. Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, Sesame Street aims to spark curiosity in children (and adults!) through engaging television content that utilizes the best of what network television has to offer while remaining true to its educational aims. The show's innovative approach combines live-action, animation, and puppetry to teach basic concepts like letters, numbers, and social skills. Sesame Street isn't afraid to tackle difficult and sensitive topics either; it deftly addresses issues such as death, diversity, and interpersonal conflict in a way that is both informative and age-appropriate.The show's success is undeniable, with more than 4,600 episodes produced to date and countless awards and accolades to its name. Sesame Street has also been lauded for its groundbreaking use of puppets, particularly the beloved creations of Jim Henson. Characters like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster have become cultural icons, transcending language and cultural barriers to connect with children worldwide. Sesame Street's impact goes beyond entertainment. The show has been instrumental in promoting social change, advocating for diversity and inclusion, and addressing important social issues. From its early days as one of the first network shows to feature an integrated cast to its recent episodes highlighting cultural differences and promoting understanding, Sesame Street has consistently pushed boundaries and sparked important conversations.Sesame Street, under the stewardship of the Sesame Workshop (a non-profit entity), continues to evolve and adapt to the changing media landscape. While facing competition from streaming services and other digital platforms, the show remains relevant by embracing new licensing models and distributing on new platforms. The show's commitment to educational excellence, social responsibility, and inclusivity continues to inspire generations of viewers. This was the most fun we've had researching an episode in quite a while-- for good reason! Thanks for tuning in.Sources & Resources:Britannica - Sesame StreetHow We Got to Sesame Street, by Jill Lepore (The New Yorker)The Unmistakable Black Roots of ‘Sesame Street’ by Bryan Greene (Smithsonian Magazine)Sesame Street - WikipediaStreet Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street (HBO Documentary)Joan Ganz Cooney CenterHow Many Blimps Are Left on Earth? (Mental Floss)Image credit: "Vintage Ad #762: Can You Tell Me How to Play, How to Play With Sesame Street?" by jbcurio is licensed under CC BY 2.0.  

Education Headline RoundupWe cover the following stories in our education headlines this week:The US Department of Education is penalizing the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (“Mohela”) for failing to send timely bills to 2.5 million student loan holders.Teachers in Portland, Oregon have gone on strike over increased teacher pay, smaller class sizes, and more resources.A study by the Washington Post finds that the number of families homeschooling their children has increased by 50% over the past 6 years.Nurturing Resilience: Supporting Foster Youth in the Public Education SystemOur episode this week takes a look at the complexities of the U.S. foster care system and its intersection with public education. We explore the historical roots of foster care, tracing an evolution from English Poor Law in the 1500s to the modern-day child welfare system, which was shaped by the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act and the Obama-era Every Student Succeeds Act. We examine the challenges that are unique to the foster youth population in the educational setting, including frequent school changes, a lack of legal and medical advocates, and the need for a post-emancipation plan.Sources & Resources:Episode 66 - Columbus Teachers on StrikeFounders Online - From George Washington to Benjamin Harrison, 18 January 1784 To Benjamin HarrisonOhio Department of Education & Workforce - Students in Foster CareIndependent - Judi Dench renders Graham Norton Show speechless with ‘spellbinding’ Shakespeare reading by Tom MurrayOhio Department of Education - Every Student Succeeds Act: Foster Care OverviewThe Annie E. Casey Foundation - Child Welfare and Foster Care StatisticsCivil Rights Litigation Clearinghouse - Case: L.J. v. MassingaVeneable LLP - Venable and Disability Rights Maryland File Lawsuit Against State Officials Over Long-Term Placement of Foster Children in Hospitals by Mitchell Y. YirvissCivil Rights Lawsuit Concerning Maryland Foster Students - Baltimore SunWikipedia - Library of AlexandriaNational Foster Parent Association - History of Foster Care in the United StatesFosterED - Every Student Succeeds Act Foster Care ProvisionsOhio Department of Education & Workforce - Ensuring the Educational Stability of Students in Foster CareCNBC - Education Department penalizes Missouri lender for error that made 800,000 student loan borrowers delinquent by Annie NovaThe Washington Post - Home schooling’s rise from fringe to fastest-growing form of education by Peter Jamison,  Laura Meckler,  Prayag Gordy,  Clara Ence Morse and  Chris Alcantara

Exploring Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, his influence on child psychology, and the stages of cognitive development children go through. Also, discussing controversies in education methods, legal battles, and China's patriotic education laws. Reflecting on Piaget's work, criticisms, and application in identifying developmental markers.

Education Headline RoundupThis week, we're discussing two big stories that are making waves in the education world, one of which is very close to home (here's looking at you, Ohio):Ohio's Department of Education is undergoing a major reorganization that has been met with opposition from teachers, school administrators, and parents. The reorganization has been blocked by a temporary restraining order, and it is unclear what will happen to the new Department of Education and Workforce if the Ohio Supreme Court upholds the lower court's ruling that the restructuring process was in violation of the state of Ohio's constitution.The California Mathematics Framework, a recently approved, 1,000+ page proposal to overhaul mathematics instruction in California public schools, is coming under intensifying scrutiny. Proponents of the Framework argue that its goal is to bolster educational equity by focusing on applied and authentic mathematics problems, tweaking curriculum timing and content, and endorsing a recommendation that postpones the teaching of Algebra I until high school, but the proposal has been met with intense debate. Critics have taken issue with some of the research cited by the report, and the size of the document has also made it difficult for the public to scrutinize.The Homework HustleHomework has been a part of American schooling for many years, though its popularity as an instructional aid has waxed and waned over the decades. At the turn of the 20th century, progressive reformers argued that homework was not "hands-on" enough and that it created undue stress in the lives of students. Anti-homework sentiment faded amidst Cold War tensions as American policy-makers struggled to "keep up" with the technological advances of the Soviets. In 1983, the Reagan administration's report "A Nation at Risk" warned that American students were falling behind their peers in other countries and that the quality of American education was in decline. The report called for more rigorous academic standards, and this had a significant impact on the question of homework in American public schools.Today, American teenagers spend about twice as much time on homework each day as their predecessors did in the 1990s. However, research has shown that excessive homework can be associated with high stress levels, physical health problems, and lack of balance in children's lives. Some schools have started building in "rules" around homework, such as limiting homework to an hour per night or eliminating due dates after weekends or breaks. What's the correlation between the amount of homework students do and their performance on in-class exams? Can too much homework hurt academic performance? Join us as we navigate this challenging discussion with far-reaching impact for students, parents, and teachers.In this week's What We Learned segment: Katie shares the news that Ohio's Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built along tributaries to the Ohio River, the series of eight monumental earthen enclosure complexes built between 2,000 and 1,600 years ago are the most representative surviving expressions of the Indigenous Hopewell tradition. Chelsea reviews the book The Death of Expertise, an in-depth discussion of the decline in public trust in experts and expertise.Sources & Resources:Fox 8 - Overhaul of Ohio’s K-12 education system is unconstitutional, new lawsuit says by: Associated PressOhio General AssemblyRoetzel - State Biennial Budget (HB33) Heads to Ohio Governor for Approval – Summary of Major Educational ChangesThe Atlantic - California’s Math Misadventure Is About to Go National By Brian ConradAPM Reports - Sold a StoryCalifornia Department of Education - Mathematics FrameworkEducationWeek- California Adopts Controversial New Math Framework. Here’s What’s in It By Sarah SchwartzSpringer Link - The Relationship Between Homework and Achievement—Still Much of a Mystery by Ulrich Trautwein & Olaf Köller The Atlantic - The Cult of Homework By Joe PinskerJSTOR Daily - The Surprising History of Homework Reform by Livia GershonWikipedia - A Nation at RiskCNN - Kids have three times too much homework, study finds; what’s the cost? by Kelly WallaceCNN - Is homework making your child sick? by Amanda EnayatiJSTOR - "A Sin against Childhood": Progressive Education and the Crusade to Abolish Homework, 1897-1941 by Brian Gill and Steven SchlossmanPew Research Center - What we know about online learning and the homework gap amid the pandemic by Katherine Schaeffer

Educational Leadership: A Conversation with Dr. Jim MahoneyIn this special guest episode of 16:1, we're joined by Dr. Jim Mahoney to discuss insights on educational leadership, including:key qualities of effective educational leadershipthe challenges facing administrators today (and how institutions of higher education can prepare leaders to meet these challenges)engaging community stakeholders in constructive dialogue, andthe unique challenges of the contemporary school funding landscape, particularly for rural schools.Introducing Jim:A long-time educator and entrepreneur, Jim Mahoney has dedicated his life to bettering educational opportunities for all students, serving as a superintendent, principal, and teacher, as well as an adjunct professor at several Ohio universities.In 2001, he joined Battelle for Kids as the organization’s first executive director. Under Jim’s 15 years of leadership, Battelle for Kids grew into a national not-for-profit that expanded across the globe to advance educational equity and opportunity for all students.Today, Jim serves as the founder of RedBrick Hill, a leadership consulting organization, as well as the Strengths Center, comprised of former educators and strengths-based leadership experts who are passionate about creating positives cultures, both in schools and organizations. In addition to writing several articles and co-authoring books, Jim is the author of the book, To Lead is to Teach: Stories and Strategies from the Classroom to the Boardroom. Jim has made presentations throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, and China and has been recognized on numerous occasions for his leadership in education.Sources & Resources:Jim MahoneyBattelle For KidsAtomic Habits by James ClearThe Power of Vulnerability by Brené BrownDr. Robert Quinn State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report by GallupThe Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness By Robert Waldinger, M.D., Marc Schulz, Ph.D 

Education Headline RoundupThe United States’ Office of Educational Technology has released a new policy report entitled Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations. The report offers high-level definitions and recommendations aimed at educators and administrators.Florida’s public university system has approved the use of a new and controversial college entrance exam known as the Classic Learning Test (CLT).Teaching History: Learning, Unlearning, and Building Context in the ClassroomThe study of the past is an essential component of a well-rounded education and a gateway to meaningful civic participation. Why, then, do 85% of eighth-graders score below proficient in U.S. history? Amid shifting sentiments on research, misinformation, and the impact of mass media on the historical record, we're tackling the subject of how history is taught at both the K-12 and postsecondary levels. We discuss the role that textbooks play in the modern history classroom and the difficulties that come with developing age-appropriate curricula covering difficult or sensitive subject matters. Bonus content: we review a few of the lessons we were taught as kids that haven't stood the test of time, featuring George Washington's teeth, indisputable rules of grammar, and the Industrial Revolution. Sources & Resources:Eleven Warriors: "BIG Ten Officials Tell Ryan Day..."YouTube - H.E. Keiko Nagaoka from Arctic CircleOffice of Education Technology - Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and LearningMEXT - Chronology of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology(MEXT)The New York Times - Florida Expected to Approve Classical Exam as a Competitor to the SAT by Dana GoldsteinCLT Tests - MissionNPR - What to know about Florida's 'classic' alternative to the SAT by Juliana KimEducationWeek - Sure, We Teach History. But Do We Know Why It’s Important? by Andrew UjifusaForbes - Why We Need To Start Teaching History In Kindergarten by Natalie WexlerPerspectives on History - Teaching Content, Teaching Skills by Katharina MatroLibro.fm - Meet You in Hell by Les StandifordSmithsonian Magazine - Even Though He Is Revered Today, MLK Was Widely Disliked by the American Public When He Was Killed by James C. CobbLibrary of Congress - Abraham Lincoln papers: Series 2. General Correspondence. 1858-1864: Abraham Lincoln to Horace Greeley, Friday, August 22, 1862 (Clipping from Aug. 23, 1862 Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C.) 

Education Headline RoundupIt’s been a busy week in education news as students and educators in the U.S. head back to school following summer break. Here are the headlines in this week’s edu news roundup:The Biden administration is once again attempting to follow through on campaign promises to alleviate student debt. Details of the SAVE program are discussed.The Boys & Girls Club of America has released a new study revealing troubling trends in levels of bullying and cyberbulling in American schools.The College Board is in hot water over revelations that it sends student SAT scores and GPAs to Facebook and TikTok through tracking pixels (advertising technology).The Columbia County Library in Dayton, Washington, is facing a possible dissolution vote on November 7th after a series of book challenges.Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts announced a new program that would make community college tuition-free for residents without a prior post-secondary degree.Wikipedia and the Quest for a Universal EncyclopediaWikipedia is the largest and most-read reference work in history. Maintained by a large cohort of volunteer editors, the free, online encyclopedia aims to make “the sum of all human knowledge” available to the world. The project of Wikipedia sparks a number of questions of interest to the modern educator, such as: What is expertise? What events, locations, objects, people, artworks, and inventions etc. are noteworthy? What exactly is a neutral point of view? How does living contemporaneously to events of historical significance impact our ability to evaluate them accurately?Is Wikipedia Trustworthy?Wikipedia is a living document, an undulating sea of interconnected articles, references, policies, and end users. Though neutrality is a guiding Wikipedian philosophy, vandalism does sometimes occur, and mistakes are sometimes made. (Studies have shown, however, that Wikipedia is nearly as accurate as traditional print reference resources, such as Encyclopedia Britannica.) We’ll investigate the epistemological challenges inherent to a collaborative and ever-evolving repository of knowledge. We’ll also uncover some startling demographic statistics about Wikipedia’s editors, who aren’t as representative of the average world citizen as you might think.The Impact of AI and Other Modern Internet Forces on WikipediaThe rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is having a major impact on Wikipedia. AI can be used to generate content, summarize articles, and identify vandalism. However, AI also poses a threat to the integrity of the content of Wikipedia, as it often introduces inaccuracies, fabrications, and “hallucinations,” some of which can be extremely difficult to detect. Other modern Internet forces, such as deepfakes and misinformation, are also disrupting Wikipedia’s vast knowledge experiment.Join us as we investigate the history and impact of one of the world’s top 10 websites.Sources & Resources:TED Talk - The Birth of WikipediaThe Independent - Nobody should trust Wikipedia, says man who invented Wikipedia by Mayank AggarwalYouTube - The White House: President Biden Announces the SAVE Plan for Student Loan BorrowersNPR - Borrowers can now apply for new, income-based student loan repayment by Sequoia Carrillo and Cory TurnerBoys & Girls Clubs of America - Youth Right NowAxios - Students face new school year with jump in bullying by April RubinGizmodo - The College Board Tells TikTok and Facebook GPAs and Details About SAT Scores by Thomas GermainWBUR - Community college is now free for Mass. residents 25 and older. Millions qualify by Max LarkinKNKX NPR - Rural Washington library could be nation’s first to dissolve after book challenges by Courtney FlattThe Book Loft - The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood by James GleickWikipedia - WikipediaWikipedia - Help: Introduction to Policies and GuidelinesWikipedia - What Wikipedia is NotTechnology Review - The Decline of Wikipedia by Tom SimoniteDuke University Press - Wikipedia's Race and Ethnicity Gap and the Unverifiability of Whiteness by Michael MandibergAljazeera - How are Wikipedians fighting gender bias online? HBR - Why Do So Few Women Edit Wikipedia? by Nicole TorresVice - AI Is Tearing Wikipedia Apart by Claire WoodcockThe Next Web - UK plan to police internet may be unlawful, force Wikipedia shutdown by Thomas MacaulayUK Parliament - Online Safety BillThe Economic Times - How accurate is Wikipedia's content? Governance, Organization, and Democracy on the Internet: The Iron Law and the Evolution of Wikipedia by Piotr Konieczny