The Education Exchange

Alberto Carvalho, Superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District., joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how the district has worked to turn around lower performing schools.

Martin R. West, the editor-in-chief of Education Next and member of the National Assessment Governing Board, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the latest release of National Assessment of Educational Progress data.

Heather Mac Donald, the Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Mac Donald's recent article, which is critical of the changes the Trump Administration has made with the National Science Foundation. Mac Donald's article, "Trump Takes on Big Science," is available now from City Journal. https://www.city-journal.org/article/trump-national-science-foundation-education-grant-funding

Ilya Marritz, an independent journalist, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Marritz's recent reporting on the relationship between Alan Garber, the president of Harvard University, and Jay Bhattacharya, who is currently the director of the National Institutes of Health. Marritz's article, "Alan Garber's former student now holds the keys to Harvard's future," is available now from The Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/11/metro/alan-garbers-former-student-now-holds-keys-harvards-future/

Scott R. Levy, an Adjunct Lecturer at Harvard Graduate School of Education and author of 'Why School Boards Matter', discusses the pivotal role of school boards in today's educational landscape. He highlights their transformation from operational roles to governance entities, emphasizing community engagement amid declining enrollments. Levy also tackles the rise of homeschooling, the importance of local autonomy, and the need for transparency in educational policies. His insights delve into balancing state oversight with parental control, essential for fostering effective learning environments.

Brian Stephens, the CEO of Caissa K12, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how public schools can make themselves more appealing to students and parents as vouchers and tax credits becomes more popular across the country.

Paul Carrese, a Professor in the School of Civic & Economic Thought and Leadership at Arizona State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Columbia University's recent $200 million settlement with the Trump administration.

Derrell Bradford, the president of 50CAN, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how states might react to the new tax credit scholarship provision that was part of budget reconciliation bill, which was passed by Congress and signed into law on July 4, 2025.

Ester Fuchs, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science at Columbia University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the New York City mayoral race, and what it could mean for education in the city.

Robert Maranto, the 21st Century Chair in Leadership in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the Free Inquiry Papers, a project which looks into how freedom of expression was suppressed at institutions of higher education, and how universities can change course. "The Free Inquiry Papers: How to Bring Back Free Inquiry," co-written with Sally Satel, Catherine Salmon, and Lee Jussim, is available now. https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/the-free-inquiry-papers-how-to-bring-back-free-inquiry/