The Education Exchange

Emily Putnam-Hornstein, the John A. Tate Distinguished Professor for Children in Need at the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how funds are distributed to foster children in the United States. "No, States Aren’t “Stealing” from Foster Children," co-written with Naomi Schaefer Riley, is available now at AEI. https://www.aei.org/op-eds/no-states-arent-stealing-from-foster-children/

Vladimir Kogan, a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Ohio State University, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss how voters handle school choice at the ballot box in the United States. "Voters Reject Vouchers—Again! What the defeat of private school choice measures in three states signals for the movement," co-written with Parker Baxter and Michael Hartney, is available now at Education Next. https://www.educationnext.org/voters-reject-vouchers-again-defeat-private-school-choice-measures/

Aaron Garth Smith, the Director of Education Reform at the Reason Foundation, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Reason's latest report, which details how education funds were spent in 2025. "K-12 Education Spending Spotlight 2025: Annual public school spending nears $1 trillion," co-written with Jordan Campbell, is available now at Reason.org.

Daion L. Daniels, Director of Research for the Indiana Department of Education, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program, which documents how many students took advantage of the Arkansas choice program, and its results in student achievement. The 2024-25 Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program Annual Report, co-written with Alison Heape Johnson, Joshua B. McGee, and Patrick J. Wolf, is available now. https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/2024-25_Arkansas_Education_Freedom_Accounts_Program_Annual_Report_100125_OSCPE.pdf

Martin R. West, the editor-in-chief of Education Next, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the new Massachusetts state high school graduation framework, which will replace the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) exam.

Joshua Goodman, an associate professor of education and of economics at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss Goodman's latest research, which looks into how the job market can impact college enrollment in two-year institutions. "Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment," co-written with Joseph Winkelmann, is available now at NBER. https://www.nber.org/papers/w34498

Derrell Bradford, the president of 50CAN, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the state of charter schools in 2025, and where the sector can go as more school choice options become available for families.

An adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School of Education and the former superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, Joseph Olchefske, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss weighted student funding, and how it can best be implemented to increase student achievement.

Rocco E. Testani, the co-leader of the Eversheds Sutherland Business and Commercial Litigation team, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the history of the U.S. Department of Education, its impact on student achievement and President Trump's efforts to shut the department down.

Thiru Vignarajah, the former Deputy Attorney General of Maryland and the former Law Clerk to Justice Stephen Breyer, joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss the implications for dismantling or abolishing the U.S. Department of Education.