With school choice here to stay, public school districts must evolve to embrace the reality of competition. Rochanda Jackson, Executive Director of the Office of Policy, Planning, Evaluation, and Testing at the Newark Board of Education, joins to discuss how her district has remained at the forefront. From leveraging the accountability of standardized testing to implementing proactive open enrollment strategies, she breaks down the key moves that have helped Newark stay ahead. Discover the importance of marketing your district’s story before it’s shaped by the competition.

Following Caissa K12’s recent feature in The New York Times, Brian sits down to directly respond to some of the reactions and comments it sparked. Joined by producer Caroline Christian, he addresses common misconceptions about public school districts, highlights the double standards they often face, and discusses the challenges of operating on an uneven playing field. From debates about equity and accountability to the role of marketing and public perception, learn the reality public school districts are facing, and why the focus must remain on the future of all students.

What happens when a society turns its back on public education? In this episode, we look at education’s past and present to uncover the devastating consequences cultures face when public education systems are dismantled or neglected. The loss of education doesn’t just slow progress and economic growth; it threatens the very foundation of a functioning society.

From institutional collapse to dictatorship to war, undermining public education leaves entire generations behind. As threats to equal access continue to grow, it is more important than ever to understand why protecting public education is essential to our future.

What can the history of public education teach us about its future? Across centuries and civilizations, public education has always played a central role in shaping societies and developing productive citizens. Learn how this global evolution defined the system we have today, and why understanding the importance of public education is vital in navigating the challenges districts are facing today.

The future of public education depends on our willingness to face reality: traditional public schools are in a competition, whether they want to be or not. In this episode, explore why districts must choose to compete, and how their communities must rise to the challenge and support them. The decline of access to free, high-quality public education threatens the very foundation of our society, which is why supporting and advocating for traditional public schools must become a top priority for communities across the nation.

School choice legislation aims to create competition, but how can it be fair when public schools play by different rules? Scott Howat, the Chief Communications Officer of Orange County Public Schools, joins to discuss the financial impact of universal vouchers, the importance of accountability with taxpayer dollars, and why school choice isn’t the level playing field it appears to be.

Discover the key actions public school district leaders should take today to remain competitive, from highlighting their schools’ community value to embracing a more student-centered approach to education.

AI’s relevancy has increased drastically in recent years, but is it education’s cornerstone or its crutch? This episode explores the benefits and consequences of AI in the classroom, as well as the long term repercussions on students of a growing digital divide. Listen in to gain insights related to mitigating these challenges.

Public education supporters across the nation have watched one community’s battle against unfair state legislation, a battle led by Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson. In this episode, featuring guest host Paige Walkup, Dr. Johnson shares how she fought a bill that aimed to dismantle the state’s public school districts.

Learn about the ins and outs of the fight against Bill 1136, from its four core areas of impact to the inspiring story of how district leaders and community members joined forces, using their voices to protect students.