In this critical episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice Podcast, host Dr. Tracey A. Benson welcomes Dr. Catherine Pozniak, independent education finance consultant, for a candid conversation about the uncertain future of public education under the current federal administration.

Dr. Pozniak demystifies the role of the U.S. Department of Education, explains the implications of proposed cuts to programs like Title I and Title II, and outlines the potential consequences of dismantling the Department altogether. From funding uncertainty to DEI rollbacks, from recession threats to the strain on state infrastructure—this episode unpacks the policy shifts that could reshape the American education landscape.

Whether you’re a parent, a policymaker, or a principal, this episode provides essential context for understanding how national-level decisions reverberate through classrooms and communities—and what we can do to stay informed and proactive.

Follow Dr. Catherine Pozniak on LinkedIn for accessible, nonpartisan analysis of education policy and funding.

In this episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice podcast, hosted by Dr. Tracey Benson, Dr. Sean Darling-Hammond, an assistant professor at UCLA's Fielding School of Public Health, is invited on to have a discussion on the education system. Together, they examine restorative practices, exclusionary discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline. Dr. Darling-Hammond emphasizes the psychological harm of exclusionary discipline and advocates for restorative approaches that foster psychological safety and community in schools. The conversation also touches on the complex role of school resource officers in creating an inclusive educational environment.

🔗 Links:

Spotify: Research to Practice - The Anti-Racism Leadership Institute | Podcast on Spotify

Apple: Research to Practice - Apple Podcasts

LinkedIn: Anti-Racism Leadership Institute: Overview | LinkedIn
"Unconscious Bias in Schools" Book, Co-Written by Dr. Tracey A. Benson:
Unconscious Bias in Schools (harvard.edu)

Dr.Darling-Hammond on Google Scholar: https://lked.in/9rY8pG

Dr. Darling-Hammond on LinkedIn: https://lked.in/pPuW

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In this episode of the Anti-Racism Leadership Institute Research to Practice podcast, Dr. Tracey A. Benson engages with Dr. Hilary Green, an esteemed scholar of African American history and author of Unforgettable Sacrifice: How Black Communities Remembered the Civil War. They delve into the transformative role of family history in understanding the Civil War, the cultural importance of African-American porches as living archives, and the integration of African-American history into educational frameworks. Dr. Green highlights the value of community engagement, the vital contributions of everyday individuals to historical narratives, and the obligation of higher education institutions to address historical injustices while fostering equity. This conversation is a profound exploration of history, memory, and anti-racist education.