Race science, with its noxious claims that ‘biology is destiny,’ comes roaring back during periods of social change. That’s the conclusion of a new book by historian Quinn Slobodian, tracing today’s obsessive focus on IQ back to the social tumult of the 1970’s and the revolt against ‘political correctness’ in the 1990’s. Regardless of the time period, the argument for race science is remarkably consistent: since destiny is baked into the genetic pie, what’s the point of costly public policy interventions, public education chief among them?
The financial support of listeners like you keeps this podcast going. Subscribe on Patreon:
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#205 Schools as Sorting Machines
Forget all that talk about education as the great equalizer. Public schools and inequality are joined at the hip. But must it be that way? We talk to the authors of a recent book called Schooled and Sorted, an eye-opening investigation into the ways sorting within schools translates into inequality in the larger world, and how to change that. And we head to Portland, Oregon for a close-up look at the most destructive sort of sorting in action, and meet some parents who are trying to do something about it.
The financial support of listeners like you keeps this podcast going. Subscribe on Patreon:
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#204 Collision Course
Ohio’s billion dollar plus religious school voucher program is blatantly unconstitutional. So ruled a state judge this summer, putting political leaders and their increasing hostility towards public education on a collision course with Ohio’s constitution and the schools that are a backbone of this state. We talk to policy experts and school district leaders about the ruling, learn about the Northwest Ordinance (thanks Jack!), and hear from Ohioans who are equal parts terrified and hopeful about the future of both public education and democracy in this state.
The financial support of listeners like you keeps this podcast going. Subscribe on Patreon:
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#203 Power in Numbers
Public schools are facing mounting money woes, and feeling the pinch of hostile policies coming from the state and federal government. But despite this bleak forecast, there are also pockets of possibility. School finance ‘whisperer’ David Backer returns to Have You Heard to help us understand the current landscape, and to make the case for healthy school finance vs the ‘toxic’ brand that currently rules. David’s brand of policy-focused organizing, a vision that’s been delivering some surprising wins, offers some desperately needed inspiration.
The financial support of listeners like you keeps this podcast going. Subscribe on Patreon:
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#202 College Inside, College Outside
We meet eight former prison inmates who are now attending college on campus at Boston College. These students in the BC Prison Education Program reflect on the transition from incarceration to college, what they make of their traditional undergrad peers, and the power of the liberal arts. As debates rage over the purpose of higher education and who it’s for, this episode reminds us of what learning for learning’s sake can still sound like.
The financial support of listeners like you keeps this podcast going. Subscribe on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/HaveYouHeardPodcast
Occasionally funny and periodically informative, Have You Heard features journalist Jennifer Berkshire and scholar Jack Schneider as they explore the age-old quest to finally fix the nation's public schools, one policy issue at a time.
USA