Post an opinion about something you heard and a question about something you didn’t understand or that you’d like to know more about. Alternatively, you could consider the question of whether/why P-12 teachers might benefit from listening to this podcast.
Rosalyn!
ReplyDeleteP-12 teachers might benefit from listening to the “Have You Heard?” podcast because the hosts, Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider, bring several valuable perspectives on education that are relevant to classroom practice and educational policy. Berkshire was once a public school teacher and she is versed in journalism and storytelling, but she now specifically writes about the intersection of education and politics. She writes about education reform, reflecting on policies that negatively and positively affect classrooms. And then there’s Schneider, who is an education scholar and the leader of the Beyond Test Scores project that analyzes how educators, policymakers, and the public develop particular views about what is true, what is effective, and what is important in education. When you combine their skills together, their podcast looks at complex educational issues, something that could provide P-12 teachers with content that can inspire new ideas, allow a deeper and critical look at education systems, and empower them to navigate the political and social dynamics influencing their profession.
I actually went back and listened to one of their podcasts, “#188 What Will a Second Trump Term Mean for Public Education?” and found it very insightful. To keep my blog post short, I’ll focus on the first issue they discussed: immigration policies. They asked Sophia Rodriguez, a former K–12 teacher and associate professor of Educational Policy Studies and Sociology at New York University, to talk about her worries and experiences regarding Trump's possible immigration policies and how they may affect schools. Rodriguez was profoundly impacted as a teacher when she saw her kids living in continual fear of deportation during his first term in 2016. Rodriguez stated that the most worrisome thing about Trump's threats, which hover over his second term, is not only how ridiculous they are, but also how likely they are to come true.
The difficulties educators and students now confront would be heightened terribly if Trump were to remove funding and programs like Title I and Title III, which are vital for historically marginalized groups. There are several issues that educators need to learn how to deal with, including immigration, but also other challenges like school funding, standardized testing, juggling different needs of students, and curriculum mandates. Resources for special education and mental health care, teacher autonomy, and student rights can all be impacted by Trump’s political decisions. For educators, the political environment is especially important because legislation has a direct impact on educational equity and classroom experiences. The "Have You Heard?" podcast clarifies these relationships, aiding teachers in remaining knowledgeable and equipped to handle the changing obstacles in public education.
Mia :)
ReplyDeleteI liked that the hosts Jack Schneider and Jennifer Berkshire brought insight into how teachers can make new ideas out of the intersection of politics and education. A lot of times politics combining with education is a touchy subject. But with Berkshire being a former teacher both of the hosts gave good ideas and how to intersect politics and school in a positive light.
I found the podcast interesting; it opened my mind to many new things. In the podcast they talked about how republicans are trying to turn schools in the businesses, I don't think I've ever thought of it this way but when you think of the certain things that people want to take away from education It can be very "strictly business" I find that this is going to hurt a lot of children because school is supposed to be a place where you go and learn outside of your bubble, but if we keep it strictly one agenda that will not happen. School is an important and growing part of children's lives, and I think if it becomes what some people hope it will become, education, it won't mean anything anymore, it'll have no significance.
ReplyDeleteRiley B
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the podcast and really enjoyed that they were talking about standardized testing as well as talking about preparing highschoolers for the future. I thought it was crazy how they said buisness leaders consider passing standardized testing as a way to know if they are workforce ready!?! Like how does standardized tests relate to how well you can work? I did love how they talked about not just preparing highschool students for the next level of education but preparing for life in general. I think it would be a great idea for educators to listen to this podcast as it gives different insights all teachers may not have. It was also mentioned that "We have no idea what will be useful in the future." And I was Like YES EXACTLY.
I really enjoyed the podcast it really opened my eyes to the public school system. I think PK-12 teachers could benefit from listening to this podcast because it gives ideas about new teaching tools. I liked the idea that public schools should be limited based to zip codes.
ReplyDeleteYuritzy Martinez :)
ReplyDeleteThis podcast would be very beneficial for all teachers to listen to every now and then. With my episode, it spoke about how immigrants were being "Americanized" and as years go by, school populations are becoming higher. There are of course many opinions, especially the 2 main left and right opinions on immigrants but keeping students from succeeding no matter where you come from is crucial. I remember them mentioning how one of the schools had programs that were not inclusive to all or didn't benefit all students. From being an ESL student for the first few years of my education, the classrooms we were being pulled from felt very isolating and with the podcast duo speaking about how that doesn't help us at all is very interesting to listen to.
Danny Trainham:
ReplyDeleteK-12 teachers can benefit from listening to the podcast "Have You Heard" because it discusses relative topics that affect the education system. The specific episode I listened to, titled "The Opposite of Privatization is Publicization," conveys that schools are not truly public. It is a common practice for families to choose their residence based on the quality and resources of nearby schools. If someone cannot afford to live in a suburban community, they are excluded from certain opportunities and resources. This exclusion essentially turns "public schools" into private institutions, as not everyone has equal access to them. Additionally, the podcast highlights how public schools are subject to standardized testing, which serves as a form of accountability. Standardized testing often results in harsh consequences, such as teachers being replaced and institutional reformation, but private schools are not held to the same standard. Knowing these facts, is it valid to assume that private institutions are more democratic since they are not punished by standardized testing and therefore have more freedom with curriculum? It is important to note that private school teachers aren't required to hold teaching certifications, yet these schools are often still preferred and considered "better." Are private schools favored because they are more democratic and families know what type of curriculum they are paying for?
I really enjoyed the podcast, especially the host. They were very feel-speaking and talked about a lot of important information that needed to be heard. Although I have done my research on this whole situation and more, I will say I did learn way more. I believe school is so important, especially since they're trying to do so much obstructively when it comes to the school system. As the years keep going, it is going to be very beneficial and key for the upcoming students to know what happened and what is currently happening in this country. It's a sad situation, unfortunately, but the more eyes that are realizing what is going on, the more I believe if we come together as one, there can and will be change for the better.
ReplyDeleteClaire Cook:
ReplyDeleteI thought that this podcast was very interesting and entertaining. I liked the flow of the episode, and how I was interested in what they were saying the entire time. They mentioned that there was a time that students weren’t allowed to learn any language other than English in school and I thought that was crazy, especially now that, at least for me personally, it was required to take a foreign language in school. I think P-12 teachers might benefit from listening to this podcast because they may learn about current issues and things going on that they are unaware of.
Charlie Campbell
ReplyDelete#186 What is High School For?
On November 5th 2024, the State of Massachusetts voted Yes on Massachusetts Question 2, Repeal Competency Assessment Requirement for High School Graduation Initiative, by a large majority of 59% yes to 40% no. This does not replace Federal testing as that is Federal, not State, law.
Their State test, the MCAS, will still be taken for diagnostics and meeting Federal requirements but is no longer a standard bar that everyone has to meet to graduate from high school. Critics argued that the MCAS had proven to be a predicted of future career success, and that by removing it inequity would increase because certain schools would just lower standards to make sure students graduate.
Those in favor of removing the standard say schools aren’t preparing students for the jobs of the future and we need to spend less time teaching test taking abilities.
Labree says that test taking is not an economically relevant skill and that “Move Fast and Break Things” is the way of the modern economy. Modern high schools methods might actually be counterproductive to producing graduates ready for future business needs.
In my opinion, I think this will allow a few schools with engaged parents and forward looking administration to improve their programs but the vast Majority of Massachusetts high schools will simply reduce their standards to maintain graduation rates.
My question is that since there isn’t a standard bar for high schools how with Massachusetts public high school graduates fare? What will change? For who?
Nida-I think K-12 or PE teachers can benefit from listening to this podcast because it is very informative, particularly on my assigned podcast on voucher scams. These voucher scams not only affect students' education but also public teachers. In the podcast, the discussion of vouchers, which allow families to use taxpayer dollars to fund a child's education at an accredited private school, notably discusses the role of dark money and power in the push for vouchers in states like Texas. Vouchers divert money from our already strained public school systems. A handful of mega-rich donors take advantage of this narrative that our schools are failing us in order to push their own agendas under the illusion of grassroot support. However, public schools are absolutely essential to our democracy. Democracy promotes the idea of the gathering of people around the world who seek socioeconomic opportunities and public schools are the perfect microcosm for those democratic values, instilling and fostering the values of inclusivity, collectivism, critical thinking, etc. that are imperative to creating a more informed and just civil society. This reflects that public school systems do more than just prepare students for the future of our workforce; they prepare them for a democratic society. To take it away is a huge threat to our own democracy.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI liked this podcast a lot and how it ties in Republican ways that people are trying to convert schools. This podcast does a really good job of showing that Republicans wants to transform schools into a business type learning system. Republican views today are different for the school system than it was 25 years ago. The republican party used to be a higher class of people who cater a lot to business, and it is a big part of their life. Business shouldn't be a part of education; people should be able to decide their path and make free decisions.
Elise Ginn
DeleteAlistair here:
ReplyDeleteMy reflection of my podcast episode of have you heard: Coming to America, is that there is a lot of complicated systems in place surrounding immigration in theory and in practice. They related on the topic of "Becoming American" in public institutions like schools and that before the past few decades (Some even holding this opinion now), becoming American means erasing your native culture and language in order to assimilate to American schools and society. This is a pressure placed by peers and educators, put in law by administrators and politicians intentionally. The hosts of the podcast interviewed several schools across America that are challenging this process with curriculums that encourage linguistic and cultural celebration as well as newer language that doesn't prioritize English comprehension over intelectual growth. I wonder why politicians, especially on the Right, love to use fearmongering of immigration and losing American hegemony as a tactic to control populations, most of who are immigrants of a few generations prior. there is an interesting dissonance we hold for White immigrants of the past few centuries and the non-white immigrants that are practicing the same process essentially, which at the time was just as controversial. Think about the fact that Irish and Italian immigrants were persecuted the same way Hispanic and African immigrants are today!
Halie Murphy-
ReplyDeleteI think that listening to this podcast would be very beneficial. Although they are teachers, they can always learn too. Understanding how each side views school can be a great tool in changing the system. If teachers are stuck in their ways and close minded it affects their effectiveness in the class room and hinders their students education and limits their curiosity.
Taylor Duquette
ReplyDeleteVoucher scams can undermine the public education system, leading to a less equitable and effective education for many students. Voucher programs can disproportionately benefit wealthier families who can afford to top up the voucher amount to cover the full cost of private school tuition. This leaves lower-income families still reliant on underfunded public schools.
Overall, I think that this podcast was very beneficial to listen to. The podcasts hosts spent time dissecting what high school truly is for, and how standardized testing plays a part. There was a large discussion about whether or not students in high school just "do school", rather than actually learning, because they have to memorize the knowledge in order to do well on the standardized test. Overall, the hosts decided that many students want to get out of school, because they're not truly learning material.
ReplyDeleteCady Ayers
ReplyDeleteThe podcast I was assigned focused on publicization vs privatization. I didn’t really understand what defines a charter school until I listened to the episode. The way it was described made it out to be some sort of raffle. The speaker saw this to be far less exclusive than a public or private school since students are picked at random. I’m not too sure on how much I agreed with their opinions. Yes, randomization guarantees “fairness”, but only to those who are chosen. I did agree with the fact that some public schools are exclusive in the sense that they are in higher funded locations that are relative to your family's income. If your family is “well off”, then you have a better chance of a better education.
I think P-12 teachers could benefit from listening to this podcast to aid in understanding the potential impacts of voucher programs, which could be crucial for effective teaching and advocacy within their communities. Vouchers could affect individual students based on socioeconomic status, funding of public schools, and therefore the quality of education that is provided for certain groups. Overall, it would be nice to listen to people who are also in their position and understand their side as educators and advocates. (Jordan Dent)
ReplyDeleteEmma Finn-
ReplyDeleteI am listening to this podcast as a soon-to-be teacher and I found it very inspirational. I think if I were an actual teacher listening to the podcast, lots of my feelings would be validated and I would feel inspired on a different level than I currently am. I think teachers would benefit to listening to have their feelings and frustrations validated and for some guidance on how to "speak out" and have their voices be heard.
Rob:
ReplyDeleteI listened to podcast # 189 in regards to what's driving the Republican Party's Radical Shift on Education. It was interesting to hear the viewpoints of these two and their guest and to understand just how different their philosophy is from what is essentially being
presented as a way forward. It seems as if they are very progressive but that even what is being considered is way too radical for them to consider. It was funny to hear the sarcasm in the intro in reference to the shift that they were talking about and their viewpoint. It makes me wonder just how drastic these changes really may end up being
when it all boils down in the upcoming months. While as a parent I would like to have some sort of choice in my children's educational path, it is also very logical and important to me to keep the changes simple and not be too radical or drastic as far as that is concerned. It would shock me to see much change from where we currently stand but I can definitely agree that something has to change. We spend near the top in cost per pupil throughout the world but over the past 100+ years we have seen literally no rise in the quality of education we are receiving. This is a huge problem that certainly needs to be addressed and quite frankly I am very happy about what Donald Trump is doing in regards to disbanding the Education policies and organizations that have done a terrible job of bettering our future and educational growth.
Talia: Listening to the episode really got me thinking about how complicated education is when you look at it as both a market and a public good. On one hand, education is supposed to be a public right — something everyone has access to, regardless of money or background. But at the same time, you can see how much the system has been shaped by market ideas, like competition, choice, and privatization. Things like charter schools, vouchers, and even standardized testing all seem to treat education more like a product than a right.I feel like treating education as a market ends up deepening inequality. If education is something you can "shop" for, then people with more money and resources are going to end up with better opportunities, and people with less are going to get left behind. It moves the system even further away from the idea of education as something that should lift everyone up. I think the podcast made a really good point that instead of constantly trying to "fix" public schools by adding more market ideas, maybe we should be focusing on making public schools stronger and more equitable, actually investing in them as a public good.
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