Shows
EdChoice ChatsEdChoice Chats: Tackling School Choice Attacks with Robert EnlowFor decades, critics of school choice have warned that it would destroy public education. From claims that funding would evaporate to predictions of catastrophic harm to students, the rhetoric has been dramatic—and remarkably consistent.
But is there any truth to these warnings?
Robert Enlow, CEO of EdChoice, and Ed Tarnowski, author of the new report Who's Afraid of School Choice, take some of the most anti-school choice quotes from the report and read them for you.2025-06-3013 min
EdChoice ChatsEdChoice Chats: School Choice is Racist and Other Myths with Michael BindasOn this edition of EdChoice Chats, host Mike McShane, Director of National Research at EdChoice, talks with Michael Bindas, Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice, about his new paper titled "School Choice is Racist and Other Myths."2025-06-1136 minEdChoice ChatsEdChoice Chats: School Starter Checklist RankingsIn this edition of EdChoice Chats, John Kristof and Mike McShane talk about the new report School Starter Checklist Rankings; a compendium of regulations on private schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.2025-03-3022 minEdChoice ChatsEp. 422: EdChoice Chats: The Friedman IndexIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, host Mike McShane talks with Ben Scafidi and Colyn Ritter about the 2025 EdChoice Friedman Index: All Students, All Options, All Dollars.2025-02-2423 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 418: EdChoice Chats EdChoice ShareIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, host Mike McShane talks with Colyn Ritter and Robert Enlow about the 2025 EdChoice Share which tracks the proportion of K-12 students in every state that are enrolled in a private school choice program.2025-01-2524 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 293: 2022 EdChoice SuperlativesIn this episode we hear from our team on the EdChoice Superlatives and get a snapshot of the highs and lows of the school choice movement from the previous year.2022-01-2829 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 242: EdChoice Chats - A Discussion with Ulcca Joshi Hansen About New Opportunities for Ed ReformUlcca Joshi Hansen, founder of Educating Potential, joins us to discuss the direction of education in a post-pandemic world.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2021-03-0537 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 230: EdChoice Chats - A Conversation with Danielle Shockey About Education InfrastructureDanielle Shockey, CEO of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, hops on the podcast to talk about the teacher talent pipeline and challenges we face in light of the pandemic. Shockey formally worked as the deputy superintendent of public instruction for the Indiana Department of Education and as a school principal.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-12-1728 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 227: Monthly Tracker Results – November 2020In this episode, we share key takeaways from our November 2020 wave of polling as reported on our EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker. For more from the full report, visit edchoice.morningconsultintelligence.com.
For more information about what we do, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-12-0937 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 222: Monthly Tracker Results – October 2020In this episode, we share key takeaways from our October 2020 wave of polling as reported on our EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker. For more from the full report, visit edchoice.morningconsultintelligence.com.
For more information about EdChoice and what we do, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-11-1934 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 199: Monthly Tracker Results - July 2020In this episode, we share key takeaways from last month's EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker polling waves, including increased favorability of homeschooling and more.
For more information, visit edchoice.morningconsultintelligence.com.2020-08-1129 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 197: Monthly Tracker Results - June 2020In this episode, we share key takeaways from last month's EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker polling waves.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-07-3131 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 196: The Monthly Debrief - June Looking to July 2020In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's President and CEO Robert Enlow, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick, and our two state directors, Lauren Hodge and Jordan Zackery, discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-07-2818 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 185: The Monthly Debrief - April Looking to May 2020In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow chats with Michael Schuttloffel, executive director of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). They discuss the state of private schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-05-2920 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 183: Private School Survey on COVID-19Learn more about what you will find in the "Private School COVID-19 Response Survey," prepared for EdChoice by Hanover Research.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org2020-05-2729 minEdChoice ChatsEp. 181: EdChoice Public Opinion TrackerWe discuss the goals of our new EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker, along with some of the data you'll find—including COVID-19 teacher survey results.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-05-1930 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 176: Our Top 10 Education MoviesThe EdChoice team shares their favorite education-themed movies—from "Dead Poets Society" to "School of Rock."
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-05-0531 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 174: Ohio Voter Poll with Drew Catt and Yitz FrankDrew Catt, director of state research at EdChoice, and Yitz Frank, chairman of the board of School Choice Ohio, discuss the results from the "Ohio K–12 & School Choice Survey."
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-04-2920 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 172: The Monthly Debrief - March Looking to April 2020In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge chat with Emily Sass, policy director at the Center for Innovation and Education, about the latest school choice happenings in Texas.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-04-1613 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 169: A Conversation with Rick HessRick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute joins EdChoice President and CEO Robert Enlow to discuss their involvement in the school choice movement over the past 20 years. They examine past messaging, re-framing the way we talk about school choice and more.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-03-3127 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 167: The Monthly Debrief - February Looking to March 2020In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They discuss school choice firsts in South Carolina and legislation passed in Utah.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-03-1719 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 165: Transporting School Choice Students - A Chat with the AuthorsIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, the authors of our latest report, Transporting School Choice Students, discuss inspiration, methodology and findings.
For more information or to download the report, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-03-1118 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 160: Big Ideas - "A Legacy To Keep" with Virginia Walden FordWe sit down with EdChoice board member Virginia Walden Ford to discuss her book, "School Choice: A Legacy to Keep." In it, she describes growing up the daughter of the first black assistant superintendent of the Little Rock school district, and how she became a champion for educational choice.
To learn more, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-02-2050 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 161: Legal Updates with Leslie - MT, TN, CT, OH, NV, D.C.In today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner discusses recent school choice litigation across the country, including her recent visit to the U.S. Supreme Court for oral arguments in the Espinoza case.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-02-2037 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 159: The Monthly Debrief - January Looking to February 2020In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's President and CEO Robert Enlow, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They focus on the State of the Union address, school choice controversy in Tennessee and more.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2020-02-1225 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 156: Our 2020 School Choice Yearbook SuperlativesThere’s no better time to reflect on recent school choice happenings and look forward to a new year than during National School Choice Week.
As we do every year, the EdChoice team got together to vote on yearbook superlative categories, such as Most Inspiring, Biggest Setback and our newest recognition, Most Likely to Expand, in 2020.
To see how the EdChoice team voted last year, check out Our 2019 EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives.2020-01-2734 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 152: A New Era for K–12 Education FundingOur VP of External Relations Brian McGrath, Director of Fiscal Policy and Analysis Marty Lueken and EdChoice Fellow James Shuls discuss big takeaways from this year's Walton Finance Symposium.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-12-1025 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 148: A Look Back at October and Forward to NovemberIn this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They focus on NAEP results, our recent Schooling in America survey and more.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org2019-11-1226 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 143: Researcher Profile - Kathaleena MondsKathaleena Monds, founding director at the Center for Educational Opportunity at Albany State University, discusses school choice, historically black colleges, education reform research and more in this episode of EdChoice Chats.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-10-2228 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 141: Legal Updates with Leslie - Montana and MaineIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner discusses recent school choice litigation across the country, including the amicus brief she recently filed with the United States Supreme Court.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-10-0321 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 138: Choice in the States - Indiana with Robert EnlowRobert Enlow, who has been with EdChoice since it's initial founding as the Milton and Rose Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice in 1996, talks with our Director of Policy Jason Bedrick. They discuss some of the early school choice legislation in Indiana and more.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-09-1930 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 137: The Monthly Debrief - August Looking to September 2019In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and VP of Communications Jennifer Wagner discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They focus on public school choice and public-school district open enrollment policies.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-09-1726 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 129: Researcher Profile - John MerrifieldJohn Merrifield, professor of economics at the University of Texas San Antonio and an EdChoice fellow, discusses 20 years of researching school choice and reform. He unpacks topics in his book, "The School Choice Wars" (2001), and previews his new book, "School System Reform: Why and How Is a Price-less Tale," coming out this fall.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-08-2050 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 126: The Monthly Debrief - July Looking to August 2019Legislative sessions are winding down, so what is our state team doing now? In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss everything from program expansions in Ohio to winning bets.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-08-0621 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 125: School Choice in Pop Culture – House Of CardsIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO Robert Enlow and VP of Communications Jennifer Wagner discuss education policy in House of Cards. They unpack the accuracy and effectiveness of policymaking.
Learn more about school choice at www.edchoice.org.2019-07-3154 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 123: Legal Updates with Leslie - TN, FL, MD and MTIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner chats with Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner about several litigation issues across the country, including an update on the Montana tax-credit scholarship case.
Learn more at www.edchoice.org.2019-07-1629 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 122: The Monthly Debrief - June Looking to July 2019In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from the repeal of the Nevada Education Savings Account program to program expansions in Ohio.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-07-1126 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 119: 2019 Surveying The MilitaryIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, authors of our newest report, 2019 Surveying the Military, discuss their findings. This report, which expands on the first military survey we conducted in 2017, provides a better understanding of the experiences and views of military families in America toward K–12 education.
For more information or to download the report, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-06-2533 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 118: The Monthly Debrief - May Looking to June 2019In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from a pilot ESA program in Tennessee to an appropriations bill in North Carolina.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-06-1126 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 117 - EdChoice's 2018 Annual ReviewIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO discusses how—in an era where people say school choice is 'not going to go forward'—the demand for our training programs and research has increased. He talks about how the idea of 'universal' school choice continues to increase, roadblocks in the movement, and more.
For even more details on school choice strides in 2018, visit edchoice.org/2018-annual-review/.2019-06-0413 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 114: The Monthly Debrief - April Looking to May 2019In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartie, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from raising the cap on available tax credits Indiana to a bill passed in North Carolina.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-05-1421 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 113: Discussing School Climate, Parent Involvement and More Findings from Recent SurveyIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, EdChoice Vice President of Research and Innovation talks with the two authors of our recently released report, "Families’ Experiences on the New Frontier of Educational Choice." Drew Catt, our director of state research and special projects, and Albert Cheng, assistant professor at the University of Arkansas, discuss the most interesting responses from Arizona parents.
Read the full report: https://www.edchoice.org/research/families-experiences-on-the-new-frontier-of-educational-choice/2019-05-0929 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 111: A Conversation with Mark Gleason of the Philadelphia School PartnershipIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, EdChoice's Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner talks with Mark Gleason, executive director of the Philadelphia School Partnership. The two discuss success of the nine-year program, growing leadership and management skills in Philadelphia schools, and more.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-04-2324 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 110: The Monthly Debrief - March Looking to April 2019In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier and Director of Policy Jason Bedrick discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from school choice legislation introduced in Nevada to expanding Oklahoma's tax-credit scholarship program.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-04-1628 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 109: School Choice in Pop Culture – Last Man StandingIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our VP of External Relations Brian McGrath and CRM and Email Marketing Manager Abby Hayes take a look at Last Man Standing. They discuss school choice topics brought up in a a selection of episodes, including bilingual education, using a family member's address to attend a non-district school, and more. Watch (or just listen) below.
Learn more about school choice at www.edchoice.org.2019-04-1051 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 108: Cool Schools | Mastery Charter Shoemaker CampusIn this episode of the Cool Schools podcast, EdChoice Director of National Research Mike McShane talks with Sharif El-Mekki, principal of Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus. He talks about his journey for educational justice, how he effectively uses student and alumni surveys, where you can find some of his writing, and more.
For more information, visit edchoice.org.2019-04-0230 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 105: The Monthly Debrief - February Looking to March 2019In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from a new, special needs ESA bill in Iowa, to 'democracy in action' in New Hampshire.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-03-2623 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 106: Talking Rural Education with Mike McShane and Andy SmarickIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of National Research Mike McShane talks with Andy Smarick, the civil society education and work director at the R Street Institute. The two discuss the most interesting and shocking findings in "No Longer Forgotten: The Triumphs and Struggles of Rural Education in America," a book they edited.
For more about school choice programs in America, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-03-1929 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 101: The Private School Teacher Skills Gap with Mike McShaneIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, Mike McShane talks about his new report, The Private School Teacher Skills Gap. He reveals how satisfied teachers were with their preparation, how a number of them are learning on the job and more.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-02-2016 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 100: Fireside Chats With Robert EnlowIn the first episode of Fireside Chats, EdChoice CEO Robert Enlow takes us back to our roots. He discusses the Friedman legacy and the importance of EdChoice's vision.
For more, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-02-1915 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 99: School Survey Series - Exploring West Virginia's Private Education SectorEdChoice's Drew Catt talks with Garrett Ballengee, Cardinal Institute's executive director, about lack of school choice options in West Virginia. Our new study with the Cardinal Institute shows the state's existing private schools would be open to participating and have thousands of open seats to spare.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-02-1512 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 98: The Monthly Debrief - January Looking to February 2019In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states. They talk about everything from a three-day hearing in West Virginia to making friends with sheep in New Hampshire.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-02-1534 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 97: Researcher Profile - Emily CoadyEmily Coady is a doctoral academy fellow and graduate research assistant in the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. She speaks with EdChoice Research Assistant Mike Shaw about how her experience as a fifth grade teacher and regional director for Teach For America Louisiana Delta led her to study education reform.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2019-02-0537 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 94: Our 2019 School Choice Yearbook SuperlativesIn this podcast, the EdChoice team got together to announce our annual yearbook superlatives, such as Most Inspiring, Biggest Setback and Most Likely to Succeed in 2019.
Learn more about school choice programs across America at www.edchoice.org.2019-01-2548 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 93: Legal Updates with Leslie - FL, ME, MT, NM and TNIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner chats with Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner about recent school choice litigation across the country, including an update on the Montana tax-credit scholarship case.
Learn more about school choice programs across America at www.edchoice.org.2019-01-2221 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 92: The Monthly Debrief - December 2018 Looking to January 2019In this episode of EdChoice Chats, our state team updates you on the latest happenings at the end of 2018 and looking into the start of 2019.
For more information, check out www.edchoice.org.2019-01-1522 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 91: Research Profiler With James ShulsIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of Fiscal Policy and Analysis Marty Lueken interviews James Shuls, a school choice researcher and EdChoice fellow about what brought him to school choice and his current research.
Learn more about the original research EdChoice publishes on our website at https://www.edchoice.org/what-we-do/research/.2019-01-1524 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 90: School Choice in Pop Culture – Yes, Prime MinisterIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO Robert Enlow and our Director of Policy Jason Bedrick discuss one iconic episode of the BBCs Yes, Prime Minister which is about pure school choice policy and government. The same key messages from opponents and proponents of school choice today seem to have been just as prevalent in the ‘80s (though perhaps more eloquently said back then). They hit on all of them in their discussion. Listen up!
Learn more about school choice at www.edchoice.org.2018-12-1843 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 89: A School Choice Family’s Story - Ola AlayandeIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, Florida mother and school choice advocate Olasumbo “Ola” Alayande shares her experience using Florida’s tax-credit scholarship program for five of her seven children.
Learn more about school choice options in the states at www.edchoice.org.2018-12-1722 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 88: The Monthly Debrief - November Looking to December 2018In this Monthly Debrief podcast, we take a break from our normal format to hear from our Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner about an IRS rule that could have a negative effect on tax-credit scholarship programs across the country. Leslie chats with Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier about the rule and what EdChoice is doing about it.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-12-1123 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 72: Hope We Didn't Have Before - A School Choice Family's StoryIn today’s EdChoice Chat, our CRM and Email Marketing Manager Abby Hayes chats with Jenny Clark about her family’s experience with Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, the nation’s oldest education savings account (ESA) program. She talks about her sons’ specific challenges and how the ESA is helping them thrive.
Learn more at www.edchoice.org.2018-11-2719 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 71:The Monthly Debrief - October Looking to November 2018In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice's Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier and Director of Policy Jason Bedrick discuss the latest school choice happenings in the state, especially how November's mid-term elections might affect school choice in the states.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org. You can also get our full review of the state of the states on school choice 2018-11-2027 min
EdChoice ChatsEp. 70: Researcher Profile - Grant ClaytonIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of State Research and Special Projects Drew Catt talks with Assistant Professor of Teaching and Learning Grant Clayton at the University of Colorado about his journey from K–12 teacher to administrator to professor and researcher and his mission to “blow up” the way teachers-in-training think about schooling and the classroom.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-11-0629 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 68: The Monthly Debrief – September Looking to October 2018In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge and Director of Policy Jason Bedrick discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states in September and look forward to what’s still to come as we close out the month.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org2018-10-2325 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 71: Cool Schools | Build UPIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, Mike McShane talks with the founder of Build UP, a new school launching in 2019 in Ensley, Alabama. In the podcast, Mark Martin shares his ambitious vision to help his students solve some of their core poverty-related problems.
To learn more, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-10-1637 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 70: School Choice in Pop Culture - Harry PotterIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, two hardcore Harry Potter fans—our President and CEO Robert Enlow and our CRM and Email Marketing Manager Abby Hayes—get creative discussing the educational themes in one of the most beloved book and movie series of all time. Check it out!
Learn more about school choice at www.edchoice.org.2018-10-0931 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 67: Fiscal Effects of School Vouchers - A New Study by Marty LuekenTo download the full report, visit www.edchoice.org/VoucherFiscalEffects.
In our new study, EdChoice’s Director of Fiscal Policy and Analysis Marty Lueken examined the fiscal impact of voucher programs in Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia—from their inception through FY 2015—to determine whether they generated costs or savings for state and local taxpayers. So do school vouchers cost us more money, or do they actually save money while educating the same number of kids. Find out by listening to this podcast with the researcher himself.2018-09-2012 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 66: School Choice in Pop Culture - ParenthoodIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, we bring you a breakdown of school choice-related themes in the popular NBC television show Parenthood. This is the second in our School Choice in Pop Culture series. To listen to more, view our uploads or subscribe to our pop culture playlist to always get notifications of new episodes.
To learn more about our research and our work, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-09-1144 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 65: The Monthly Debrief – August Looking to September 2018In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states in August and look forward to what’s still to come as we close out September 2018.
Learn more on our website at www.edchoice.org.2018-09-1121 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 64: Researcher Profile - Corey DeAngelisIn today’s EdChoice Chat, our own Director of Fiscal Policy and Analysis Marty Lueken talks with Cato Institute Policy Analyst Corey DeAngelis about what drew him to school choice, his educational career and his upcoming research.
For more information, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-08-2823 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 63: Indiana's Schooling Deserts with Drew Catt, Mike Shaw & Robert EnlowOur Director of State Research and Special Projects Drew Catt and Research Assistant Mike Shaw join up with our President and CEO Robert Enlow to talk about a new EdChoice research report. Catt and Shaw, the authors Indiana’s Schooling Deserts—our latest report—used Geographic Information System software to map Hoosier families’ drive times to traditional public, magnet, charter and voucher-participating private schools. That first-of-its-kind mapping allowed us to identify where three kinds of “schooling deserts” exist. Listen to learn more about them.
For more resources related to this report, visit www.edchoice.org/blog/new-analysis-maps-k-12-schooling-deserts-in-choice-rich-indiana/2018-08-2229 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 62: The Monthly Debrief – July Looking to August 2018In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states in July and look forward to what’s still to come as we close out August 2018.
Learn more on our website at www.edchoice.org.2018-08-2122 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 61: Cool Schools | Good Shepherd Nativity Mission SchoolIn today’s EdChoice Chat, Director of National Research Mike McShane talks with Thomas Moran, Jr., the president and CEO of a growing Catholic school in inner-city New Orleans. They talk about how the school started and is growing, how they manage to keep tuition free and what they’re doing to close achievement gaps.
To learn more, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-08-1438 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 60: Legal Updates with Leslie - Janus, Florida and Puerto RicoIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner chats with Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner about several court cases, including the U.S. Supreme Court Janus v. ASFCME case and an ongoing case about Florida’s school choice programs.
To learn more, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-08-0727 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 56: School Choice in Pop Culture – The West WingWe are excited to kick off this new series—School Choice in Pop Culture—where different members of our team chat about how school choice is represented in popular TV shows and movies. In this episode, two fans of The West Wing, our Director of National Research Mike McShane and our CRM and Email Marketing Manager Abby Hayes, discuss four clips from the popular early-2000s television series. In the show, the U.S. president, his staff and the District of Columbia’s mayor are debating whether to enact a pilot school voucher program in D.C. Listen to them chat a...2018-07-1029 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 54: NH Private School Survey with Drew Catt & Jason BedrickOur latest brief, which compiles the results of a survey of New Hampshire Private Schools, had some results that surprised even EdChoice Director of Policy and former New Hampshire legislator Jason Bedrick. Listen to the team’s discussion of the results here.
To learn more about educational choice, visit www.edchoice.org2018-06-2521 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 53: Fiscal Issues in LA Unified with Lisa SnellIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of Fiscal Policy Dr. Marty Lueken talks with Lisa Snell, education director at the Reason Foundation, about a report she coauthored that examines the fiscal outlook of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Short story: It’s not a sunny picture. Listen to hear Marty and Lisa discuss how LA Unified’s trouble is similar to that of other districts in the United States and how school choice could be part of the solution.
To learn more about school choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-06-2032 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 52: The Monthly Debrief – May Looking to June 2018In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier break down the legislative movement of private educational choice bills in the states in May and look forward to what’s to come in June.
Learn more on our website at www.edchoice.org2018-06-1206 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 51: Researcher Profile with Greg ForsterIn today’s EdChoice Chat, Drew Catt talks with Dr. Greg Forster, an EdChoice Friedman Fellow, about why he joined the school choice movement, what challenges he sees for the future of the movement and more.
To learn more about school choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-06-0535 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 49: Rethinking Regulation with Mike McShaneIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of State Research and Special Projects Drew Catt discusses our newest research with the author and EdChoice’s Director of National Research Mike McShane. The new report is called "Rethinking Regulation," and in it, McShane posits a four-step solution to optimizing how we regulate schools and education providers in K–12 education. The goal is to free up our public schools of excessive red tape that hinders their work educating kids and to protect non-public schooling providers from that same excessive red tape. Listen to learn more.
To download the full report, visit our...2018-05-2317 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 48: The Monthly Debrief – April Looking to May 2018In this episode of The Monthly Debrief, the EdChoice state programs team talks about legislation and policy updates that happened in the states in April and what we can expect through the end of May.
If you want to stay updated on this series, be sure to subscribe to our podcast. For more school choice information, visit www.edchoice.org. For realtime tweets on legislative developments related to school choice, follow us on Twitter @EdChoice.2018-05-1517 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 47: Cool Schools | Regina Caeli AcademyIn today’s Cool Schools edition of EdChoice Chats, Mike McShane interviews Kari Beckman. Fifteen years ago, she began homeschooling her own kids but felt like something was missing. So, she founded Regina Caeli Academies, which support parents’ homeschooling efforts with two in-classroom days of classical education.
To learn more about educational choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-05-0129 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 46: Cool Schools | Urban PrepIn today’s Cool Schools episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of National Research Mike McShane talks with Pastor Wade Moore, the founder of Urban Prep. Pastor Moore describes how he started the school and how it’s overcome many challenges in its first four years of operating.
To learn more about educational choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-04-2426 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 45: The Monthly Debrief – March Looking to April 2018This episode of EdChoice Chats is our monthly state team debrief. In it, Senior Director of State Relations Michael Chartier talks with Policy Director Jason Bedrick about what’s going on in their states. Then they introduce a surprise new guest.
To learn more about educational choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-04-1708 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 44: Cool Schools | Seton Education PartnersIn today’s Cool Schools episode of EdChoice Chats, Mike McShane chats with Stephanie Saroki de Garcia, co-founder of Seton Education Partners. Her job is to fill in gaps for Catholic schools across several cities by helping them improve school culture and implement successful blended learning programs. Seton also runs several secular charter schools with optional faith-based programming.
To learn more about EdChoice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-04-1028 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 43: An Update on Montana’s Tax-Credit Scholarship CaseIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner interviews Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner about Montana’s Espinoza v. Department of Revenue case, which involves the state’s tax-credit scholarship program. Leslie talks about why this case is so important and what it could mean for school choice programs around the country.
To learn more about school choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-04-0311 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 42: Cool Schools | Acton AcademiesIn today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, we continue our Cool Schools series with an interview with Acton Academies Co-Founder Jeff Sandefer. He talks about how his family started Acton Academies and what their innovative model of education looks like in the classroom.
To learn more about educational choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-03-2727 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 41: Public School Choice Research with Christine Campbell & Georgia HeywardIn today’s EdChoice Chat, our Director of State Research and Policy Analysis Drew Catt talks with two researchers from the Center on Reinventing Public Education, Georgia Heyward and Christine Campbell. They talk about their new report, Stepping Up: How Are American Cities Delivering on the Promise of Public School Choice.
To read the report, visit https://www.crpe.org/publications/stepping-up-american-cities-public-school-choice. To learn more about EdChoice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-03-2039 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 40: The Monthly Debrief – February Looking to March 2018This episode of EdChoice Chats is our monthly state update for February. Get the insider’s scoop on what’s happening with school choice legislation in states across the nation, and get a look into how legislatures work.
Learn more at www.edchoice.org.2018-03-1621 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 37: New SC Private School Survey with Shaunette ParkerIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, Shaunette Parker, executive director of My South Carolina Education, joins us on the show to talk about a new private school survey report with one of the report’s co-authors, EdChoice Director of State Research and Policy Analysis Drew Catt. They delve into common arguments for and against school choice locally, concerns parents and private school leaders have about choice programs and, of course, what the data say about it all.
To download this brief, visit www.edchoice.org/SCSchoolSurvey.2018-02-2810 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 29: 2018 National School Choice Week with Andrew CampanellaToday on EdChoice Chats, we’re listening in on a conversation between EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow and his friend Andrew Campanella, the president of National School Choice Week. They talk about how National School Choice Week got started, how it has grown and what it means for the school choice movement.
To learn more about school choice, visit www.edchoice.org.2018-01-2313 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 27: Urban Sprawl, the Environment and School Choice with Bart DanielsenIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of State Research and Policy Analysis Drew Catt talks with Dr. Bartley Danielsen, the author of a three-part blog series on concentrated poverty, pollution, urban blight and gentrification and how school choice could fit into the overall solution. They discuss what inspired this research, what the data say and more. Click below to listen, and be sure to check out all of the posts in this fascinating series.
1. Could We Solve Poverty and Pollution with School Choice? https://www.edchoice.org/blog/solve-poverty-pollution-school-choice/
2. Why Do Experts Disagree on How to Approach Concentrated...2018-01-1125 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 25: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going? with Robert EnlowIn this podcast episode, EdChoice Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner chats with President and CEO Robert Enlow about the year behind and the year ahead. They discuss the major school choice events of 2017, including Arizona’s education savings account (ESA) expansion and EdChoice’s own rebrand. Then they dive into what we expect and hope for in 2018, as we continue our mission to advance educational opportunity for all Americans.
To learn more about EdChoice, visit our website at www.edchoice.org.2017-12-1811 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 24: Behind the Scenes with EdChoice’s Research TeamA few members of the EdChoice research team jumped in the studio to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about (you guessed it) our research. Listen now to learn more—from the services we provide the states to how we respond to critics of our work.2017-12-1520 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 23: Legal Defense and Education Center with Leslie HinerOur Vice President of Communications (and a lawyer in her own right) Jennifer Wagner sits down with our Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner to introduce EdChoice's new Legal Defense and Education Center, or LDEC. Learn why we developed this new center and what type of work we'll be doing to help protect educational choice programs across America in this episode.
For more information about EdChoice, visit www.edchoice.org.2017-12-0808 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 14: IL’s New School Choice Program with Jason Bedrick & Robert EnlowIn this installment of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO Robert Enlow talks with Director of Policy Jason Bedrick to get the details on Illinois’s new tax-credit scholarship program—the Invest in Kids Program. They first cover how the program works and who it serves. Then, they dive into the politics of passing a school choice program in such a tough state. They also discuss the program’s weaknesses and our hopes for its future, in spite of those weaknesses.
For more information about school choice in America, visit https://www.edchoice.org. To learn more about the Illinois tax-cr...2017-09-1216 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 12: Race, Segregation and School Choice with Robert EnlowIn our latest podcast, our Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner joins EdChoice President and CEO Robert Enlow in a frank dialogue about issues of race and segregation in K–12 education, how school choice fits into the puzzle and whether your personal politics should matter more than your personal philosophies. Listen now!
Learn more about EdChoice, the organization, at https://www.edchoice.org/.2017-08-2915 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 11: The Threat to Arizona ESAs with Jason BedrickIn this installment of EdChoice Chats, our President and CEO Robert Enlow taps Arizona resident and EdChoice Director of Policy Jason Bedrick for a rundown of what’s going on in Arizona right now. Arizona has been a pioneer state in the school choice movement in many ways, and this year they expanded their education savings account (ESA) program to nearly every K–12 student. That expansion is now under threat. Listen to find out who’s behind it, why they’re attacking the program, the latest developments and what advocates of this incredible program are doing to fight back.
Learn more at...2017-08-1711 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 10: How Regs Hurt Kids with Special Needs with Jennifer BurgessIn this episode of EdChoice Chats, Jennifer Burgess, a Georgia mother of two who's fighting for educational options for her 4- and 5-year-old sons John and Joseph, joins EdChoice Marketing Coordinator Abby Hayes, also a mother of two, to discuss—from a parent’s perspective—the strengths and weaknesses of our current public education system when it comes to serving students with special needs.
Learn more at www.edchoice.org.2017-07-2522 min
EdChoice ChatsEp 7: Where We Stand on Federal Education Reform Policy with Robert EnlowIn this episode, our Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner is joined by our guest EdChoice CEO and President Robert Enlow to discuss what's going on in federal education reform policy and where EdChoice stands. Listen to learn more.
Learn more about school choice and to access our library of research and data at www.edchoice.org.2017-06-2126 min