Episodes

  • Deep Dives: How Alexander Twilight Academy Empowers the Next Generation

    Deep Dives: How Alexander Twilight Academy Empowers the Next Generation
    Dec 12 2024
    In today’s episode of Deep Dives, we’re excited to explore an educational program making a significant impact in Boston: the Alexander Twilight Academy. Named after the first African American college graduate in the U.S., this academy is designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds in Boston achieve their full potential. Ross is joined by Annie Weinberg, the founder and school leader of Twilight Academy, and two of her remarkable students, who share the history and impact of Twilight Academy, their personal journeys, and how ATA has supported their academic and leadership growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Deep Dives: How NYC Is Preparing For This School Year

    Deep Dives: How NYC Is Preparing For This School Year
    Aug 22 2024
    **We want to hear from you! Please fill out this quick survey to provide feedback about our podcasts** As we head into a new school year, schools and families across the country are grappling with significant challenges, from teacher shortages to enrollment fluctuations and the integration of new technologies. Today, we're focusing on these key issues by taking a close look at the largest school district in the nation: New York City. In today’s episode, Jill and Ross are joined by Dan Weisberg, the First Deputy Chancellor for the NYC Department of Education. Dan plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategies under Chancellor David Banks' leadership, overseeing areas like postsecondary readiness, human resources, policy, and enrollment. With his extensive background in labor policy, talent management, and academic strategy, Dan brings a unique perspective to the pressing issues facing schools today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Deep Dives: How Can We Help Kids Navigate the Digital World?

    Deep Dives: How Can We Help Kids Navigate the Digital World?
    Jun 13 2024
    In today’s episode, Jill is joined by Dr. Jill Walsh. She is a sociologist and researcher at Boston University, and specializes in the impact of technology and social media on adolescent development. Dr. Walsh is also the founder of Digital Aged, through which she works with schools and families to give them the tools to help young people navigate the online world. Jill and Dr. Walsh discuss how schools are addressing student relationships with social media and technology and how parents can help students establish healthy relationships with the digital world and set healthy boundaries. If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Walsh’s work, check out the resources below. Dr. Jill Walsh’s Bio Dr. Jill Walsh’s Research Digital Aged Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Deep Dives: What Should Be The Role of Standardized Testing?

    Deep Dives: What Should Be The Role of Standardized Testing?
    May 30 2024
    Standardized testing has long been a cornerstone in educational systems, serving as a tool for measuring student achievement and influencing decisions at every level of schooling. Supporters see standardized tests as essential for maintaining accountability and providing clear metrics for comparison across educational landscapes. However, many have called for moving away from standardized tests, with critics arguing that these tests can reinforce inequality, pressure teachers to "teach to the test," and fail to capture the full scope of student potential. In today’s episode, Jill and Ross are joined by two experts to explore this topic. Harry Feder is the Executive Director of Fair Test, a national organization that advocates for fair and equitable testing practices. Harry brings a wealth of experience in challenging the way tests are used and proposing alternatives. Dr. Martin West is a professor and academic dean at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a board member of the National Assessment Governing Board. Dr. West offers a unique perspective with his extensive research on education policy and his involvement in shaping how assessments are created and implemented. To learn more about Dr West’s research and Harry’s work with Fair Test, check out the resources below. Harry Feder Bio Dr. Martin West Bio Fair Test Research on MCAS in Massachusetts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Deep Dives: How To Get Your Kids Into College

    Deep Dives: How To Get Your Kids Into College
    May 16 2024
    Last week, Jill and Ross hosted a live podcast recording at the University Club in Boston, MA, with College Uncovered co-hosts Jon Marcus and Kirk Carapezza. Jon is a higher education editor for The Hechinger Report, and Kirk is the managing editor and correspondent for higher education at GBH News. Their podcast, College Uncovered, helps families and students navigate higher education and understand the problems and risks in higher education. In this live recording, Jill and Ross talk to Jon and Kirk about the state of higher education and what families need to know in helping their kids get into college. To listen to College Uncovered and read more of Jon and Kirk’s work, check out the resources below. College Uncovered Jon Marcus’s Bio Kirk Carapezza’s Bio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • Deep Dives: Solving for Retention: Is It Time to Modernize the Teaching Profession?

    Deep Dives: Solving for Retention: Is It Time to Modernize the Teaching Profession?
    May 2 2024
    There are over 50,000 teacher vacancies in classrooms across the country, with certain parts of the country seeing large numbers. As the number of individuals enrolled in teacher prep programs has dropped off and more and more teachers are leaving the profession, schools are struggling to keep teachers in the classroom. In today’s episode, Jill and Ross dive into the teaching shortage issue and how to keep teachers in the classroom with two experts: Dr. Tequilla Brownie and Dr. Carole Basile. Dr Tequilla Brownie is the CEO of TNTP, a national organization that works with schools and teachers across the country to advance high quality education for all students by ensuring an effective teacher in every classroom. Dr. Carole Basile is the Dean of the Arizona State Mary Lou Fulton Teachers’ College. Dr Basile is leading efforts at Arizona State focused on redesigning the education workforce and changing practices in teacher and leadership preparation. To learn more about Dr. Brownie’s work with TNTP and Dr. Basile’s work at ASU, check out the resources below. Dr. Tequilla Brownie’s Bio Dr. Carole Basile’s Bio About ASU Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College About TNTP The Widget Effect: Our National Failure to Acknowledge and Act on Differences in Teacher Effectiveness The Irreplaceables: Understanding The Real Retention Crisis in America’s Urban Schools A Broken Pipeline: Teacher Preparation's Diversity Problem One Million Teachers of Color (1MToC) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Deep Dives: Why Can't We Get Multilingual Education Right?

    Deep Dives: Why Can't We Get Multilingual Education Right?
    Apr 18 2024
    According to the National Center for Bilingual Education, by 2030, over 40% of K-12 students in the US will be native language speakers of a language other than english. As this population continues to grow, education experts say that the needs of these students continue to go unmet, with schools struggling to help students learn English while also facilitating learning in their native language. In today’s episode of “Deep Dives,” Jill and Ross are joined by two experts to explore this topic: Maria Brisk and Angélica Infante-Green. Professor Maria Brisk is a renowned expert in bilingual education and language development. Professor Brisk’s research and work have been instrumental in understanding how bilingual students acquire language and how educators can best support a student’s learning journey. Angélica Infante-Green is the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of Rhode Island. Commissioner Infante-Green has spent her career supporting English Language Learners by implementing nationally recognized programs and initiatives to support bilingual learning in New York and Rhode Island. If you’d like to learn more about Professor Brisk and Commissioner Infante-Green’s work, check out the resources below: Commissioner Infante-Green’s Bio Professor Brisk’s Bio Professor Brisk’s Research Rhode Island Blueprint for Multilingual Learners’ Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    27 mins
  • Deep Dives: How To Talk to Your Kids About Social Media

    Deep Dives: How To Talk to Your Kids About Social Media
    Mar 7 2024
    Today's parents and caregivers face the unique challenge of guiding kids through the complexities of social media, trying to ensure a safe and positive experience in the digital landscape. Over the past two decades, social media usage has skyrocketed among kids and teens, and right alongside it, we have seen mental health issues increase at an alarming rate. While legal action against social media companies aims to hold them accountable for their platforms' effects on kids and teens, and research continues to highlight these correlations, there has yet to be a great solution to protect children from the vulnerability they experience on these platforms. It doesn't feel like parents should wait for someone else to solve a problem that exists in so many households across the country. In today’s special episode, Jill talks with Dr. Stuart Ablon, award-winning psychologist, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Founder and Director of Think:Kids at Massachusetts General Hospital. Jill talks to Dr. Ablon about his approach and how it can be used to have a productive conversation with your kids to talk about social media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    57 mins