Podcast

Having Better Conversations

We live in a time of continual conversation…constant talking…perpetual noise. The same news stories are repeated several times an hour by multiple news sources, each telling their own versions of everything from celebrity gossip and political drama to trade embargoes and tips for holiday shopping. The lines between fact and opinion are getting as blurry…

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And the Pursuit of…what’s that word again?​

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established our nation’s first incorporated territory and the structure that would govern and guide it going forward. It’s referenced in a variety of contexts and capacities to speak both to the purpose of government and to the systems and standards that make it work. As previously discussed here on Education…

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Government = Good?

Building a Good Government The Northwest Ordinance of 1787— which established our nation’s first incorporated territory and the structure that would govern and guide it — speaks both to the purpose of government and to the systems and standards that will make it effective. It speaks to the philosophy of government in the acquisition of…

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What’s Your Bias?

What’s Your Bias?   Is it possible to have a view of the world – and of education in America – that’s shaped by something bigger than the world around us? Are any of us unbiased in our perspectives on what the right path forward should be?   The obvious answer is “No.” Nobody is unbiased….

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Adversary Culture in the 21st Century

Understanding the language, the culture, the movements, and the conversations that surround us In last week’s episode of Education America, we welcomed back to the show a frequent guest, who, as it has turned out, also is one of our favorites. Katherine Kersten has been a lifelong contributor to good conversations with both a depth…

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Patriotism: What it is, what it isn’t, and whether it’s still a good thing

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “American Exceptionalism.” It used to be said much more, and its meaning used to be much more understood. It does not mean “American Superiority.” In other words, it’s not saying America is intrinsically supreme over all other nations — in the eyes of God or even in our own eyes…

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A Bigger and Better Discussion about Success

Our definitions of success and standards for goodness and beauty seem to be constantly shifting — and even spiraling — in our culture. On one hand, these shifts are a result of plummeting values that are permeating almost every other area of life. When urinals on a wall can be called art and when an…

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Better Ideas for Education

School Choice, Political Agendas, and Saving the Classroom Politics and Education. In each, one general principle seems to hold fast: It’s easier to know what people are against than what they’re for. People don’t speak out in favor of what they determine to be a good idea often enough. They’re much more likely to speak…

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