Policy Changes Lives, an ExcelinEd podcast

Couldn’t make it to the 2025 National Summit on Education—or just couldn’t be in three strategy sessions at once? In this special bonus episode, host Dr. Cara Candal pulls together some of the most important ideas, quotes and policy takeaways from across the Summit’s strategy sessions and mainstage conversations. Across three days, state leaders, practitioners and advocates dug into the big questions driving education policy right now: How do we close achievement gaps in reading and math? What does real college and career readiness look like? How should states rethink funding, school choice, civics, and digital learning for a new generation of students? Cara takes you behind the scenes, weaving together clips from multiple sessions and connecting them to the practical realities facing governors, legislators and state agencies in the year ahead. To listen to the full 2025 ExcelinEd National Summit on Education strategy session audios as well as our keynotes from the main stage, visit our YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj48WE9RS6E&list=PLamKh0vaiRJOqVYjpgynniKnpJ5bjJ3rh Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook  ExcelinEd on LinkedIn 

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, ExcelinEd’s Founder, Chairman and 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush takes the main stage with President and CEO of the Daniels Fund Hanna Skandera to open the 17th annual National Summit on Education in New Orleans with a powerful conversation on the future of learning, leadership and opportunity in America. Reflecting on lessons from two decades of education reform and leadership through crises, Gov. Bush shares his vision for helping every student succeed through proven, student-centered policies that close learning gaps, expand parental choice and strengthen pathways to in-demand careers. The conversation touches on key themes from this year’s Summit—from rebuilding trust in higher education and addressing digital distraction in schools to balancing innovation in artificial intelligence with safeguards that protect children and preserve great teaching. Gov. Bush also reflects on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and how Louisiana leaders transformed a moment of devastation into an education renaissance. His candid Q&A sets the stage for two days of action-oriented discussions, challenging policymakers to “go big and be bold” in tackling today’s toughest education challenges. Listeners will leave inspired to reimagine education policy, recommit to the fundamentals of reading and math and build a future where every child has the chance to thrive. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook  ExcelinEd on LinkedIn 

High school has long centered on traditional courses like biology, civics and earth science—subjects chosen because every student needs a foundation in how their bodies, their government and their world work. But in 2025 and beyond, the demands on graduates are rapidly shifting. In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, co-hosts Adriana Harrington and Lindsey Henderson sit down with Liz Cohen, Vice President of Policy at 50CAN, to explore how high school requirements must evolve to better prepare students for college, careers and life. From financial literacy and computer science to data science, digital safety and modern math pathways, the conversation digs into the policies and practices that can ensure all students leave high school ready for an increasingly complex and technology-driven world and how these additions reflect a shift toward preparing students for real-world success.  Liz brings insights from her nearly two decades of work in education policy, as well as her research on tutoring, learning recovery and the future of personalized learning. The takeaway is clear: math and data science are no longer optional add-ons—they are the bridge between college readiness and career readiness, equipping students with the skills they’ll need to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world. Together, Adriana, Lindsey and Liz ask a bold question: What does every student truly need to know before they graduate? This discussion challenges policymakers, educators and families alike to rethink high school for the next generation—and to build a system that equips students not just with knowledge, but with the skills to thrive.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook  ExcelinEd on LinkedIn 

What happens after students graduate high school? Do the pathways we’ve built truly prepare them for success in college, careers and life? In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Nathan Oakley sits down with Dr. Ken Warden, Commissioner of the Arkansas Division of Higher Education, to explore how states are answering these critical questions with data-driven solutions. Together, they discuss how Arkansas is leading with its return-on-investment analysis of college and career programs. The conversation highlights the power of data not just to measure outcomes but to guide real action—helping policymakers, schools and communities create stronger, more effective pathways for students. Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how data can shine a light on what works, where gaps remain and how states can better prepare students for the opportunities that await them beyond high school. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook  ExcelinEd on LinkedIn 

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Adriana Harrington sits down with South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver to discuss the state’s efforts to create distraction-free classrooms. In 2024, South Carolina became one of the first states in the nation to include a cell phone provision in its budget, requiring districts to prohibit the use of personal communication devices—like phones, smartwatches, tablets and gaming devices—during the school day. Superintendent Weaver shares the reasoning behind this bold step, the early impact on students and educators and the challenges and successes schools have experienced in the rollout. From improving focus and academic performance to addressing student well-being, South Carolina’s policy is sparking national conversations about the role of technology in learning. Listeners will gain practical insights into how schools are adapting, how families are responding and what may be next as policymakers consider making this approach permanent. The episode highlights why limiting digital distractions isn’t just a discipline issue but a key part of supporting student success and preparing schools for the future. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook  ExcelinEd on LinkedIn 

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Justine Morina sits down with Meagan Comb, Executive Director of the Wheelock Educational Policy Center at Boston University, to unpack one of the most urgent questions in education: How do we ensure every student has a well-prepared, effective teacher? Together, they explore how states are rethinking teacher preparation as part of broader efforts to boost literacy and math outcomes. From Louisiana’s bold math teacher training requirements to Colorado’s flexible licensure pathways and Arkansas’ sweeping LEARNS Act reforms, the conversation highlights concrete examples of how smart policy can strengthen teacher pipelines, address shortages and ultimately improve student achievement. Listeners will walk away with practical lessons from leading states about the critical skills teachers need most, the role of data and evidence in evaluating preparation programs and strategies for recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented educator workforce. This episode offers both inspiration and practical takeaways for policymakers and advocates committed to ensuring every child has access to great teaching and a well-prepared, effective teacher. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook  ExcelinEd on LinkedIn 

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Christy Hovanetz sits down with longtime education leader (and ExcelinEd board member) Chris Cerf to examine one of the most pressing issues in American education: the “honesty gap.”  Too often, states report student performance in ways that mask real challenges, leaving parents and educators with an inaccurate picture of whether students are truly on track. Christy and Chris dig into why this matters, how school accountability has evolved over the past few decades and what states can do to ensure honesty and transparency in measuring student success. Drawing on Chris’s experience as New Jersey’s Commissioner of Education, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools and a key leader in New York City’s Department of Education, the conversation explores the policies and practices that have moved the needle on student outcomes—and the consequences when states fail to hold schools accountable. Together, they highlight examples of states that have succeeded, unpack the role of state assessments and consider how accountability can advance meaningful change by maintaining high expectations for all students. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of why strong accountability systems are not about punishment, but about creating trust, driving improvement and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook 

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Ben DeGrow sits down with Keith Jacobs, Director of Provider Development at Step Up for Students, to discuss a groundbreaking expansion for parental choice in Florida. Long known for leading the way in private school choice, Florida is pioneering a new policy that enables and engages public schools and districts to serve as education scholarship account (ESA) providers. This means families using ESAs can purchase individual public school classes, extracurriculars or specialized programs — blending the best of private customization with public school offerings. Drawing on his experience as both a longtime educator and an advocate for parental choice, Jacobs explains how this policy is reshaping the relationship between families and public schools. Instead of being sidelined by choice programs, districts can now actively compete and collaborate by offering courses and services that meet family needs. Tune in as we explain how the Sunshine state is expanding the reach of ESAs to include district programs and reimagining the role of public education in a choice-driven marketplace. This episode promises to highlight the potential impacts on students, schools and communities by offering a glimpse into how traditional and new providers can work together to better serve every child. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook