Policy Changes Lives, an ExcelinEd podcast

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Quentin Suffren explores the growing movement among state policymakers to ensure that high school graduates are not only prepared for college but also equipped with the skills needed for the workforce.  Quentin sits down with Taylor White, Director of Postsecondary Pathways for Youth at New America, to talk about youth apprenticeships and the Partnership to Advance Youth Apprenticeship (PAYA) initiative. They’ll discuss the states that are leading early adopters of these programs, the challenges they face and student successes so far.  Tune in to learn more about youth apprenticeships and the important and growing role they’ll play as states seek to better connect the K-12 education system to postsecondary opportunities and the workforce. 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 Sonya Yates sits down with Dr. Jan Hasbrouck, a renowned dyslexia expert, author, researcher and educational consultant for a special episode to celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Month.  Host Sonya Yates and Dr. Hasbrouck discuss the long-term impact of dyslexia on students and states, especially when students don't receive the necessary supports and interventions. The episode highlights how early screening, high-quality instructional materials, and evidence-based interventions can transform the educational experience for students with dyslexia, setting them on a path to success. They will also discuss how states and schools are responding to the latest policy trends in early literacy, the importance of understanding the research behind these approaches and how they can be implemented effectively to support students with dyslexia. Finally, the conversation will touch on the critical role that parents play in advocating for their children’s reading journeys and the best ways they can get involved. Tune in as these experts demystify dyslexia and the policies and practices that can help students become confident, capable readers. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook 

In this episode, host Lindsey Henderson investigates with Adam Ezring, Deputy Director of the Collaborative for Student Success the urgent issue of declining math performance across the nation and the innovative policies that have the potential to reverse this alarming trend.  After highlighting the critical challenges that have led to a national math crisis, Lindsey and Adam discuss the importance of implementing policies that prioritize rigorous standards, accountability and evidence-based instructional practices to ensure students are prepared for college and career success. Additionally, this episode will dive deeper into the emerging concept of auto-enrollment in advanced math courses, a policy designed to automatically place eligible students into higher-level math classes. This approach can help close achievement gaps by ensuring that more students, especially those from underserved communities, have access to challenging coursework that sets them up for future success.  Tune in as we showcase which states are pioneering forward-thinking policies and explain why innovative math practices are critical to turning around math outcomes for students nationwide.  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 Matthew Joseph hops on the mic. Matthew serves as Senior Policy Advisor at ExcelinEd, where he focuses on helping states improve education through the strategic use of resources and funding.   This week, we welcome David Mansouri, CEO and President of Tennessee SCORE, to discuss the transformative potential of student-centered education funding. Together, these two will share insights into Tennessee’s journey toward implementing a funding model that prioritizes higher-need students, ensuring that resources are allocated more equitably across the state. They’ll also highlight the benefits of this approach and how other states might follow suit. Tune in and be sure to subscribe! 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 and ExcelinEd Vice President of Policy Cara Candal chats with North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt to explore teacher recruitment and retention.   As schools nationwide grapple with keeping classrooms staffed with qualified educators, Superintendent Truitt shares her insights on the challenges facing North Carolina’s teaching workforce and the innovative strategies she has championed to address these issues. This discussion will highlight the significant impact of policies aimed at supporting teachers, the role of alternative certification routes, team teaching and more. Catherine also reflects on her tenure and offers advice for states facing similar challenges. Tune in as we delve deeper into the ongoing efforts to improve teacher policies and strengthen the teacher pipeline across America. Remember to subscribe and join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook 

In this episode, we are excited to look behind the curtain in Indiana as dedicated folks break ground on the state’s new Career Scholarship Accounts program. CSAs help students cover costs for a range of training and internship experiences as well as the costs associated with completing them, such as supplies and transportation. It's a fascinating program that begins to tackle the challenges many students and schools face while making these work-based learning opportunities a reality. It’s worth noting that Indiana has added CSAs to their comprehensive approach to supporting high-quality learner pathways. The Hoosier state is known for undertaking systemic work, such as aligning the K-12 and postsecondary education systems, working to ensure career and technical education programs are high-quality (Next Level!), and sharing outcomes data with students and families through the state’s Graduates Prepared to Succeed Dashboard.  Our resident expert Nathan Oakley and Adriana Harrington touch base with David Buyze, who serves as the Director of Policy and Special Programs for the Indiana Department of Education and executive director of the Indiana State Board of Education, to see how things were going. Listen now, followed by an update and our team’s hot takes. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook 

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, Dr. Kymyona Burk, ExcelinEd’s senior policy fellow specializing in early literacy checks in with Dr. Sara Morrison, who serves as the Executive Director of the Tennessee State Board of Education, about her state’s important work improving students’ reading outcomes.  Dr. Morrison’s roots are in the classroom, where she taught high school English and served as the literacy lead teacher. She has spent more than a decade with the State of Tennessee, working to develop and implement education policies that put students first.   Listen now to that interview, followed by a crucial update on Tennessee’s early literacy progress.  Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook 

In the opening episode of the Policy Changes Lives podcast, hosts Cara Candal and Adriana Harrington investigate the impending public school enrollment drop. Our hosts will be joined by special guest Chad Aldeman who will explain the findings from his recent report, "Interactive: In Many Schools, Declines in Student Enrollment Are Here to Stay," published by The 74. Aldeman brings an extensive background in education policy, having worked with organizations such as the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, Bellwether Education, and the U.S. Department of Education, to provide in-depth analysis and insights on school finance, the teacher labor market and assessment and accountability policy.  Join us as we explore how states are adopting various measures to mitigate the impacts of declining student enrollment, with some leading the way with innovative approaches. Remember to join the conversation on social media.  ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X  ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram    ExcelinEd on Facebook