ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights

Tune in to this episode of Statehouse Spotlights as we delve into the critical topic of adolescent literacy during National Reading Month.  

Hosts Tom Greene and Ashley Mullins will address the concerning social media trends among teachers, who are expressing frustration about the reading levels of their students, pose essential questions about how such literacy gaps could have developed, and highlight the role of pandemic-related school closures on the problem. 

We're excited to have Virginia Delegate Carrie Coyner and Indiana Senator Jeff Raatz on the show to share more about their work leading the charge to improve adolescent literacy post-pandemic. 

Join us as they highlight the significance of early intervention, personalized support and access to resources to address literacy challenges effectively, ensuring all students have the foundational skills needed for academic success and lifelong learning. 

If you’d like to listen to our previous episodes on early literacy, you can find them at the links below. Make sure to also visit www.earlyliteracymatters.org to learn more about what makes up an evidence-based comprehensive early literacy policy. 

• Early literacy bipartisanship on the rise - ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights | Acast 
• How smart policymakers handle struggling third-grade readers - ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights | Acast 

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Welcome to Statehouse Spotlights, your go-to podcast for the latest in education news across the country. In this episode, we’ll take you on a journey through the 2024 Florida legislative session, offering an inside look at the key developments shaping K-12 education in the Sunshine State.  

From budgets to hot-button education issues, hosts Ashley Mullins and Nathan Hoffman explore the wins and challenges encountered during this pivotal session, where the Florida legislature considered more than 100 education policy proposals.  

Florida is a state many others look to to lead on K-12 education policy. Tune in to learn everything you need to know about how the 2024 Florida legislative session will transform education. 

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In this episode of Statehouse Spotlights, we discuss why rural communities should embrace school choice. 

Hosts Tom Greene and Ashley Mullins will give an overview of the significant growth of school choice programs, particularly since the pandemic, and the challenges faced by rural policymakers and communities regarding these programs. 

They are joined by Jordan Zakery, ExcelinEd in Action’s legislative director in the Midwest, as he addresses common concerns raised by opponents of school choice in rural communities and emphasizes the importance of understanding the principles behind school choice and its benefits. 

Together, they will examine evidence from states with robust education choice programs and highlight success stories and examples of how school choice programs have positively impacted rural communities 

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In today’s episode of Statehouse Spotlights, we delve into third-grade retention policies. Why are they so crucial for struggling readers? Why do some people oppose them despite all of the positive evidence? How have we seen states implement them as part of a successful comprehensive early literacy policy? And where are we seeing legislation advancing in the states right now? 

After sharing the weekly state action highlights, hosts Tom Greene, Ashley Mullins and our regional advocacy director for the Southeast, Miranda Williams, take a deep dive into the role of third grade reading proficiency as a critical milestone in a child's educational journey.  

Tune into Statehouse Spotlights as we address how such third-grade retention laws can play a crucial role in promoting academic success and ensuring that all students can thrive beyond the schoolhouse.  

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In today's episode of Statehouse Spotlights, we delve into the unsettling but surmountable trend of states attempting to roll back good education policies. Despite research indicating their effectiveness, these policies – ranging from early literacy to private education choice and accountability – sometimes come under threat.  

Hosts Ashley Mullins and Marcos Lopez explore recent legislative attempts in various states, such as Arizona’s “Backtrack Trio" of bills. But it’s not all bad news! They delve into success stories from states that were able to protect against legislative rollbacks.  

Tune into Statehouse Spotlights as we discuss the fight to preserve and strengthen good education policies through the power of informed advocacy and public engagement for the betterment of our students and the future of education. 

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Join us for an enlightening Statehouse Spotlights podcast episode as we dive into the critical topic of private vs. public school accountability.  

In 2023, we witnessed a surge of education choice program expansions across the nation, with states like Arizona leading the charge in adopting universal or near-universal parental choice programs a couple years before. However, with this wave of educational freedom comes a pressing question: How are private schools being held accountable for the public funds they receive through parental choice programs like education scholarship accounts (ESAs)?  

Critics often raise concerns about the accountability of private schools compared to their public counterparts, who face standardized testing and state-mandated performance evaluations among other regulations. Yet, proponents of private education argue that accountability exists in different forms for private schools.  

In this episode, hosts Tom Greene and Ashley Mullins along with ExcelinEd in Action Executive Director Patricia Levesque tackle the nuanced debate surrounding accountability measures for public, charter and private schools. From the metrics that matter to the consequences for underperforming schools, we explore the complexities of accountability in education. 

Tune in as we examine standout states leading the way in accountability measures and delve into recent legislative attempts to weaken accountability standards, such as in Florida. Join us as we unravel the layers of this critical issue and seek to find common ground amidst differing perspectives. 

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Welcome to Statehouse Spotlights. Step into the urgent conversation surrounding math education in America as we dissect the latest revelations from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) math exam results in this eye-opening podcast episode.  

Despite some improvement on pandemic's disruptive impact on education, our hosts Tom Greene and Ashley Mullins explore why American students continue to persistently lag behind global competitors in math education. 

We're excited to have Indiana House Education Committee Chairman Bob Behning, who is leading the charge in his state to address this critical issue, and our own Legislative Director for the Great Lakes region Evan Eagleson join us for that discussion. 

Tune in as we explore the strategies and solutions needed to navigate this critical crisis and showcase how a comprehensive approach to math policy can serve as a model for all other leaders looking to reimagine learning and support a math-ready generation that is prepared for the challenges of the 21st century.    

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Welcome back to Statehouse Spotlights, your inside look at education legislation trends. ExcelinEd in Action hosts Tom Greene and Ashley Mullins bring you the latest state actions, from school choice to AI in education. Then, they unravel a bipartisan breakthrough we’re seeing thanks to science-backed early literacy policies and the urgent need to address the alarming fact that two-thirds of fourth graders are struggle with reading.  

Tom and Ashley delve into challenges, from funding issues to debates over local control, providing a succinct yet insightful overview. Join them on this journey through the complexities of early literacy legislation, where the goal is a brighter future for every child.  

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Welcome to Statehouse Spotlights, your go-to podcast for the latest in education news across the country. In this episode, we're diving into the significant shift toward school choice, celebrating National School Choice Week. From charter schools to education scholarship accounts (ESAs), we explore the record number of states embracing expansive education options. 

Hosts Tom Green and Ashley Mullins define school choice and discuss legislative highlights from the past week, including Indiana's focus on strengthening early literacy and Virginia's efforts to enhance dual enrollment opportunities. 

The episode showcases governors leading the charge for school choice, from Gov. Kay Ivey's vision for Alabama to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp's call for an all-encompassing approach. Leaders in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas are also championing bold school choice proposals. 

Join us in this informative and engaging discussion on empowering families with educational freedom. Happy School Choice Week! 

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How do you feel about banning cell phones in the classroom? Young children's access to social media? In Episode 2 of the ExcelinEd in Action Statehouse Spotlights, where policy meets advocacy, our hosts share how the states are tackling social media and smartphones in schools this legislative session.  

With insights from ExcelinEd in Action’s senior legislative director for Florida, Nathan Hoffman, and legislative director for the Great Lakes region, Evan Eagleson—hosts Tom Greene and Ashley Mullins explore the pros and cons of banning cell phones to foster a focused learning environment.  

Links to resources from the episode: 

Alabama eyes limiting student use of cell phones at school - al.com 

Utah Governor to Schools: Remove Cellphones During Class Time – The 74 (the74million.org) 

Teens Get Hundreds of Smartphone Notifications Daily: Study (webmd.com) 

‘Put learners first’: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools | Unesco | The Guardian 

Mobile phone use to be banned in schools in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

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