What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. Chavous

According to the Rural School and Community Trust, 9.3 million students in the United States attended a school in a rural district in 2019. That means nearly one in five American students attends a rural school. Yet delivering high-quality education in these areas can be difficult. What are some of the challenges rural schools face? Which teaching and enrichment tools can enhance rural students’ experience? And… How can government officials create better access and equity for students in rural areas? This week, Kevin is joined by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to discuss how we can improve and support rural schools.

A recent study on global service learning programs revealed that cultural immersion experiences can transform students’ perceptions of themselves and others far beyond what traditional classroom learning provides. How can we encourage students to be curious about the world outside of their local community? How do travel experiences enhance student learning inside of the classroom? And what role should schools and teachers have in providing cultural learning opportunities to our students to further expand their worldview? In this episode, Kevin discusses how we can encourage student cultural exposure and learning with Nebraska’s 2020 Teacher of the Year, Megan Helberg.

According to a new Smoothwall report, 96% of U.S. teachers believe that technology in the classroom has a positive impact on students’ learning and participation. But with the rise of technology in education, we must also think about the potential risks to our children. What are some of the challenges or concerns with incorporating certain technologies into the learning environment? Are there risks with social media platforms that we should take more seriously? And how can we utilize technology to engage our students, while protecting their best interest in the long-term? In this episode, Kevin discusses how we can protect our children online with Virginia Senator Mark Warner.

Twelve years ago, former President Barack Obama focused his State of the Union address on education, calling for the training of 100,000 new teachers of science and mathematics. By 2021, that 100,000 goal had been achieved, but there was still work to be done. And in 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced its You Belong in STEM initiative, designed to bring equity and high-quality STEM education to America’s schools. How do we ensure that STEM teachers are given the tools necessary to succeed? What challenges do we face in bringing high-quality STEM education to our nation’s classrooms? And how can we ensure that STEM education is helping our students understand the problems of today… and tomorrow? In this episode, Kevin explores how we can best support and cultivate STEM teachers with Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten and Beyond 100K founder Talia Milgrom-Elcott.

Each year, New York City schools educate nearly a million children in 1,800 schools, making it the largest school district not only in the United States, but in the entire world. With so many students in such a dense and diverse area, New York becomes a proving ground for all sorts of new solutions in education. What can we learn from what is working in this school system? How can the system be improved to offer the best possible education for students in New York and elsewhere? And… What is the future of education? On this special, in-person 100th episode of What I Want to Know, Kevin is joined by New York City Department of Education Chancellor David C. Banks to discuss New York City schools and the future of education.

Thank you so much for joining me, Kevin P. Chavous, for 100 episodes of What I Want to Know! Over the last two years, I’ve had the privilege to speak with experts, school leaders, parents and students about the most pressing issues in education today. We’ve also had fun exploring what the future of education might look like… and how we can encourage lifelong learning in all students. To celebrate the progress we’ve created for generations to come, here are some of my favorite moments from the previous 99 episodes of What I Want to Know. Subscribe and follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube to catch any episodes you may have missed, and be sure to join me for a very special 100th episode with the Chancellor of New York City Schools, David Banks. This is, What I Want to Know. -------------------------------- Join the conversation using #WIWTK on social media and be sure to leave a review!

While math has never seemed to be the most popular subject, students are increasingly falling behind nationwide. Research shows student scores have dropped since the pandemic, especially in math. Are teachers equipped to help students not only understand math, but excel at it? What makes math difficult for so many students? And how can we reframe the subject for students and encourage a love of math? In this episode, Kevin discusses how we can reframe the narrative around math with the founder and president of Bedtime Math Foundation, Laura Overdeck. This is, What I Want to Know. Join the conversation using #WIWTK on social media and be sure to leave a review!

It is infinitely clear that more young people are getting involved in politics. According to Tufts University, three times as many 18- to 24-year-olds donated to a political campaign or registered others to vote in 2020 than in 2018. It is also equally clear that as political debate in the United States has intensified, classroom debates have also become increasingly heated. How have recent elections and increased interest affected political discourse among younger demographics? Why do some students get involved, while others are not civically engaged? And how does political dialogue in schools fit into the broader conversation around democracy? In this episode, Kevin discusses civic engagement among the next generation of leaders with the CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu Meel.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, student activism is on the rise. Despite long being thought of as politically disengaged, students are interested now more than ever in advocating for the causes they care about. What drives our students to engage in civic life and create calls to action? What barriers exist for young people pursuing activism? And how can we support students who desire to create positive change in their communities? In this episode, Kevin discusses the importance of youth civic engagement with high school student activist and founder of Young STEMists, Mandy Zhang.

Over 50 million people have played Dungeons & Dragons since its creation in 1974, and the game remains highly popular today, especially among teens. Can the world of fantastical creatures be adapted for classrooms to improve learning engagement? In what ways might tabletop gaming help students develop life skills? And how might games like Dungeons & Dragons inspire students’ educational and career outcomes? In this episode, Kevin discusses how schools can use tabletop gaming in learning with Stefan McNinch, President and Founder of UnboxEd.

According to a new report from the Wallace Foundation, effective administrative leadership is key to student success. In fact, leadership was found to be only second to teaching when it comes to influencing academic outcomes such as reading proficiency. What can schools do to enhance the professional development of their principals and administrators? What effect can strong leadership have on student achievement? And how can we create a sustainable education model that addresses teacher turnover? In this episode, Kevin discusses how strong school leadership can impact student reading and achievement outcomes with School Leader Lab executive director, Erica Beal.

According to Publishers Weekly, sales of comic books and graphic novels increased by 62% in 2021, to over $2 billion dollars. With their ongoing popularity among youth, can comic books help encourage a love of reading among students? Do comic authors write differently for younger audiences? And how might comic books and graphic novels be used in the classroom? In this episode, Kevin discusses how comic books can be an effective way to teach kids to read with comic book and graphic novel writer Ryan North.

Poetry is one of the oldest forms of communication in human history. But is it still relevant today, in our multimedia, digital age? What values and skills do kids learn by exploring poetry? How does poetry contribute to students’ development as a whole, and how should it fit into reading education? Can poetry be a force for good in society? In this episode, Kevin discusses how we can foster a love of reading and poetry with Poet Laureate of the United States, Ada Limón.

Parents and educators alike are increasingly concerned about reading proficiency in the wake of the pandemic. According to a recent study by Amplify, only 55% of third graders in the U.S. are on track for developing critical reading skills, with at least 30% in need of intensive intervention. What factors are most important in teaching a child to read, and what are best practices for instruction? How can we support each child’s learning needs to ensure they get on–and stay on–a path to reading success? And what exactly is the “science of reading?” In this episode, Kevin discusses how we can improve student reading ability and the role educators can play in reading instruction with researcher and author, David Kilpatrick.

According to the Brookings Institute, Black boys in American K-12 schools are more likely than their white peers to be suspended from school or interact with the criminal justice system. Additionally, they are less likely to be enrolled in gifted and talented programs or have teachers who set high expectations. How can we empower Black boys to embrace a narrative that is true to who they are, and what they can accomplish? How can schools create an equitable environment for Black boys to thrive and be kept accountable through the process? Can professional development help teachers identify and correct blindspots? In this episode, Kevin discusses how our nation’s Black boys can create a better narrative for themselves and the role educators can play with co-founder and CEO of Never Whisper Justice, Jon-Thomas Royston. This is, What I Want to Know. Join the conversation using #WIWTK on social media and be sure to leave a review!

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the U.S. were cutting back on arts education. However, studies have shown that students who have arts included in their core curriculum not only see improvements in reading and math but also experience lower suspension and dropout rates. Why is it important for students to be exposed to art and culture? What kind of impact does it have on their learning? How can educators use online platforms to immerse their students in art and culture? In this episode, Kevin discusses the possibilities of arts education with tech with the founder and director of Open-ended Design, Suhair Khan.

According to a recent EdBuild study, majority-nonwhite districts nationwide receive 23 billion dollars less in funding every year than majority-white districts, despite serving the same number of students. Funding not only affects the quality of school facilities but access to up-to-date instructional materials. This gap impacts students’ education and perpetuates racial and economic inequities in the country. How can technology create a more equitable education for all students? Can the metaverse help break down barriers when it comes to learning opportunities? In what ways will the metaverse define the future of education? In this episode, Kevin discusses the educational opportunities of the metaverse with Vice President of Education at Roblox, Rebecca Kantar.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, school disciplinary policies often disproportionately affect black students. Black students are suspended or expelled at three times the rate of white students and are three times more likely to enter the juvenile justice system. How can we hold students accountable for their actions and still provide support in the ways that they need? What are some successful prevention approaches for keeping students out of the criminal justice system? And how can we holistically reintegrate students that are currently in the juvenile justice system? In this episode, Kevin discusses disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline with VP of Reintegration and Community Engagement at ViaPath Technologies, Tony Lowden.

In the wake of the pandemic and online learning, many are rethinking the traditional model of public education. Educational innovators are increasingly incorporating project-based learning as an alternative to standardized curriculum and testing. Some argue that it can lead to more equitable outcomes for all students and better prepare students for team-based professional work. How is the traditional learning model shifting?Which teaching methods benefit ALL students and teachers alike?How can we mold our curriculum to produce the creative, innovative leaders of tomorrow? In this episode, Kevin discusses how project-based learning might transform our classrooms with Trish Millines Dziko of the Technology Access Foundation.

In recent years, school choice has become a growing issue among parents. A 2022 National School Choice Week survey found that more than half of parents were considering a different school for one of their children. In our shifting education landscape, some parents are turning away from public schools, while others remain staunch advocates of public education. But is it really just an either/or discussion? And how can our school systems serve all students, regardless of need and ability? In this episode, Kevin discusses parent involvement in school choice with mother and founder of Empowered Arizona Families, Kayla Svedin.