The Ed Couple

A discussion between Nate and James about the recent inspector general's report on irregularities in testing. Note - this episode was recorded prior to the coronavirus outbreak and since we recorded, most districts have cancelled mandated testing this school year.

Nate and James discuss the recently released CPS Five Year Vision

A conversation with Kyle Westbrook, the Executive Director of the Partnership for College Completion. We discuss the racial disparities in college enrollment and completion, college affordability as well as his years working in the Chicago Public Schools.

A conversation with Josh Kaufmann, the Senior Executive Director of Teach Plus, Illinois. Teach Plus empowers excellent, experienced teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success.

A conversation with Josh Kaufmann, the Senior Executive Director of Teach Plus Illinois. We talk about Josh's time acting, teaching and leading Teach Plus Illinois, an organization that works to empower excellent, experienced teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success.

A conversation with Aneesh Sohoni, the Executive Director of Teach for America Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. Aneesh talks about how his upbringing in Minnesota impacted his career path. We discuss his work with Teach For America and the organization's impact.

A conversation with Ellen Metz, the Head of Schools for the Noble Network of Charter Schools. We discuss her career at Noble, her new job and the future of the largest charter network in Chicago.

A conversation with Alex Seeskin, Chief Strategy Officer at the Urban Education Institute. We talk about the graduation and college enrollment rates in the Chicago Public Schools and how the To&Through Project is helping principals improve outcomes for students. Check out their work at https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu

A conversation with journalists Juan Perez and Jennifer Smith Richards discussing their work on the Tribune's investigation 'Betrayed' on sexual abuse in the Chicago Public Schools.

After a long hiatus, the Ed Couple return to talk about current events in Chicago education and to preview the upcoming season.

A conversation with the CEO of the UChicago Charter School Network. We discuss how her childhood and first teaching job in Evanston, Illinois inspired her to close the achievement gap. Hear about why being a principal is the best job in education and why focusing on culture is crucial.

"Although we all now drink from the same water fountains, children of color still go thirsty for the education they need and deserve." A conversation about race, education and America with Lillian Lowery and Wil Del Pilar of the Education Trust. We discuss the piece they co-wrote for the Brookings Institution, 'American Students Need to Be Able to Dream Big.'

A first for the Ed Couple -- A conversation with two guests! Andy Schmitz of the Urban Education Institute supports school leaders and their teams through the use of the 5Essentials system. Chris Carlson is the Director of Partnerships at Fulcrum Education Solutions, an education start-up focusing on instructional leadership. We discuss the eternal question - why is it so hard to improve a school? And we talk about football too.

An interview with Rod Estvan, Education Policy Analyst, at Access Living. We talk about the history of special education in the Chicago Public Schools as well as the current reality.

An interview with award winning journalist Sarah Karp. We discuss what's it like to be a CPS parent/journalist, her investigation of the Supes Academy scandal and why it's so hard to get access to schools. Sarah also discusses her latest investigation of special education in the city's schools.

A conversation with Jen McDonnell, Senior District Director for the College Board. We discuss the Chicago Public Schools' transition to the SAT test and the growth of students taking AP classes in Chicago. Listen to the story of how mentors, including a CPS principal, changed Jenny's life.

An interview with Sarah Makela, the Executive Director of Grow Community. Grow Community strives to be a citywide model for equitable, high-quality neighborhood-based K-12 systems that prepare all students for success in college and beyond. We also talk about Sarah's experiences with CPS, the challenge finishing a dissertation and the Ohio State-Michigan football rivalry.

Kevin Coval and his non-profit Young Chicago Authors are inspiring teens throughout the city. Our conversation traces the origin of Louder than a Bomb - the largest youth poetry festival in the world and its impact on Chicago kids.

Our second annual Back to School Special! (Except we are not going back to school). We get a Waylon update in this episode and then discuss SB 1947 - the landmark, and controversial, school funding bill passed by Springfield.

The second part of our conversation with CPAA president, Troy Laraviere. We discuss his vision to make CPAA a member driven organization. His answer to our question about whether he is crazy enough to run for mayor of Chicago may surprise you.