Description:
Veteran correspondent John Merrow and Learning Matters produce podcasts focusing on educational issues such as reform, best practices and testing in k-12 and higher ed. For over 30 years John has used media to encourage and enrich public dialogue about education. Learning Matters has a 11 year history of producing outstanding reportage that continues to inform the general public, policymakers and those specializing in education. Learn more at: http://www.pbs.org/merrow
40 Podcasts:
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Content:
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Gay Rights in the Classroom-Education Podcast with John Merrow #122
The campaign both for and against California's Proposition 8 was heated and costly (only the Presidential campaign cost more). Among other charges, opponents of gay marriage claimed that homosexuality would be taught in schools. What about the schools? What are the rights and responsibilities of gay teachers? Of gay students? What do they think about homosexuality in the classroom?
In 1976, John Merrow asked similar questions on his NPR program--and it's surprisingly relevant today.
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Duration: 6:45 
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Before Twenty-five-Education Podcast with John Merrow #121
Paul Vallas wants to hire as many bright, young teachers as he can--and he's bringing in hundreds of teachers through Teach for America and Teach Nola. Vallas talks about the energy and change young teachers are bringing to his district.
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Duration: 6:45
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The Second Year-Education Podcast with John Merrow #120
Colleston Morgan is a 22 year-old Harvard Graduate in his second year of Teach for America. Morgan talks about his hopes for the upcoming school year, some of his challenges and successes and if he thinks Paul Vallas’ new initiatives are working.
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Duration: 6:45
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Dance of the Lemons-Education Podcast with John Merrow #119
Michelle Rhee continues her sweeping changes with a teachers union contract that aims to rid the system of ineffective teachers. But the union itself has to approve it. What will happen to happen those deemed ineffective?
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Duration: 6:45
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Life in the Hot Seat-Education Podcast with John Merrow #118
George Parker is charged with negotiating the two-tiered contract that Michelle Rhee has proposed. But the union seems divided and Parker has 4,000 teachers that he has to answer to. The rest of the education world is watching as well.
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Duration: 6:45
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Bob Compton has Education Advice for the Next President-Education Podcast with John Merrow #117
Bob Compton is a venture capitalist and entrepreneur whose documentary film, 2 Million Minutes, takes a look at how six high school students from United States, China and India spend their high school years (two million minutes in total). We talked with Compton at the Republican National Convention where he was screening his film.
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Duration: 6:45 
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Deborah Meier has Education Advice for the Next President-Education Podcast with John Merrow #116
Deborah Meier has spent more than four decades working in public education. A MacArthur Foundation ‘Genius,” she founded Central Park East Elementary school and, later, Central Park East Secondary School. Deborah Meier is currently on the faculty of NYU’s Steinhardt School of Education as senior scholar and adjunct professor. We spoke with her about the U.S. educational system and what advice she has for the next President.
AUDIO
Duration: 10:53
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High Marks for Paul Vallas-Education Podcast with John Merrow #115
Urban education expert Michael Casserly explains why New Orleans' Recovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas deserves an 'A-' for his first year on the job.
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Duration: 9:56 
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The Dean of Superintendents-Education Podcast with John Merrow #114
Paul Vallas talks about his successes, challenges and strategies for making change in the New Orleans Recovery School District.
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Duration: 18:58
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No Regrets: Michelle Rhee in Washington, DC-Education Podcast with John Merrow #113
Michelle Rhee talks with John Merrow about her controversial first year as DC Public Schools Chancellor and what she has planned for year two.
AUDIO
Duration: 16:29
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Not the Only Kid on the Block-Education Podcast with John Merrow #112
George Parker, president of Washington DC's Teachers Union, shares some astonishing confessions about the lack of accountability in the union and how it's affecting competition between public and charter schools.
AUDIO
Duration: 13:07
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The Critics-Education Podcast with John Merrow #111
Michelle Rhee has the full support of DC Mayor Adrian Fenty in her quest to overhaul the DC Public School System. What do DC parents, community activists and attorneys have to say abou her tactics?
AUDIO
Duration: 16:22
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The Changing Face of Teachers in New Orleans-Education Podcast with John Merrow #110
Are alternatively certified teachers changing the face of teaching in the New Orleans’ Recovery School District? It seems like it: nearly 30 percent of the teachers in Paul Vallas’ Recovery School District have not been trained in traditional programs, which can last as long as 4 years. We talk with one such teacher who just completed her first year as a second grade teacher.
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Duration: 13:47 
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A Step Backward in DC Education Reform-Education Podcast with John Merrow #109
William Lockridge served as an elected official on the DC school board for over 9 years. Now through mayoral control, the school board has been dissolved leaving Mr. Lockridge and other community members with little say in what is happening in DC schools.
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Duration: 11:56
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Teaching for America: A Conversation with Wendy Kopp-Education Podcast with John Merrow #108
When Wendy Kopp was a college senior she had an idea: what if, as she believed, some of America’s top college students chose teaching over higher-paying professional jobs? She decided to put her idea into action and at 21 years old, Kopp raised 2.5 million dollars and started Teach for America in 1990.
Today, Teach for America (TFA) is the country’s largest provider of teachers for America’s low-income communities. Wendy Kopp sat down with us to talk about TFA’s core values, some bright alums (including Michelle Rhee) and how TFA is influencing DC and New Orleans school districts.
AUDIO
Duration: 9:54
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Michelle Rhee Questions Reform-Education Podcast with John Merrow #107
Last month the Education Writers Association (EWA) held its 61st national seminar in Chicago. We went and had the chance to interview D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee in front of national press. In this podcast, Rhee addresses some tough questions and speaks candidly about her work and the recent controversy that her proposals have stirred up.
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Duration: 21:12
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A Democracy at Risk: George Miller-Education Podcast with John Merrow #106
"Democracy at Risk" is a new report that documents where we are with education today, and it’s not good news. Last week we attended an event at the National Press Club that highlighted the release of this new publication. This podcast features George Miller's talk at that event.
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Duration: 12:09
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A Democracy at Risk: John Deasy-Education Podcast with John Merrow #105
"Democracy at Risk" is a new report that documents where we are with education today, and it’s not good news. Last week we attended an event at the National Press Club that highlighted the release of this new publication. This podcast features John Deasy's talk at that symposium.
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Duration: 7:24
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A Democracy at Risk: Patrick McWalters-Education Podcast with John Merrow #104
"Democracy at Risk" is a new report that documents where we are with education today, and it’s not good news. Last week we attended an event at the National Press Club that highlighted the release of this new publication. In this podcast, Rhode Island Superintendent Patrick McWalters highlights the contribution and drawbacks of federal involvement in education, specifically in regards to No Child Left Behind.
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Duration: 7:24
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A Democracy at Risk: Linda Darling Hammond-Education Podcast with John Merrow #103
"Democracy at Risk" is a new report that documents where we are with education today, and it’s not good news. Last week we attended an event at the National Press Club that highlighted the release of this new publication. This podcast features Linda Darling-Hammond's talk at that symposium.
AUDIO
Duration: 15:10
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A Democracy at Risk: Dr. Milton Goldberg-Education Podcast with John Merrow #102
"Democracy at Risk" is a new report that documents where we are with education today, and it’s not good news. Last week we attended an event at the National Press Club that highlighted the release of this new publication. This podcast features Dr. Milton Goldberg's talk at that symposium.
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Duration: 9:40
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On the Altar of Our Beliefs-Education Podcast with John Merrow #101
In Northern Ireland--a country that has experienced decades of religious conflict--only 6% of Catholic and Protestant students are taught together. Proponents of 'integrated education' are having to work hard to convince parents and teachers that it's critical to the country's peace process.
We traveled to Northern Ireland to talk with Michael Wardlow, CEO of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education. In this podcast, he discusses the impact 'integrated education' can have on ensuring lasting peace in a country rife with religious conflict.
AUDIO
Duration: 16:52
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A Level Playing Field-Education Podcast with John Merrow #100
Superintendent Paul Vallas has the monumental task of turning around his state-run district comprised of New Orleans’ failing schools. Desperate times call for drastic measures, and Vallas has several in mind.
AUDIO
Duration: 11:23
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A Principal's Perspective-Education Podcast with John Merrow #99
Principal L. Nelson Burton must raise test scores at Washington, DC’s troubled Coolidge Senior High School – but he says that half of his teachers are not effective.
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Duration: 11:23
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Listen Up! Turns 10-Education Podcast with John Merrow #98
Listen Up!, a Learning Matters’ arm, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year! Ten years ago we started with a small idea but realized something big: young people can use video to change their lives and to change their communities. Listen Up has since become the biggest network of its kind, created thelargest clearinghouse of youth media online, had our work featured in hundreds of local and international film festivals. Austin Haeberle and Rhea Mokund, Listen Up’s Directors, talk about the past, present and energized future of youth media.
AUDIO
Duration: 15:30
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Just One of Me and A Lot of Them-Education Podcast with John Merrow #97
Helen Miller is a single mother in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward. She works full time to provide for her family of five. Despite Superintendent Paul Vallas’ recent initiatives to keep children in school and out of the street, Ms Miller still struggles. She doesn’t want her 16 year-old son, Antoine, to become another one of New Orleans’ notorious statistics. Listen as Ms. Miller shares her concerns for her kids and, ultimately, the schools of New Orleans.
AUDIO
Duration: 7:28
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DC Mayor Weighs In-Education Podcast with John Merrow #96
Mayor Adrian Fenty and Chancellor Rhee are moving quickly to make big changes in DC’s failing schools. But their controversial proposal to fire central office employees and close 23 schools has left some feeling that that they are moving too fast. In this podcast, Mayor Fenty gives Chancellor Rhee an A+ on performance and discusses their plan to close schools.
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Duration: 8:10
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A Cost of War-Education Podcast with John Merrow #95
How do we reward our veterans for putting their lives on the line? Most soldiers say they want an education, but the current benefits offered through the GI BIll are inadequate to say the least. According to Virginia Senator Jim Webb, a former marine and Vietnam vet, it's a problematic cost of war: “We’re spending $8.2 billion this year on educational grants for people in this country, based purely on need, not for affirmative service of any kind. So this is a cost of war.”
AUDIO
Duration: 17:17
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Sometimes One Brick at a Time Isn't Fast Enough-Education Podcast with John Merrow #94
New Orleans’ new Superintendent of Schools, Paul Vallas, has received national attention for his sweeping initiatives – free laptop computers for every high school student, an extended school day, a special school for overage underachievers. So how does his boss, the State Superintendent of Schools, Paul Pastorek, judge Vallas’ progress? We caught up with Pastorek at the ceremonial demolition of one of the city’s storm ravaged school buildings to talk about school reconstruction, charter schools, technology in the classroom, and most importantly, to hear what Paul had to say about Paul.
AUDIO
Duration: 14:13
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Community Engagement and Public School Reform-Education Podcast with John Merrow #93
Parent advocate Margot Berkey is thrilled about the prospect of lasting school reform in Washington, DC. But can such reform take place without community input? In this podcast, Berkey discusses the ramifications of what she sees as a lack of transparency on the part of DC schools leaders.
AUDIO
Duration: 10:03
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Push Them to a Cliff-Education Podcast with John Merrow #92
How do the best superintendents of the nation deal with the everyday challenges of running school districts? How do they negotiate the obstacles and develop innovative solutions to ensure that education remains a priority? Last September Rudy Crew, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Joel Klein, chancellor of the New York City Board of Education, debated these issues. The panel was held in Washington, DC, before the Broad Foundation Urban Education Award Ceremony.
AUDIO
Duration: 26:00
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Everybody's Doing It-Education Podcast with John Merrow #91
College sports conjure up conflicting images from academics to athletics scandals. Our newest documentary, Big Time Losers, examines the contradictions of this multi-million dollar industry. In this podcast, Lute Olson--interviewed in the film--talks about the educational aspects of college sports and why basketball and football in particular are critical to the university and all other college sports.
AUDIO
Duration: 20:11
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Bold Initiatives in New Olreans-Education Podcast with John Merrow #90
If you were put in charge of one of the worst school districts in the country would you give high school students free laptops? Well, that’s exactly what Paul Vallas has done. Now several months into his superintendency of the Recovery School District in New Orleans, Vallas is betting on some bold initiatives to turn the system around and improve education for students. Hear Vallas talk about trying to upend old ways of doing business and set about changing how students learn.
AUDIO
Duration: 18:30
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A Union Leader on the Hot Seat-Education Podcast with John Merrow #89
George Parker, the president of the teachers’ union in Washington D.C., is now negotiating a new contract with School Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Rhee wants to make it easier to fire ineffective teachers, but Parker says she already has enough power. In this audio podcast, hear how Parker balances the need for educational reform with his duty to protect workers’ rights.
AUDIO
Duration: 12:14
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Daily, Weekly, Monthly-Education Podcast with John Merrow #88
The Federal law known as No Child Left Behind has generated a massive amount of testing data. But is the data useful in the classroom? Jay McClain, principal at Bailey’s Elementary School in Fairfax County, VA, discuss how NCLB impacts his job.
AUDIO
Duration: 11:14
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One Little Snapshot-Education Podcast with John Merrow #87
5th grade teacher Betsy Walter sees her students making progress – but often, tests required by the federal law known as No Child Left Behind tell a different story. Walter, who once worked for Senator Kennedy, a sponsor of the law, discusses how NCLB evaluates her students.
AUDIO
Duration: 12:29
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Teachers at the Table-Education Podcast with John Merrow #86
Every Spring, the state teachers of the year travel to Washington to meet the President. But this year, they planned an event of their own – 50 of the state teachers of the year held a press conference calling for 10 major changes to the Federal law known as No Child Left Behind. Hear Maddie Fennell, the 2007 Nebraska Teacher of the Year, discuss how the law looks differently in Washington than it does in her Omaha classroom.
AUDIO
Duration: 11:47
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The Right Answer-Education Podcast with John Merrow #85
The Federal Law known as No Child Left Behind tests reading and math each year in grades three through eight. But is the testing helping kids learn how to apply knowledge in the real world? Lynn Riggs, a science teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia, worries that students are learning how to give the right answers – at the cost of learning how to ask the right questions.
AUDIO
Duration: 16:55
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Honoring the Reality-Education Podcast with John Merrow #82
Anthony Cody is a National Board Certified Teacher with 18 years of classroom experience under his belt. But Anthony Cody is no longer teaching--he left the profession several years after the No Child Left Behind was passed. In this podcast, hear Cody explain why left, why it’s difficult for teachers to criticize the law, and why NCLB doesn’t “honor the reality” of urban education.
AUDIO
Duration: 20:17
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Recovery School District: A New Beginning?-Education Podcast with John Merrow #84
Amanda Sias, Kady Amundson and Jason Denlinger—three teachers at Rabouin High School, one of New Orleans’ lowest performing schools designated to the Recovery School District—debate whether their new, optimistic Superintendent, Paul Vallas, can turn around a district plagued by historical failure and poverty.
AUDIO
Duration: 21:22
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Young and In Charge-Education Podcast with John Merrow #83
Washington, DC’s new and inexperienced superintendent, 37-year-old Michelle Rhee, discusses her plans to reshape the school district’s traditionally unresponsive central office and boost student achievement.
AUDIO
Duration: 15:26
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We Needed Something Radical-Education Podcast with John Merrow #81
Michelle Evans was appalled by the conditions at her son’s middle school – and so she changed them. Using a provision of No Child Left Behind, Evans lead the fight to convert Gompers Middle School to a charter school. Hear Evans, who many call a hero, describe the struggle and success of the effort.
AUDIO
Duration: 13:19
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The Political Will to Change-Education Podcast with John Merrow #80
During Alan Bersin’s 7-year tenure as San Diego’s Superintendent of Schools he often found himself at the center of the controversy. Hear this nationally-known educational reformer share some of the lessons he learned fighting to improve failing schools.
AUDIO
Duration: 21:30
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Radical Reform in San Diego-Education Podcast with John Merrow #79
San Diego's Keiller Middle School re-invented itself as a charter school, and for the first time in ears, students are meeting the requirements of No Child Left Behind. So why, asks Executive Director Patricia Ladd, is the local school system treating it like an adversary?
AUDIO
Duration: 19:19
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Game Changer-Education Podcast with John Merrow #78
Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings responds to John Merrow’s questions about loopholes in the federal law known as No Child Left Behind. Is the law truly holding states accountable for educating all children?
AUDIO
Duration: 14:26
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Three Quarters of the Way to the Moon-Education Podcast with John Merrow #77
Though the federal law known as No Child Left Behind requires annual testing in reading and math, states develop their own tests and decide where to set the bar. Conservative education guru Chester Finn discusses these and other loopholes in No Child Left Behind and tells us why it’s politically impossible to suggest a goal less than 100%.
AUDIO
Duration: 15:39
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A Look Back at No Child Left Behind-Education Podcast with John Merrow #76
As the opportunity to reauthorize No Child Left Behind draws near, criticism of the law is mounting. But when President Bush signed the law early in his first term, it enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support. In 2001, John Merrow spoke with the President's Domestic Policy Advisor Margaret La Montagne and former President Clinton's Education Advisor Andy Rotherham.
AUDIO
Duration: 23:03
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Violence in the Media-Education Podcast with John Merrow #75
Does watching a violent movie increase the likelihood that a child will herself become violent? Does a focus on violent media distract from other crucial factors that turn kids violent? John Merrow asks Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of “Why They Kill,” about how our culture creates violent criminals.
AUDIO
Duration: 21:39
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Censorship of Children's Literature-Education Podcast with John Merrow #74
What is acceptable content in children's literature? Should librarians and parents be able to decide what books are appropriate not just for their children, but for all children? John Merrow spoke with Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, another Newbery winner, whose "Alice" books were among the most banned books of 1999 (second only to Harry Potter).
AUDIO
Duration: 15:39
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Military Recruiting in High Schools-Education Podcast with John Merrow #73
In anticipation of our upcoming NCLB-related reports on The NewsHour, we are re-airing "Military Recruiting in High Schools." US Army's struggles to meet its recruiting quotas are well known. Less publicized is the Army's efficient recruiting machine that visits high schools. Two years ago the US Army granted us complete access to its high school recruitment process, and we followed the team to a large San Diego high school.
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Duration: 11:40
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Ted Sizer-Education Podcast with John Merrow #72
Veteran educator Ted Sizer on what makes an excellent high school.
Noise, cliques, uncertainty and arguments may not be so bad for high school students. Veteran educator Ted Sizer provides insights that go against conventional wisdom and explains why most American high schools are barely good enough.
Duration: 26:19
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We Know What Works - Education Podcast with John Merrow #71
Nancy Shulock doesn't think community colleges should get more money -- that is, without also implementing some major policy changes. She argues that we already know how to improve transfer and completion rates at community colleges but sometimes lack the political will to do so. In this podcast, Professor Shulock, Executive Director of the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy at Sacramento State University, offers insights that have upset some community college leaders.
AUDIO
Duration: 15:55
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Second Class - Education Podcast with John Merrow #70
Most students at Los Angeles Trade and Tech aren't seeking to transfer to a four-year school. Instead, they enroll to gain critical job training. Vice President of Academic Affairs Marcy Drummond discusses the challenges of running Trade Tech, and why she believes her institution is a “second class citizen.”
AUDIO
Duration: 13:30
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A Right to Fail?, Part 2 - Education Podcast with John Merrow #69
Should a remedial teacher know why her student has been unsuccessful in the past? Joliet Junior College Professors Edy Alderson and Kathleen Perryman, who telephone their students at home and even offer rewards like chocolate bars, say yes.
AUDIO
Duration: 15:11
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A Right to Fail?, Part 1 - Education Podcast with John Merrow #68
Community college professor Steve Zuro is doing all he can to help his remedial math students, but only half pass the class. What's going wrong?
AUDIO
Duration: 12:14
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Lessons of War-Education Podcast with John Merrow #67
We�ve received so many requests for our program, Lessons of War, which aired on The NewsHour last week, we decided to make it this week�s podcast. So, if you missed it when it aired or would like to see it again, you can now watch the entire program online. In addition to The NewsHour segment, we produced four podcasts of extended interviews providing a more in-depth and personal look into the lives of the four people featured in the piece.
VIDEO
Duration: 13:54 
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Leading the Smallest Soldiers - Education Podcast with John Merrow #66
Retired military officer Tim Howle finds a new way to serve his country as principal of McNair Elementary on Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
AUDIO
Duration: 13:00
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Spelling Iraq - Education Podcast with John Merrow #65
Almost all of Nancy Welsh's kindergarten students have a parent in Iraq or Afghanistan.
AUDIO
Duration: 16:00
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After He's Gone - Education Podcast with John Merrow #64
27-year-old Scarlette Keeling struggles to raise her three children after her husband, Corey, leaves to serve as a medic in Afghanistan.
AUDIO
Duration: 20:00
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Classroom Veteran - Education Podcast with John Merrow #63
Third grade teacher and army veteran Gary Wieland has seven students who have parents serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. How does a veteran teacher juggle academics and a student's need for affection and reassurance?
AUDIO
Duration: 23:00
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All things to all people?-Education Podcast with John Merrow #62
We expect a lot from our 1200 community colleges, and most of them bend over backwards trying to provide it-job training, a jumpstart on a 4-year degree, remedial education, even classes in motorcycle repair and ballroom dancing! But is being all things to all people possible, or even desirable?
AUDIO
Duration: 25:00
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Profit and Loss-Education Podcast with John Merrow #61
John Merrow's conversation with Steve Mariotti about creating a global movement around entrepreneurship education.
AUDIO
Duration: 20:25
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Eating Disorders on America's College Campuses-Education Podcast with John Merrow #60
The prevalence of eating disorders in society is hard to ignore. As many as 10 million women and 1 million men in the United States alone have either anorexia or bulimia. In this exclusive video podcast, we take a look inside America's college campuses, where eating disorders may affect up to 20% of its students.
VIDEO
Duration: 15:01
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Teaching Entrepreneurship-Education Podcast with John Merrow #59
Watch as inner city high school students launch their own soda company, and hear why some say entrepreneurship education is the civil rights issue of our time.
VIDEO
Duration : 9:50
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Dumb Jocks?-Education Podcast with John Merrow #58
A college football championship special. Sociologist and civil rights activist Dr. Harry Edwards on the problematic college sports system that deserves to be saved.
Duration: 37:00
AUDIO
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Measuring Learning with Bill Sanders-Education Podcast with John Merrow #57
One of the country's top education researchers discusses the federal law known as No Child Left Behind at a meeting of Phi Delta Kappa in Washington, D.C.
AUDIO
Duration: 21:42
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Turnaround Specialist Roundtable-Education Podcast with John Merrow #56
What does it take to turn around a failing school? John Merrow talked to three so-called turnaround specialists hired by the state of Virginia to save its underperforming schools.
AUDIO
Duration: 36:38
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Turnaround Specialist Part 4-Education Podcast with John Merrow #55
When veteran principal Parke Land signed up to become a Turnaround Specialist, he fully expected to transform the failing
middle school to which he was assigned. In Part IV of our serial coverage, the surprising conclusion to our story.
VIDEO
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Separate Classrooms-Education Podcast with John Merrow #54
The U.S. Department of Education has decided to support single sex public schools, classrooms and activities, removing the legal ambiguity created by two apparently conflicting laws, Title IX and No Child Left Behind.
In this week's podcast we report on a public school's experiment with single sex classrooms. As you will see, this experiment began accidentally, the result of a computer glitch.
VIDEO
Duration: 11:31
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Eyes on the Prize - Education Podcast with John Merrow #53
A roundtable discussion with superstars of urban education. John Merrow moderates a symposium with the finalists for the Broad Prize for Urban Education. Which district comes out on top? The envelope, please . . .
Broad Symposium
Duration: 1:01:08
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The Weighted Student Formula Debate - Education Podcast with John Merrow #52
The current system of public school funding is plagued by inequity. Is the weighted student formula education's silver bullet or a smoke screen? John Merrow moderates a debate about a controversial new proposal.
Cynthia G. Brown, Director of Education Policy, Center for American Progress provides an overview. The panelists were Arlene Ackerman, former superintendent, San Francisco; Rod Paige, former secretary of education; John Podesta, President and CEO, Center for American Progress; and Michael Rebell, executive director, the Campaign for Educational Equity.
AUDIO
Duration: 53:24
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Making the Grade Part VII: Redux-Education Podcast with John Merrow #51
One year after the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer profiled five rookie teachers assigned to an underperforming school in Brooklyn, New York, we revisited them with a special guest: the man who created their Teaching Fellows program, Schools Chancellor Harold Levy. The Fellows got their chance to 'sound off' on all the issues they faced in their first year of teaching. See what happens when they meet in our final installment of Making the Grade.
VIDEO
Duration: 11:10
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Making the Grade Part VI: The End of the School Year-Education Podcast with John Merrow #50
Over the course of a school year, five NYC Teaching Fellows have tackled every classroom challenge that's come their way, including disruptive students, violence, high pressure testing, and the reality of becoming teachers with almost no training.
We've watched them overcome the jitters of their first day of school and struggle to maintain control of their classrooms. Two of their colleagues at PS 25 in Brooklyn quit early in the year, and one of our rookies, Renee Cason, came close. She admits I hate this year but also promised she would not throw in the towel. In this NewsHour episode, the sixth of seven, you'll find out if she makes it and hear the rookies reflect on all they've faced.
VIDEO
Duration: 11:36
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Making the Grade Part V: Preparing for Standardized Tests-Education Podcast with John Merrow #49
This week's podcast is the fifth of seven NewsHour pieces that follow several first year Teaching Fellows assigned to one of the worst public schools in New York City. In our fifth installment, the Fellows learn how to teach to the test, preparing their students for high stakes testing that could get them off the list of lowest performing schools.
VIDEO
Duration: 11:49
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Making the Grade Part IV: Challenges Continue-Education Podcast with John Merrow #48
This week's podcast is the fourth of seven NewsHour pieces that follow several first year Teaching Fellows assigned to one of the worst public schools in New York City. In our fourth installment, we visit the Fellows at their local college, where they are taking classes aimed at improving their teaching techniques. Are these classes actually helping them in their own classrooms?
VIDEO
Duration: 14:05
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Making the Grade Part III: Frustrations and Accomplishments-Education Podcast with John Merrow #47
This week's podcast is the third of seven NewsHour pieces that follow several first year Teaching Fellows assigned to one of the worst public schools in New York City. In our third installment, two Teaching Fellows drop out and another struggles to maintain control of her classroom.
VIDEO
Duration: 12:53
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Making the Grade Part II: Learning the Ropes-Education Podcast with John Merrow #46
This week's podcast is the second of seven NewsHour pieces that follow several first year Teaching Fellows assigned to one of the worst public schools in New York City. In our second installment, the realities of being an inexperienced teacher sets in, the Fellows get a visit from the principal and the district superintendent, and one teacher gets assaulted in class.
VIDEO
Duration: 12:11
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Making the Grade Part I: First Day of School-Education Podcast with John Merrow #45
The first of seven NewsHour pieces that follow several first year teachers assigned to one of the worst public schools in New York City. In our first installment, you will meet Teaching Fellows Dana, Scott, Renee, and Jack, who are assigned to PS 25 in Brooklyn, a K-8 school known for its low academic performance.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 14:49
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Military Recruiting in High Schools-Education Podcast with John Merrow #44
The US Army's struggles to meet its recruiting quotas are well known. Less publicized is the Army's efficient recruiting machine that visits high schools. Two years ago the US Army granted us complete access to its high school recruitment process, and we followed the team to a large San Diego high school.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 11:40
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A Provost's Balancing Act-Education Podcast with John Merrow #43
A glimpse into the life of a college provost, the chief academic officer on campus.
Dr. Barbara Burch of Western Kentucky University has to struggle to balance the needs of 19,000 students, the demands of faculty, economic pressures, and pressures from interest groups (like sports fans!).
Duration: 44:56
(Play It)
Turnaround Specialist, Part 3-Education Podcast with John Merrow #42
The continuing dramatic story of one man's effort to fix a failing middle school in Richmond, Virginia.
Parke Land is one of two dozen veteran public school principals selected for two weeks of business school training and then assigned to some of the state's toughest schools.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 10:08
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Reunion: A Personal Essay-Education Podcast with John Merrow #41
Recently John Merrow attended the 40th reunion of the class of 1966 at Paul D. Schreiber High School in Port Washington, NY where he was an English teacher fresh out of college.
The renuion was an opportunity to discover what interesting, complex and valuable humans these young people have become, as well as a reminder of the power teachers have over the lives of the young.
Duration: 5:17
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Chattanooga's Enthusiastic Eight-Education Podcast with John Merrow #40
Eight remarkable teachers from some of the poorest schools in Chattanooga show no fear of speaking openly about teaching in the inner city.
AUDIO
Duration: 45:26
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Chattanooga-Education Podcast with John Merrow #39
When a list of the worst elementary schools in Tennessee came out in 2000, Chattanooga was stunned to find that nine of its schools were in the bottom 20. Embarrassed, the community decided it had to act.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 11:11
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First Generation Freshman-Education Podcast with John Merrow #38
College freshman Matt Morris is making the move from a small country town to a large state university.
Matt Morris tells us how appearing to be a hillbilly appeals to coeds, how he balances his party life with his schoolwork, and other secrets.
Duration: 26:53
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Opening the (Gym) Door for Women-Education Podcast with John Merrow #37
Olympic gold medalist Donna de Varona on the continuing struggle for gender equality in sports and what she sees as a coming train wreck in college sports. It's the anniversary of Title IX.
Duration: 36:16
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Expecting More...and Getting It-Education Podcast with John Merrow #36
This week's podcast is a conversation with a college professor who challenges his students and expects them to challenge each other...and him.
An interview with Austin Sarat, professor of jurisprudence and political science at Amherst college for over 30 years.
Duration: 45:21
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Is Excellence Enough?-Education Podcast with John Merrow #35
Can a school be 'outstanding' AND 'in need of improvement' at the same time? Apparently so. A visit to a highly praised New York City public school that, according to the federal law known as No Child Left Behind, is not making the grade.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 12:58
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A Juggling Act-Education Podcast with John Merrow #34
While other full time college students are studying, partying or sleeping, Ceylon Hollis is processing hundreds of car parts until the sun comes up. How long can she keep this up?
Duration: 8:48
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Expecting Less...and Getting It-Education Podcast with John Merrow #33
A conversation with a college professor who seems to accept student mediocrity as inevitable.
Paulette Kurzer, a professor of political science at the University of Arizona and teacher of over 20 years, discusses how she deals with students who don't pay attention or do the work.
Duration: 35:57
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Chasing Tenure-Education Podcast with John Merrow #32
A young adjunct professor would like nothing more than a full time teaching position that would put him on the long road towards tenure, but most of his requests for job interviews go unanswered.
Duration: 29:46
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College Life-Education Podcast with John Merrow #31
Inside college residence hall life.
A Resident Assistant at a large public university reveals how students deal with sudden freedom from parental supervision, drinking, dating and becoming an adult.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 10:45
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Disappearing Dropouts-Education Podcast with John Merrow #30
Americans know the situation in our public high schools is bad, but it may be far worse than they think.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 10:28
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A Degree or an Education?-Education Podcast with John Merrow #29
Former college president Richard Hersh discusses the difference between a college degree and a college education.
Duration: 45:31
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Bay St. Louis-Education Podcast with John Merrow #28
Putting the pieces back together.
Recently, we profiled one school's recovery effort seven months after Katrina, for The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer on PBS. Here's an opportunity for you to get to know three of the individuals who work in hurricane damaged Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
(VIDEO)
Time: 13:10
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College Rankings-Education Podcast with John Merrow #27
College presidents, critics and advocates debate the value of the US
News and World Report college rankings.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 8:44
(Play It)
Public Universities-Education Podcast with John Merrow #26
University of Arizona President Peter Likins responds to criticism about education at a large public university.
Duration: 31:07
(Play It)
College Sports-Education Podcast with John Merrow #25
A March madness special.
Sociologist Harry Edwards on the business of college athletics.
Duration: 47:00
(Play It)
High Stakes Testing-Education Podcast with John Merrow #24
George Madaus, testing analyst of over 30 years, gives his insights into the defects of testing practices and how they play out in the classroom.
Duration: 35:15
(Play It)
Achievement Gap-Education Podcast with John Merrow #23
A profile of an urban elementary school in Mount Vernon, NY that has been successful at avoiding the achievement gap.
(VIDEO)
Duration: 11:11
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Albert Shanker's Legacy-Education Podcast with John Merrow #22
A tribute to the late educator and teacher union leader.
Duration: 52:53
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Gifted Education-Education Podcast with John Merrow #21
Gifted education specialist Penny Choice deflates the myths about cream always rising to the top.
Duration: 32:50
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Turnaround Specialist Part 2-Education Podcast with John Merrow #20
Follow-up on Virginia's Turnaround Specialist program.
(VIDEO)
Parker Land struggles with disruptive students and also tries to persuade teachers to assist with discipline.
Duration: 14:08
(Play It)
Slipping Behind-Education Podcast with John Merrow #19
Pat Callan, President of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.
Pat discusses what's wrong with American higher education.
Duration: 51:00
(Play It)
Turnaround Specialist Part 1-Education Podcast with John Merrow #18
Virginia's Turnaround Specialist program is among the hottest new ideas in education. (VIDEO)
Duration: 10:27
(Play It)
Vital Testing-Education Podcast with John Merrow #17
How excellent schools produce tangible results according to E.D. Hirsch, Jr.
Duration: 37:05
(Play It)
Progressive Schools-Education Podcast with John Merrow #16
Progressive schools advocate Alfie Kohn argues that competition undermines learning.
Duration: 36:18
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Ted Sizer-Education Podcast with John Merrow #15
Veteran educator Ted Sizer on what makes an excellent high school.
Noise, cliques, uncertainty and arguments may not be so bad for high school students. Veteran educator Ted Sizer provides insights that go against conventional wisdom and explains why most American high schools are barely good enough.
Duration: 26:19
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Marketing College-Education Podcast with John Merrow #14
The war of amenities.
Lara Couturier on competition amongst colleges.
Duration: 23:09
(Play It)
Small Schools-Education Podcast with John Merrow #13
What makes a good school?
Deborah Meier, the architect of many school reforms, reflects on the changes she's seen over the years.
Duration: 38:53
(Play It)
US News Rankings-Education Podcast with John Merrow #12
The number one college rankings guide.
A conversation with Ben Wildavsky, education editor of U.S. News & World Report, on his magazine's college ranking system.
AUDIO
Duration: 27:50
(Play It)
Liberal Education-Education Podcast with John Merrow #11
Elite liberal arts colleges.
A conversation with Amherst College President Tony Marx.
Duration: 32:04
(Play It)
NSSE-Education Podcast with John Merrow #10
A different college ranking.
A conversation with George Kuh, Director of the National Survey of Student Engagement.
Duration: 39:17
(Play It)
California Schools-Education Podcast with John Merrow #9
California public school system.
A conversation with former California State librarian, Dr. Kevin Starr.
Duration: 27:58
(Play It)
New Orleans-Education Podcast with John Merrow #8
Rebuilding New Orleans' public school system.
A conversation with Sajan George and Bill Roberti from crisis management firm Alvarez & Marsal.
Duration: 43:35
(Play It)
The Arms Race-Education Podcast with John Merrow #7
Higher education: transforming a university.
A conversation with Western Kentucky University President Gary Ransdell.
Duration: 25:32
(Play It)
College Admissions-Education Podcast with John Merrow #6
Interview with Tom Parker, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Amherst College.
Tom Parker discusses the admissions process at Amherst College.
Duration: 45:57
(Play It)
College Teaching-Education Podcast with John Merrow #5
Interview with Lee Shulman, President of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
John talks with Lee about teaching and learning in higher education.
Duration: 37:48
(Play It)
Community Colleges-Education Podcast with John Merrow #4
Interview with Kay McClenney, community college expert.
She speaks on the importance of community colleges, where 45% of all college students are enrolled.
Duration: 28:36
(Play It)
Big Time Sports-Education Podcast with John Merrow #3
Interview with Frank Deford.
A conversation with Frank Deford on the role of college sports in higher education.
Duration: 32:00
(Play It)
NYC Schools-Education Podcast with John Merrow #2
Interviews: Randi Weingarten, Eric Gioia, and Arthur Levine.
John Merrow's extended interviews with three key players in the politics of NYC education, done for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
Duration: 44:57
(Play It)
Joel Klein-Education Podcast with John Merrow #1
Disappearing Dropouts; NYC Chancellor Joel Klein.
A report on just how far educators will go to avoid being held accountable and a candid interview with NYC School Chancellor Joel Klein as he begins his fourth year leading the nation's largest school system.
Duration: 47:26
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