Education Rx: A Podcast That Dives Deep into the Current State of Education

by Hollye Bronson

Students across America are struggling! In October of 2022, the NAEP test scores came back with scores for 4th, 8th, and 12th grades in reading, math and science that reflect historic lows. Did CoVid 19 create learning gaps that have caused American students to lose all of the gains that were achieved during the 1990’s and early 2000’s?

Students across America are struggling with learning gaps post CoVid/remote learning: students in 4th, 5th, and even 6th grade that cannot read or write. Experts are predicting that the current generation of students could experience significant long term effects of these learning gaps if we do not act swifty, and with fidelity.

Teachers are struggling with exhaustion and feeling disempowered. Now is the time to tap into fresh and reimagined ideas around access, engagement, and what are meaningful skills that students need. Looking at world wide surveys on education, the US has yet to break into the top 10 for either best education systems OR highest academic scores. Why is that?

My name is Hollye Bronson. Together, with my co host, Shannon Donnaway, we are taking on hot topics in education through our podcast, Education Rx. We are both educators with almost 45 years in education between the 2 of us. We are using our podcast as a platform to identify hot topics in education and ideas for supporting educators, students and families in making positive changes.

Season 2 is in production and will be released the 1st week of April. This season we are looking at practices of inclusive learning. Each episode we have a conversation with 1 or more experts on a specific topic. We begin this season with the authors of “Inclusive Learning 365:” We explore what inclusion means, as well as ways educators can increase engagement for students immediately. Dr. Andrew Ho of Harvard University, national education testing expert (psychometrician–I didn’t even know what this was at first), explains the NAEP testing and what these scores tell us. Dr. James Robinson of Indiana University provides insight into research

that shows long term outcomes for students who participate in inclusive learning, and shares 3 core inclusive formats that produce student success. Sam Kary, founder and CEO of The New EdTech Classroom gives meaningful resources for educators on streamlining their process and creating fun, engaging lessons. Dr. Doug Fisher addresses student centered learning practices and ways to address literacy gaps. Dr. Pedro Noguera talks with us about equity and diversity in the classroom. Dr. Pasi Sahlberg, previous minister of education in Finland and world renowned education reform expert, shares how Finland created full inclusion in their schools and reformed education with practices that work!

If you haven’t listened to us before, check out our first season now. You can find us wherever you listen to your podcasts (Spotify, iHeart Radio Stitcher, Povdine, Google, Apple, Amazon, Wisdom and more). This LINK will take you to our podcast on Spotify. (https://open.spotify.com/