The Conversation at Dropout Nation http://dropoutnation.net/category/the-conversation Dropout Nation Editor RiShawn Biddle interviews key players about the debates over the reform of American public education Sun, 20 May 2012 04:44:42 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=The Conversation at Dropout Nation Dropout Nation focuses on the reform of American public education, the consequences of the nation's high school dropout crisis, the advocates and politicians behind the debates, and how school innovations can improve the lives and economic destinies of children of every race and economic class. The show is hosted by RiShawn Biddle, editor of Dropout Nation and contributor to The American Spectator. RiShawn Biddle no RiShawn Biddle rbiddle@rishawnbiddle.org rbiddle@rishawnbiddle.org (RiShawn Biddle) Copyright 2009-2014 by RiShawn Biddle and RiShawn Biddle Communications All rights reserved. The Dropout Nation Podcast education. K-12, high school dropouts, graduation rates, charter schools, school choice, accountability, school reform, AFT, NEA, teachers unions The Conversation at Dropout Nation http://dropoutnation.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/conversationdropoutnation_feed_cover_2012.png http://dropoutnation.net/category/the-conversation Monthly The Conversation at Dropout Nation: Gwen Samuel and Hartford Parents on the Importance of Parent Power http://dropoutnation.net/2012/04/04/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-gwen-samuel-and-hartford-parents-on-the-importance-of-parent-power/ http://dropoutnation.net/2012/04/04/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-gwen-samuel-and-hartford-parents-on-the-importance-of-parent-power/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:01:02 +0000 Dropout Nation Editorial Board http://dropoutnation.net/?p=8917

On this month’s Conversation, Editor RiShawn Biddle chats with Connecticut Parents Union President Gwen Samuel and mothers running the Hartford Parents Organization about their efforts to champion school choice and teacher quality reforms in one of Dropout Nation‘s States to Watch. They discuss their recent protest efforts in the districts of state legislators who, at the behest of National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers affiliates, have all but eviscerated Gov. Dan Malloy’s school reform plans.

You can listen to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes, Blubrry, Zune Marketplace and PodBean. Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader.

Disclosure: Dropout Nation Editor RiShawn Biddle is a member of the Connecticut Parents Union’s advisory board.

]]> http://dropoutnation.net/2012/04/04/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-gwen-samuel-and-hartford-parents-on-the-importance-of-parent-power/feed/ 0 On this month's Conversation, Editor RiShawn Biddle chats with Connecticut Parents Union President Gwen Samuel and mothers running the Hartford Parents Organization about their efforts to champion school choice and teacher quality reforms in one of Dro... (http://dropoutnation.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/dn_podcast_itunes_logo.png) On this month's Conversation, Editor RiShawn Biddle chats with Connecticut Parents Union President Gwen Samuel and mothers running the Hartford Parents Organization about their efforts to champion school choice and teacher quality reforms in one of Dropout Nation's States to Watch (http://dropoutnation.net/2011/12/28/reforming-american-public-education-in-2012-the-states-to-watch/). They discuss their recent protest efforts in the districts of state legislators who, at the behest of National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers affiliates, have all but eviscerated Gov. Dan Malloy's school reform plans (http://dropoutnation.net/2012/03/27/dan-malloys-moment-of-truth/). You can listen (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/) to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/music/dpn_conversation_gwensamuelparentpower.mp3) directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe  (../category/category/feed/theconversation/)to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=348527760), Blubrry (http://www.blubrry.com/dropoutnation/), Zune Marketplace (http://social.zune.net/podcast/Dropout-Nation/6900e8e7-4e46-45be-a456-570be181ffcf) and PodBean (http://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail?pid=75459). Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader. Disclosure: Dropout Nation Editor RiShawn Biddle is a member of the Connecticut Parents Union’s advisory board. RiShawn Biddle no 24:34 The Conversation at Dropout Nation: Ben Austin on the Importance of Parent Trigger Laws http://dropoutnation.net/2012/03/06/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-ben-austin-on-the-importance-of-parent-trigger-laws/ http://dropoutnation.net/2012/03/06/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-ben-austin-on-the-importance-of-parent-trigger-laws/#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Dropout Nation Editorial Board http://dropoutnation.net/?p=8555  

On this month’s The Conversation, Ben Austin of Parent Revolution chats with Editor RiShawn Biddle about the battle between parents at Desert Trails Elementary School and the Adelanto School District, discusses how Parent Trigger laws can help families play real decision-making roles in education; and opines on the reasons behind the opposition to Parent Power laws from education traditionalists and skepticism from Beltway reformers.

You can listen to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes, Blubrry, Zune Marketplace and PodBean. Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader.

]]> http://dropoutnation.net/2012/03/06/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-ben-austin-on-the-importance-of-parent-trigger-laws/feed/ 1   On this month's The Conversation, Ben Austin of Parent Revolution chats with Editor RiShawn Biddle about the battle between parents at Desert Trails Elementary School and the Adelanto School District, discusses how Parent Trigger laws can help famil...  (http://dropoutnation.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/dn_podcast_itunes_logo.png) On this month's The Conversation (http://dropoutnation.net/category/the-conversation/), Ben Austin of Parent Revolution chats with Editor RiShawn Biddle about the battle between parents at Desert Trails Elementary School and the Adelanto School District, discusses how Parent Trigger laws can help families play real decision-making roles in education; and opines on the reasons behind the opposition to Parent Power laws from education traditionalists and skepticism from Beltway reformers. You can listen (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/) to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/music/dpn_conversation_benaustinonparenttrigger.mp3) directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe  (http://dropoutnation.net/category/category/feed/theconversation/)to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=348527760), Blubrry (http://www.blubrry.com/dropoutnation/), Zune Marketplace (http://social.zune.net/podcast/Dropout-Nation/6900e8e7-4e46-45be-a456-570be181ffcf) and PodBean (http://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail?pid=75459). Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader. RiShawn Biddle no 29:41 The Conversation at Dropout Nation: Michelle Rhee on the Importance of Politics and Grassroots in School Reform http://dropoutnation.net/2011/12/21/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-michelle-rhee-on-the-importance-of-politics-and-grassroots-in-school-reform/ http://dropoutnation.net/2011/12/21/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-michelle-rhee-on-the-importance-of-politics-and-grassroots-in-school-reform/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:01:43 +0000 Dropout Nation Editorial Board http://dropoutnation.net/?p=7448

On this month’s Conversation,  the former D.C. Public Schools chancellor and StudentsFirst founder explains why we need more Wayne Wheelers, Lee Atwaters, and James Carvilles for advancing reform, the need to build stronger ties with grassroots, and why reform-minded younger teachers will have to look outside of the NEA and AFT to overhaul American public education. She also talks about what she would have done differently during her tenure overhauling what was once the Superfund Site of traditional districts.

You can listen to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes, Blubrry, the Education Podcast Network,  Zune Marketplace and PodBean. Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader.

]]> http://dropoutnation.net/2011/12/21/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-michelle-rhee-on-the-importance-of-politics-and-grassroots-in-school-reform/feed/ 2 On this month's Conversation,  the former D.C. Public Schools chancellor and StudentsFirst founder explains why we need more Wayne Wheelers, Lee Atwaters, and James Carvilles for advancing reform, the need to build stronger ties with grassroots, (http://dropoutnation.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/conversationdropoutnation_itunes_cover.png) On this month's Conversation, (http://dropoutnation.net/category/the-conversation/)  the former D.C. Public Schools chancellor and StudentsFirst founder explains why we need more Wayne Wheelers, Lee Atwaters, and James Carvilles for advancing reform, the need to build stronger ties with grassroots, and why reform-minded younger teachers will have to look outside of the NEA and AFT to overhaul American public education. She also talks about what she would have done differently during her tenure overhauling what was once the Superfund Site of traditional districts. You can listen (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/) to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/music/dpn_conversation_michellerheeeducationpolitics_12212011.mp3) directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe (../category/feed/theconversation/)to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=348527760), Blubrry (http://www.blubrry.com/dropoutnation/), the Education Podcast Network (http://epnweb.org/index.php?request_id=3369&openpod=20#anchor20),  Zune Marketplace (http://social.zune.net/podcast/Dropout-Nation/6900e8e7-4e46-45be-a456-570be181ffcf) and PodBean (http://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail?pid=75459). Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader. RiShawn Biddle no 25:16 The Conversation at Dropout Nation: Joel Klein on Urban School Reform and Digital Learning http://dropoutnation.net/2011/11/23/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-joel-klein-on-urban-school-reform-and-digital-learning/ http://dropoutnation.net/2011/11/23/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-joel-klein-on-urban-school-reform-and-digital-learning/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:01:50 +0000 Dropout Nation Editorial Board http://dropoutnation.net/?p=6948

On this month’s Conversation, the former New York City schools chancellor talks about the obstacles to launching and sustaining urban reform, expresses dismay with the conversation over reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act, and discusses the promise of blended and digital learning.

You can listen to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes, Blubrry, the Education Podcast Network,  Zune Marketplace and PodBean. Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader.

]]> http://dropoutnation.net/2011/11/23/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-joel-klein-on-urban-school-reform-and-digital-learning/feed/ 1 On this month's Conversation, the former New York City schools chancellor talks about the obstacles to launching and sustaining urban reform, expresses dismay with the conversation over reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act, (http://dropoutnation.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/conversationdropoutnation_itunes_cover.png) On this month's Conversation, the former New York City schools chancellor talks about the obstacles to launching and sustaining urban reform, expresses dismay with the conversation over reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act, and discusses the promise of blended and digital learning. You can listen (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/) to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/music/dpn_conversation_joelkleinurbanreformdigitallearning_11232011.mp3) directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe (../feed/theconversation/)to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=348527760), Blubrry (http://www.blubrry.com/dropoutnation/), the Education Podcast Network (http://epnweb.org/index.php?request_id=3369&openpod=20#anchor20),  Zune Marketplace (http://social.zune.net/podcast/Dropout-Nation/6900e8e7-4e46-45be-a456-570be181ffcf) and PodBean (http://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail?pid=75459). Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader. RiShawn Biddle no 26:50 The Conversation at Dropout Nation: NCTQ’s Arthur McKee on Reforming Ed Schools http://dropoutnation.net/2011/09/28/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-nctqs-arthur-mckee-on-reforming-ed-schools/ http://dropoutnation.net/2011/09/28/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-nctqs-arthur-mckee-on-reforming-ed-schools/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:03:18 +0000 RiShawn Biddle http://dropoutnation.net/?p=6276

On this special Conversation with Editor RiShawn Biddle, Arthur McKee of the National Council on Teacher Quality offers an opposing view on Dropout Nation‘s commentaries on the future of ed schools. While he defends the need for their existence, McKee also argues that their efforts in teacher training and education research are sorely in need of reform.

You can listen to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes, Blubrry, the Education Podcast Network,  Zune Marketplace and PodBean. Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader.

]]> http://dropoutnation.net/2011/09/28/the-conversation-at-dropout-nation-nctqs-arthur-mckee-on-reforming-ed-schools/feed/ 0 On this special Conversation with Editor RiShawn Biddle, Arthur McKee of the National Council on Teacher Quality offers an opposing view on Dropout Nation's commentaries on the future of ed schools. While he defends the need for their existence, (http://dropoutnation.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/conversationdropoutnation_itunes_cover.png) On this special Conversation with Editor RiShawn Biddle, Arthur McKee of the National Council on Teacher Quality (http://nctq.org) offers an opposing view on Dropout Nation's commentaries (http://dropoutnation.net/2011/09/14/the-end-of-ed-schools-and-teacher-credentialing/) on the future of ed schools (http://dropoutnation.net/2011/09/16/more-on-the-end-of-ed-schools/). While he defends the need for their existence, McKee also argues that their efforts in teacher training and education research are sorely in need of reform. You can listen (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/) to the Podcast at RiShawn Biddle’s radio page or download (http://rishawnbiddle.org/RRB/media/MusicBox/music/dpn_conversation_arthurmckeeedschools_09282011.mp3) directly to your iPod, Zune, MP3 player, smartphone, Nook Color or Kindle.  Also, subscribe (http://dropoutnation.net/feed/theconversation/)to the Conversation podcast series and the overall Dropout Nation Podcast series. It is also available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=348527760), Blubrry (http://www.blubrry.com/dropoutnation/), the Education Podcast Network (http://epnweb.org/index.php?request_id=3369&openpod=20#anchor20),  Zune Marketplace (http://social.zune.net/podcast/Dropout-Nation/6900e8e7-4e46-45be-a456-570be181ffcf) and PodBean (http://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail?pid=75459). Also download to your phone with BlackBerry podcast software and Google Reader. RiShawn Biddle no 17:52