WonkyFolk

Feb 20 2025 23 ep. 51 mins 6
WonkyFolk Podcast artwork

WonkyFolk is a discussion series between Andy Rotherham and Jed Wallace intended to provide an informative and engaging forum where education reformers can grapple with tough issues related to our shared quest to improve public education in our country.

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Vol 23 - LIVE: Crazy Times Call For a Stiff Whiskey (Folk)

Feb 20 2025 63 mins  
In this live Washington, D.C. episode, Jed and Andy tackle the early policy shifts of the new Trump administration and what they mean for charter schools, education funding, and equity. They discuss the chaotic rollout of federal budget cuts, block grants, and DEI policies, analyzing how these moves may shape the future of public education—especially in blue states.With federal o

Vol 22 - It Was My Understanding There Would Be No Math

Jan 31 2025 65 mins  
In volume 22, we engage with Karim Ani, the founder of Citizen Math, who shares profound insights into the realm of mathematics education and its implications for democratic discourse. Central to our conversation is Karim's candid reflection on his personal journey, culminating in his decision to retire from American education, a choice influenced by both creative fulfillment and t

Vol 21 - 2024 Lookback, 2025 Forecast, and the Boys Don Their Holiday Best

Dec 19 2024 53 mins  
We missed our November recording due to me coming down with the crud. It left us a lot of ground to cover in a short period of time. Topics we touch upon include:Elections perspective six weeks laterLinda McMahon reactions, including a somewhat surprising lack of acrimony across the political spectrum on her nomination.The biggest story in public education this year - Democrats emb

Vol 20 - The “Just No Steely Dan” Episode - WonkyFolk Theme Music and the Need for a Stronger Education Theme in National Politics

Oct 25 2024 40 mins  
Andy and Jed discuss what the theme music for their podcast should be before shifting to their voting experiences and frustrations with the current political landscape. The conversation delves into polarizing views on education, highlighting voter behavior differences, the impact of California politics, and significant historical events influencing perceptions. The nuances of chart

Vol 19 – The Stamina Episode: Corey DeAngelis melts down, ESA funding questions rise up, Denver succeeds & Don Shalvey inspires.

Sep 26 2024 55 mins  
In this conversation, Andy and Jed discuss a range of topics related to education policies and the role of teacher unions, particularly reflecting on experiences in Oaxaca, Mexico and the United States. Jed shares his observations about the strong presence and activities of teacher unions in Oaxaca, contrasting them with unions in the U.S. The discussion extends to broader issues w

Vol 18 - Jed and Andy Want Freedom from Dysfunction

Aug 30 2024 49 mins  
Andy and Jed explore the intersection of education and politics in a rapidly changing landscape. They start by analyzing the Democratic Party's surprising silence on education during their convention, delving into why education has become a party splitter and how this could affect upcoming elections. The conversation then shifts to Kamala Harris' role and what her presidency might

Vol 17 - At the Edge of Seventeen with Lynne Graziano

May 28 2024 53 mins  
In this thought-provoking episode, Andy Rotherham and Jed Wallace are joined by Lynne Graziano from Bellwether Education Partners to dive deep into the complexities and inconsistencies of adolescent laws across the United States. Using Bellwether's new "Edge of Seventeen" report as a cornerstone, this discussion covers a wide range of topics from the age of consent and marriage law

Vol 16 - Hoodies, the Need to Buck Up, and Getting Crisp

Apr 24 2024 49 mins  
This week Andy and I start out debriefing the ASU-GSV conference and explore why the open and optimistic spirit of that gathering feels so at odds with the vibe that prevails across much of ed reform these days. That leads to a discussion about Andy’s widely read article about ed reformers needing to buck up and realize the progress that has been made in recent decades. 

Vol 15 - Live at the Charter Growth Fund

Mar 07 2024 68 mins  
Jed and Andy record WonkyFolk's first live session as they keynote at the Charter Growth Fund. WonkyFolk's first live episode discusses the vital role of charter schools and civic engagement in advocating for education reform, particularly within African American and Hispanic communities. Jed and Andy delve into policy-making dynamics, the influence of political affiliations on edu

Vol 14 - Jed and Andy Tackle the Hairiest Education Problems

Jan 22 2024 60 mins  
This week, Andy and I are talking about the furries, a fiscal cliff, higher education, and trade schools.You can also watch it on YouTube. Show Notes:https://eduwonk.substack.com/p/theyre-furious-in-oklahoma-plus-baeslerhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/17/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-improving-student-achievement-agenda-in-202