Episode 1- Addressing Educational Inequities in the wake of Covid-19 is in three parts.
- richardlong1854
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
Description: This episode will examine how the COVID-19 pandemic widened longstanding educational inequities and what it will take to address them. Part 1 is an interview with Gloria Ladson-Billings and Michael Feuer on the purpose of the National Academy of Education Commissioning three papers to examine significant issues impacting schools and learning environments in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Panelists: Gloria Ladson-Billings, Michael Feuer.
Bios:
Gloria Ladson-Billings: Gloria Ladson-Billings is Professor Emerita and former Kellner Family Distinguished Chair in Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is a past President of AERA, a member of the National Academy of Education, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is best known for her groundbreaking work on culturally relevant pedagogy and for introducing the concept of the “educational debt” as a reframing of achievement gaps. Her influential books include The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children. Ladson-Billings’ leadership and scholarship illustrate how SoLD and culturally responsive teaching intersect to promote equity, belonging, and transformative learning.
Michael Feuer: Michael J. Feuer, Ph.D., is Dean of the Graduate School of Education and Human Development and Professor of Education Policy at George Washington University, where he also holds appointments in public policy and international affairs. He is a past President of the National Academy of Education, a past President of the Society for Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Educational Research Association. Feuer has served on numerous National Academies committees and on the Board of International Comparative Studies at the U.S. Department of Education. His scholarship addresses education policy, methodology, and the science of learning and development, with a strong focus on equity. He has authored multiple books and articles.
The second part of the episode is an interview with Rich Long, of former West Virginia Governor Bob Wise. In this interview, the Governor will explore how politics, policy, and pedagogy interrelate. Additionally, Wise will explore three enormous changes that are impacting our schools and communities, as well as provide better ideas on how to work in a highly charged political environment.
Bob Wise: Bob Wise is the former Governor of West Virginia and past President of the Alliance for Excellent Education. At the Alliance, he launched Future Ready Schools, which supports school districts in integrating digital learning to expand equity and opportunity. Wise also helped lead the Global Science of Learning Education Network, connecting researchers, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide to translate the science of learning into practice. His leadership reflects a lifelong commitment to ensuring all students can thrive in a changing society through equitable access to high-quality learning environments.
In the third part of the first episode, David Osher interviews and discusses with Scott Palmer, the managing partner of EducationCounsel, the formation of the Science of Learning and Development Alliance, and how the wake of COVID-19 is impacting schools. Additionally, he shares his insights into how quickly AI has become a major agent in all of our learning environments.
Scott Palmer: Scott Palmer, J.D., is a Founding Partner at EducationCounsel, where he leads work on equity, accountability, and systems change. He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education and was Senior Legal and Policy Advisor for the White House Initiative on Race. Palmer has advised school districts, states, and national organizations on civil rights and education equity issues, including on initiatives that apply the science of learning and development to create equitable, thriving school systems. His work bridges law, policy, and practice to dismantle disparities and foster robust learning opportunities.
Transcripts - AI has generated all transcripts, and some of the names cited and punctuation used have been distorted.
Part 1 - Transcript
Part 2 - Transcript
Part 3 - Transcript
References related to Session # 1 –
Links to the commissioned papers by the National Academy of Education
Description of the project that resulted in the commissioned papers and reports from discussions
Book by Michael Feuer cited in podcast – Can Schools Save Democracy? Civics education and the common good.
Scott Palmer referred to a set of 2017 meetings – this is the report
Materials following the discussion of the Science of Learning and Development: