Season 2 Episode 5

Transforming Struggling Schools – All of the Above Season 2 Episode 5

In the wealthiest nation on earth, why do we STILL have schools in crisis? We begin this episode with a review of recent education news about ADHD diagnoses, a big financial aid boost in CA, and a BIG geography fail in DC. We’re then joined by three heavyweights in the field of education from the Partnership for L.A. Schools for an honest conversation about why school transformation is so difficult. If schools are a bedrock public institution and we already spend billions on them, then why have we had such a hard time helping our most struggling schools improve?

EXTENDED CUT: Why is it so difficult to transform struggling schools?

Here’s the full, extended video of the seminar discussion featured in Episode 5. We’re joined by three heavyweights in the field of education from the Partnership for L.A. Schools for an honest conversation about why school transformation is so difficult. If schools are a bedrock public institution and we already spend billions on them, then why have we had such a hard time helping our most struggling schools improve? Joan Sullivan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership for L.A. Schools, Ryan J. Smith is the Chief External Officer of the Partnership, and Dr. Ian Guidera is the Chief Academic Officer of the Partnership.

HEADLINES IN EDUCATION

Jeff and Manuel examine recent headlines in education. A Harvard study shows that enrolling early in school may increase a child’s risk of being diagnosed with ADHD, California considers a major expansion in its financial aid offerings, and a marriage clerk in D.C. seems to have never learned that New Mexico is indeed a state.

Championing Public Schools: A Conversation with Joan Sullivan

Joan Sullivan is the Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. She previously served as Los Angeles’ Deputy Mayor of Education, where she worked closely with the superintendent and school board to support the nation’s second largest school district. Before coming to Los Angeles Joan was the founding principal of a high-performing public secondary school in the South Bronx, one of New York City’s highest-poverty community districts. She is the author of a memoir titled An American Voter, which chronicles her time working on the Bill Bradley 2000 presidential campaign.

Angelic Troublemaker: A Conversation with Ryan J. Smith

Ryan Smith is the Chief External Officer of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. He has just recently returned to the organization after serving as its founding Director of the Family and Community Engagement Team where he launched the Partnership’s renowned Parent College program. For the past four years Ryan was the Executive Director of the Education Trust-West and Vice President of Strategic Advocacy at the Education Trust, an education civil rights organization dedicated to closing opportunity gap.

LINK: The Majority Report: Supporting the Success of Latino Students in California

LINK: Black Minds Matter: Supporting the Educational Success of Black Children in California­­­­­­

In Pursuit of Equity: A Conversation with Dr. Ian Guidera

Dr. Ian Guidera is the Chief Academic Officer of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. In a 20+ year career in education he has taught every grade and subject in the K-8 pipeline both in Maryland and in Los Angeles. He has also served as a middle school principal in South Los Angeles and previously directed the School District Turnaround Center for West Ed, helping districts and states across the country work to transform struggling schools.