K-12 Public Education Insights: Empowering Parents of Color — Trends, Tactics, and Topics That Impact POC

Kim J. Fields

Raising kids can be tough! I know because I’ve been a single mom who raised two kids on my own. And when they get in the K-12 public education system, learning the ins and outs of that system can get you all tangled up, especially when you’re a parent of color (POC). You need to be aware of the current trends, tactics, and topics, as well as the necessary resources to navigate within the system. That’s what the K-12 Public Education Insights: Empowering Parents of Color podcast is all about — providing you with tools, information, and practical actions to help you and your children succeed within the complexities of K-12 public education.

  1. 15H AGO

    Episode 167: They Banned The Dictionary, And Other Wild Book Ban Updates

    "Send me a Text Message!" When a school district pulls 1,600 titles—including the dictionary—you know the fight over books is about more than pages on a shelf. I update you on the latest in the fast-changing world of K-12 book bans, the rise of state-level Freedom to Read laws, and the real-world impact on students, families, and the librarians tasked with navigating it all. Along the way, I unpack surprising parent survey data, eye-opening court rulings, and the hidden mechanics of how school libraries choose, fund, and defend their collections. I start with clarity: which states have passed protections, what these laws actually require, and why some districts still default to removals. From there, I trace legal whiplash that leaves educators cautious and kids with fewer choices. Then I step behind the circulation desk to show how librarians vet titles through professional reviews, committee approvals, and district sign-offs—despite shrinking budgets, sparse state aid, and entire schools with no librarian at all. The picture is stark: unequal access means millions of students, especially in high-poverty and majority-minority districts, miss the literacy boosts and research skills that strong libraries deliver. Parents aren’t a monolith. Large majorities trust librarians to select age-appropriate materials, yet many still want clearer permissions and notifications. That tension fuels a chilling effect that shapes what gets purchased, displayed, or quietly avoided. I offer a path forward that swaps bans for trust-building: six practical moves to make libraries welcoming, diverse, curriculum-connected, community-partnered, and advocacy-ready. I also share classroom strategies for courageous conversations that teach students to listen, question, and hold complexity without shutting down inquiry. If you care about literacy, equity, and the freedom to read, this conversation brings together the policy, the data, and the everyday solutions. Listen, share with a friend, and tell me what values you want your school to champion. If this resonated, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on to someone who needs to hear it. Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    37 min

  2. FEB 17

    Episode 166: Algebra 1 Is Not A Secret Club; It Is A Prerequisite

    "Send me a Text Message!" One course can open an entire future. I dig into why Algebra 1 functions as a true gatekeeper in K–12, how early placement unlocks advanced math pathways, and why high-performing Black and Latino students are still less likely to access eighth-grade algebra—even in the same schools and with scores similar to those of their peers. Drawing on new NWEA and AMES findings, I trace where the pipeline narrows: course availability, biased placement processes, teacher preparation, and the tendency of high-poverty schools to spend more time below grade level. I also look at solutions that actually move numbers. Automatic enrollment policies that place prepared students into eighth-grade Algebra 1—unless families opt out—are raising participation in North Carolina and Texas. The takeaway is clear: policies must follow students, and readiness must be built early so that data-driven placement reflects real potential. Readiness starts long before middle school. I highlight predecessor skills that predict Algebra 1 success and explain why targeted tutoring and extended learning blocks matter. I share how early algebraic thinking in grades 3-5, centered on generalization, equivalence, and functional relationships, gives kids a head start without heavy symbolism. Along the way, I offer simple, practical ways for families to foster math literacy at home. If you want a clearer path for your child or your students—more access, fewer barriers, and instruction that builds true understanding—this conversation is a roadmap. Subscribe, share with another parent or educator, and leave a review to help more families find these insights. Then tell me: should schools automatically enroll prepared kids in eighth-grade algebra? Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    29 min

  3. FEB 10

    Episode 165: When Fewer Days Promise More — Do Schools Actually Deliver?

    "Send me a Text Message!" Four days of school, five days of life: the tradeoff sounds tempting, but what actually happens to learning, families, and neighborhoods when districts make the switch? I dig into the latest research on four-day school weeks to separate proven benefits from wishful thinking, and  I map out smart guardrails that keep students at the center. I start with the “why”: districts once shaved a day to trim budgets, but today many leaders chase teacher recruitment and retention. From there, I unpack student outcomes. Achievement results are mixed and depend on one variable above all: total instructional time.  Families feel the shift in real ways. Many parents and students report higher morale, more rest, and fewer discipline issues. Yet structured options on the off day are scarce, leaving low-income households to shoulder child care costs and lost access to meals. Equity questions intensify for at-risk students and those with special needs.  I also surface an overlooked impact: home values can fall 2–4% in areas adopting four-day schedules compared with neighboring five-day districts, likely tied to new child care costs and perceived academic risk. If your community is considering a shorter week, design is everything. Protect core instructional minutes, schedule literacy and math earlier in the day, and fund fifth-day supports like tutoring, supervised study halls, and meal access. Track achievement, attendance, and behavior monthly, and course-correct fast. Pair calendar changes with real investments in teacher support and planning time.  Want to help shape the future of your district? Listen, share with a neighbor, and tell me your experience with four-day weeks. Subscribe, leave a review, and send me a message with your questions and stories. Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    30 min

  4. FEB 3

    Episode 164: Students Are Quiet Quitting in School

    "Send me a Text Message!" What if the rise of “quiet quitting” isn’t just about the workplace, but also the classroom? I dig into why so many teens are doing the bare minimum, why homework time has plunged since 2021, and how parents and educators can turn the tide with strategies that actually stick. Drawing on current data, lived experience as a parent and researcher, and proven frameworks, I connect the dots between motivation, belonging, and achievement in a way that’s practical and hopeful. I start by unpacking what quiet quitting looks like for students: present in class but emotionally elsewhere, completing tasks without curiosity or pride. Then I trace the roots—shifting homework policies, AI confusion, grading changes, and a broader cultural slide in engagement—and show why relationships are the hidden engine of effort. Students learn best when work feels authentic, when they feel like respected members of a school community, and when they can see themselves succeeding. High expectations, paired with support, transform compliance into commitment. Parents leave this discussion with concrete steps to make homework equitable and motivating: confirm understanding, aim for quality, coordinate with teachers for purpose-driven tasks, and add simple, reinforcing practice at home. When learning is designed for authenticity, belonging, and competence, students rediscover purpose and progress. If this resonated, follow the show, subscribe, and share it with a friend or parent who cares about K‑12 success. Your review and your stories help more families find strategies that work—what’s one approach you’ll try this week? Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    34 min

  5. JAN 27

    Episode 163: Your Kid’s “Tutor” Might Be Making Them Dumber

    "Send me a Text Message!" AI is showing up in every corner of K‑12—from lesson planning and grading to chat-based “tutors” that promise instant help. I pull back the curtain on what gets lost when schools rush in without guardrails: weakened critical thinking, strained teacher-student connection, and new safety threats like deepfakes that can spread faster than adults can respond. You’ll hear what the data actually say, why many districts still lack clear policies, and how missteps can happen. I share how teachers and students use AI differently, where hallucinations and bias creep in, and why academic integrity now lives in a gray zone. Then we get practical. I outline simple, high-impact habits for families: treat AI as a brainstorming companion, build healthy skepticism into every prompt, and bring the human elements—curiosity, empathy, voice—back to the center. For educators, I focus on embedding AI literacy inside real subjects, using models to draft, critique, and verify ideas rather than shortcut the thinking itself. This conversation is for parents who want clarity, teachers who want workable guardrails, and anyone who cares about keeping learning human while still preparing students for an AI-shaped future. By the end, you’ll have a grounded view of risks, a playbook for safer use, and a checklist districts can adopt. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a parent or educator who needs it, and leave a review with your take: where should schools draw the line with AI? Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    28 min

  6. JAN 20

    Episode 162: Why Joy, Not Tests, Instills a Love of Learning in Children

    "Send me a Text Message!" Love of learning gets printed on mission statements, but too often gets lost in classrooms filled with scripts, worksheets, and test prep. I pull back the curtain on what the phrase actually means—an enduring, intrinsic joy in the act of learning—and how parents can help children move from fleeting curiosity to steady, self-driven growth. I start by drawing a clear line between curiosity and a true love of learning. Curiosity can be satisfied quickly; love of learning persists through challenge and rewards the process, not just the product. From there, I look at school culture: why joy, safety, and belonging are not extras but essentials for attention, memory, and resilience. I also explore the developmental dip in confidence that often arrives around second or third grade, and what adults can do to protect motivation through those years. Parents play a pivotal role. I discuss how values at home—reading for pleasure, modeling hobbies, honoring questions—shape a child’s identity as a learner. I examine the interplay of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, the power of self-efficacy, and the impact of responsive parenting on curiosity. To make this practical, I share five simple, high-impact strategies to instill a love of learning in your children. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with one way you spark curiosity at home. Your stories help other families grow a lasting love of learning. Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    26 min

  7. JAN 13

    Episode 161: From Engagement To Involvement — How Parents Of Color Drive K-12 Success

    "Send me a Text Message!" When grades lag and motivation dips, waiting for a quarterly report card is like checking the weather after the storm. I explore practical, research-backed ways parents of color can transform school engagement into true involvement that improves achievement, confidence, and attendance. Drawing on post-pandemic data and lived experience, I map out a clear plan: request weekly skill-level updates, leverage out-of-school time programs aligned with classroom goals, and build mentoring relationships that help students feel seen and capable. I share compelling results from after-school and summer initiatives that have boosted GPA, assessment scores, and daily attendance—especially in high-poverty schools. You’ll hear how targeted enrichment, from STEM to arts, accelerates learning while building social skills and joy. I also spotlight a community-driven approach from Long Beach Unified, where the Black Student Achievement Initiative and the Center for Black Excellence address identity, wellness, advocacy, and intergenerational wisdom to create environments where students can thrive. Parenting style matters, too. I break down how to apply one particular parenting style at home with simple routines, clear boundaries, and opportunities for student choice that build independence. Layer in a mentor who sets goals and checks progress, and you create a durable support system that turns short-term wins into long-term growth. If you’re ready to replace uncertainty with a plan, this guide gives you the steps to start today: ask better questions, choose better programs, and lead with care and clarity.  Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help more families find these tools. What’s the first change you’ll make this week? Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    23 min

  8. 12/16/2025

    Episode 160: Your Kid’s 'A' Might Be Lying, And So Is The Homework

    "Send me a Text Message!" Grades shape futures, but do they measure what a student actually knows—or how well they play the points game? I take a hard look at why traditional grading often blends behavior, compliance, and access to resources with academic mastery, creating signals that mislead families, fuel bias, and widen gaps. Drawing on current research and classroom experience, I break down how equitable grading centers learning with proportional scales, retakes, and a focus on recent performance, making grades more accurate, bias-resistant, and motivating. I walk through the mechanics: moving from 0–100 to 0–4 to avoid the punishing weight of zeros, separating soft skills from academic evidence, and building transparency with standards-aligned rubrics and simplified gradebooks. You’ll hear how these shifts reduce Ds and Fs, lower classroom stress, and strengthen trust between teachers and students. I also address the pushback—fears of lowered standards, confusion about change, and top-down mandates—and explain why clear communication and collaborative rollout matter more than ever. For parents and caregivers, I offer a practical script to start a productive conversation with teachers: ask for their grade meaning statement, review how mastery is determined, and clarify how retakes and recent learning are weighed. For educators and leaders, I highlight steps to align on what a grade should mean, report mastery consistently, and coach soft skills without hiding them inside letter grades. If grades are a compass, accuracy is non-negotiable—and equity is the calibration that makes the compass point true North. Subscribe, share with a friend who cares about fair grading, and leave a review with your take: Should grades measure learning, behavior, or both? Love my show? Consider being a regular subscriber! Just go to https://tinyurl.com/podcastsupport.  Support the show Thanks for listening! For more information about the show, episodes, and ways to support, check out these websites: https://k12educationinsights.buzzsprout.com or https: //www.liberationthrougheducation.com/podcast Subscribe on Buzzsprout to receive a shout out on an upcoming episode You can also support me with ratings, kind words of encouragement, and by sharing this podcast with friends and family Contact me with any specific questions you have at: kim@liberationthrougheducation.com

    33 min
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About

Raising kids can be tough! I know because I’ve been a single mom who raised two kids on my own. And when they get in the K-12 public education system, learning the ins and outs of that system can get you all tangled up, especially when you’re a parent of color (POC). You need to be aware of the current trends, tactics, and topics, as well as the necessary resources to navigate within the system. That’s what the K-12 Public Education Insights: Empowering Parents of Color podcast is all about — providing you with tools, information, and practical actions to help you and your children succeed within the complexities of K-12 public education.

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