Old School, New School, Next School with Dom Giordano

Giordano Productions, LLC.

Dom Giordano examines school choice, parental rights, academic standards and the future of American education.

  1. 5h ago

    Kathy Barnette on Reading, Parents and the Mississippi Miracle | Episode 74

    In this pre-election episode, Dom Giordano argues that school choice and parental rights should be decisive issues for voters. He also examines Pennsylvania's new bell-to-bell school cell phone restrictions and explains "aliteracy"—the ability to read without developing the habit of reading. Dom is joined by radio host and former U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Barnette for a discussion of the F3 Forum in Philadelphia and the question at its center: Can Philadelphia replicate the Mississippi Miracle? Barnette describes the barriers facing children, the need for parents and communities to take responsibility, and why she believes local school-board involvement matters. The conversation later turns to Pennsylvania's 2026 elections, including the Scott Perry–Janelle Stelson congressional race and the Josh Shapiro–Stacey Garrity governor's race, as well as campaign funding, debate strategy and grassroots organizing. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and the pre-election stakes 02:06 Pennsylvania's bell-to-bell cell phone ban 02:34 Aliteracy and why reading practice matters 04:02 Introducing Kathy Barnette 05:44 Can Philadelphia replicate the Mississippi Miracle? 06:22 Community, parenting and the barriers children face 08:06 Daniel Patrick Moynihan and government programs 09:44 Reading as a path to redemption 11:07 Parents, school boards and teachers unions 13:59 Pennsylvania's 2026 congressional races 16:38 Josh Shapiro, Stacey Garrity and campaign strategy 19:18 Where to follow Kathy Barnette 20:53 Closing thoughts Referenced material and guest links: Pennsylvania Governor's Office, "Gov. Shapiro Signs Bell-to-Bell Ban into Law": https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/gov--shapiro-signs-bell-to-bell-ban-into-law--students-learn-wit Kathy Barnette, "The F3 Forum: Faith, Family & the Future of Education in America": https://kathybarnette.substack.com/p/its-official-our-2nd-annual-conference Kathy Barnette on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kathy4Truth Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Maximum Feasible Misunderstanding: https://books.google.com/books/about/maximum_feasible_misunderstanding.html?id=E6VlFX1mkBkC Send questions and observations to domshow@aol.com. More episodes: https://oldschoolnewschool.com

  2. 6d ago

    A New Democratic Recruit in the Battle for School Choice | Episode 73

    Dom Giordano examines a notable new voice in the school-choice debate: Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida. Drawing on Moskowitz's argument for the new federal tax-credit scholarship program, Dom discusses antisemitism in schools, the safety concerns facing Jewish families and why parents need meaningful education options. Dom also looks at pressure on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to decide whether the state will participate in the federal program, makes the case for open enrollment across public-school districts and asks why Philadelphia and other large cities have not followed the evidence behind the Mississippi Miracle. Later, Dom responds to neuropsychologist Katie Davis's warning that some families and private schools are turning learning-disability diagnoses and test accommodations into a competitive advantage. He argues that genuine disabilities deserve support—but that gaming the system lowers standards for everyone. Referenced reporting and commentary: Wall Street Journal, "A Democrat Convert to School Choice," by Jared Moskowitz (discussed in Commonwealth Partners' October 20 News & Brews): https://thecommonwealthpartners.com/2026/10/21/news-brews-october-20-2026/ Chalkbeat Philadelphia, "Shapiro faces mounting pressure to opt Pennsylvania into federal education tax credits": https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2026/10/15/shapiro-facing-pressure-to-opt-in-to-trump-education-tax-credit-program/ Reason Foundation, "How to improve public schools and give tens of millions of families school choice": https://reason.org/commentary/how-to-improve-public-schools-and-give-tens-of-millions-of-families-school-choice/ The Free Press, "No, Your Kid Probably Doesn't Need Extra Time on Their Tests": https://www.thefp.com/p/neuropsychologist-test-accomodations-kids Send questions and observations to domshow@aol.com. More episodes: https://oldschoolnewschool.com

  3. Oct 16

    The Nashville Grade-Fixing Allegations | Dr. Howard Jones | Episode 72

    What does a diploma mean if a student has not mastered the work? Dom Giordano talks with Dr. Howard Jones, a former assistant principal and grading principal at Nashville’s Stratford High School, about his allegations of grade manipulation, questionable credit-recovery practices, and pressure to improve graduation rates. Jones describes what he says he found while auditing grades, including an eight-minute math assessment, and discusses retaliation, accountability, and why he chose to speak out. Dom compares the concerns with graduation pathways in Philadelphia and asks what parents, teachers, and school boards should demand. Also in this episode: Dom’s commentary on federal tax-credit scholarships, state participation in school choice, New York, the Texas debate, and charter schools. The Nashville allegations were covered in WSMV4’s “Making the Grade” investigation. In a subsequent message to families reported by WSMV4, Stratford principal Michael Pratt said he was committed to academic integrity and grades that accurately reflect student performance. Referenced reporting: WSMV4 investigation · Principal’s response Send questions and observations to domshow@aol.com. More episodes: oldschoolnewschool.com

  4. Oct 8

    School Fraud, Four-Day Weeks & the New School-Choice Tax Credit | Episode 71

    Dom Giordano examines a week of education controversies and what they mean for parents, students, and school choice. Episode 71 covers allegations involving Philadelphia enrollment figures and truancy rolls; WSMV4’s investigation into alleged grade manipulation at Nashville’s Stratford High School; Upper Darby’s proposed four-day school week; Newark school spending; and newly released details about the federal tax-credit scholarship program scheduled to begin in 2027. Dom also previews next week’s planned interview with Dr. Howard Jones, the former Stratford High School assistant principal featured in WSMV4’s reporting. Send tips and responses to domshow@aol.com. Referenced reporting: WSMV4 Investigates, “Former asst. principal says fake classes were created at Nashville high school to help students graduate”.

  5. Oct 1

    Who’s Dumbing Down America? Grade Inflation and the Diploma Problem

    What does a high school diploma mean if students leave without the skills it is supposed to represent? In Episode 70, Dom Giordano takes on grade inflation, alternative graduation pathways, and the policies he argues are accelerating the dumbing down of America. He discusses teachers’ unions and classroom activism, Philadelphia’s graduation standards, New York’s move away from Regents exams, California students’ college math readiness, and governors’ decisions on school-choice funding. Dom also highlights South Carolina’s response to minimum-grade policies and makes the case for stronger standards, parental rights, and school choice. Old School, New School, Next School with Dom Giordano · Episode 70 Share your education stories and listener tips: domshow@aol.com.

  6. Sep 24

    The 1619 Project Strikes Again—This Time, It’s Education

    Dom examines Nikole Hannah-Jones’s account of her daughter’s experience in a struggling New York City public school, contrasts PS 307 with nearby Community Roots Charter School, and argues that school choice—not more spending—is the lesson. He also looks at New York’s move away from Regents exams and why Mississippi may need a “Moonshot” after its early literacy gains.

  7. Sep 17

    Inside Mississippi’s Reading Revolution | Dr. Kymyona Burk

    Former Mississippi literacy director Dr. Kymyona Burk explains how the science of reading, phonics, literacy coaches, third-grade standards and bipartisan policy produced the Mississippi Miracle—and what other states can learn from it.

  8. Sep 10

    School Under Attack: Why Success Academy’s Results Are Being Buried

    Why is the No. 1 school in America being attacked by teachers' union boss Randi Weingarten?     Chapters 00:00 Schools Under Attack 00:48 Success Academy’s Information Blockade 02:54 Why Advanced Placement Scores Matter 03:54 Success Academy’s Extraordinary AP Results 05:15 A Potential Number-One School 07:40 Americans Lose Confidence in Public Schools 08:47 A Trillion Dollars for Public Education 09:07 The Leaders of the NEA and AFT 10:36 Pennsylvania’s School-Choice Stakes 12:06 Senator Kim Ward on Federal School-Choice Funds 15:03 Success Academy and Pennsylvania Compared 16:01 The Mississippi Miracle Playbook 17:47 Closing: Make America Smart Again

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Dom Giordano examines school choice, parental rights, academic standards and the future of American education.

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