What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. Chavous Stride, Inc.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about ten percent of students in U.S. public schools are English language learners. With this number steadily growing, educators and students are facing challenges highlighting a need to rethink curricula and teaching strategies.  

What are the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students? How can we remedy the challenges they face? And how can our schools create an environment where these students can thrive?   

In this episode, Dr. Robert Scott joins Kevin to discuss how we can best support linguistically diverse students.

According to Feeding America, more than 9 million children faced hunger in 2021. That’s 1 in 8 children.  Children facing hunger are more likely to repeat a grade in elementary school, have social and behavioral problems and experience diminished language and motor skills.  

What impact does nutrition have on learning? How can we encourage nutrition among our students and in our schools? And how can we improve access to healthy food for students and families? 

In this episode, Stephen Ritz joins Kevin to discuss the link between nutrition and learning.

 
 
 

More than 30,000 students across the country are using Education Savings Account programs. Supporters say these programs give families the freedom to pursue education options best suited for their children’s needs. Others say ESAs siphon dollars out of already-struggling public school systems.
What are ESAs? What do they mean for families and for education as a whole? And how can ESAs help families find the best learning environment for their children?
In this episode, Robert Enlow joins Kevin to discuss what families need to know about ESAs.

Since the pandemic, more families are choosing to homeschool their children. In fact, homeschool enrollment has increased by nearly 30 percent. The most dramatic increase was seen with Black families with the number of homeschooled Black children rising from 3 percent to 16 percent in 2020.  
 
Why is homeschooling on the rise? How can families know if homeschooling is right for them? And how can parents use their voice to find the best option for their children?
 
In this episode, Onnikah Randolph joins Kevin to discuss homeschooling and how parents can feel empowered to find the right option for their children.

For years, parents and community leaders relied on standardized test scores and socioeconomic status to determine the quality of a school. But parents – and teachers in the classrooms – have long known those limited factors only tell part of the story.

With an increasing number of school options and data available to families across the U.S., parents are faced with a seemingly endless amount of information when it comes to evaluating what could be right for their child.

What should parents look for when weighing education options for their students? How can community leaders use that data to replicate success? And how can we understand which school options are going to help all children succeed?

In this episode, Jon Deane joins Kevin to discuss how parents can make the right choice for their child’s education.  

 

According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, the number of charter schools and campuses has more than doubled over the last decade, and charter school enrollment has more than tripled, now serving more than 3.5 million students across the U.S.  

What is motivating parents to seek new learning options for their students? What are some obstacles parents face when trying to find the right school for their children, and what resources are available? How can we empower parents to find the right education opportunities for their children, regardless of where they live?  

In this episode, Shree Recasner joins Kevin to discuss how we can empower parents to find the best education option for their children.   

Meet Shree 

Shree Recasner is the vice president of strategic engagement for the Texas Charter Schools Association, a membership organization working to accelerate student achievement in Texas by strengthening and supporting a diverse set of effective public charter schools.  

Previously, Shree served as the national advocacy director for the Black Alliance for Educational Options, where her mission was to actively support parental choice, empower families, and increase quality educational options for Black children.  

Shree has continually advised national organizations and advocacy groups on organizing strategies and tactics for parent and community engagement. 

This is, What I Want to Know.  

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