Policy Changes Lives, an ExcelinEd podcast

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Christy Hovanetz, ExcelinEd senior policy fellow, sits down with Chad Aldeman, education analyst, author and founder of ReadNotGuess.com, to explore why school accountability remains essential to improving student outcomes. Drawing on Aldeman's extensive research and experience in education policy, the conversation examines how assessments, school performance measures and transparent reporting help states understand whether students are learning and schools are delivering results.As states confront persistent achievement gaps and declining academic performance among many students, Hovanetz and Aldeman discuss what effective accountability systems should accomplish and how policymakers can use student achievement data to guide decisions and strengthen schools. The episode also previews the upcoming launch of AccountabilityMatters.org, a new ExcelinEd resource examining school accountability policies and results across all 50 states.For state policymakers and education leaders, the conversation reinforces an important principle: accountability is about more than measuring performance. It's about setting clear expectations, making results transparent and using that information to drive improvements that help every student succeed.Remember to join the conversation on social media too. ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram ExcelinEd on Facebook ExcelinEd on BlueSky ExcelinEd on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Justine Morina, ExcelinEd senior policy director of teacher and school policy, sits down with Mike Miles, superintendent of Houston Independent School District, to explore how states can better recognize, reward and retain highly effective teachers. Drawing on his experience leading teacher compensation reforms in Dallas and Houston, Miles discusses how strategic compensation can strengthen teacher retention, support school improvement and expand students' access to excellent educators. The conversation examines Texas' Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA), a statewide program that rewards effective teachers with increased compensation while directing additional funding to high-need and rural schools. Miles shares insights on implementing performance-based compensation, measuring teacher effectiveness, building educator support and using strategic staffing as part of broader school turnaround efforts. For state policymakers and education leaders, the episode offers a closer look at how thoughtful teacher compensation policies can help districts attract and retain talented educators, strengthen classroom instruction and improve student outcomes. Remember to join the conversation on social media too. ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram ExcelinEd on Facebook ExcelinEd on BlueSky ExcelinEd on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Dr. Kymyona Burk, ExcelinEd senior policy fellow of literacy, sits down with Jeanne Schopf, a veteran K–12 educator, literacy coach, reading specialist and interventionist, to explore why improving literacy policy cannot stop in the early grades. Drawing on more than three decades of experience and her work on structured literacy, explicit instruction and the Science of Reading, Schopf discusses what it takes to help adolescent students who may still be developing the reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. As more states turn their attention to secondary literacy, the conversation examines how the needs of older readers connect to—and differ from—those of early learners. Schopf also shares insights from Reading Isn’t Optional: Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students, highlighting the importance of sustained, evidence-based instruction and support throughout a student’s education. The conversation explores the policy levers and instructional practices state leaders can use to build comprehensive literacy systems that extend beyond the elementary years. For policymakers and educators, the episode offers an important reminder: the promise of literacy must extend through every grade, ensuring students have the reading skills they need to access rigorous coursework, graduate prepared and succeed in life. Remember to join the conversation on social media too. ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram ExcelinEd on Facebook ExcelinEd on BlueSky ExcelinEd on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, hosts Ben DeGrow, ExcelinEd senior policy director of education choice, and Abby Burrola, ExcelinEd associate director of education choice policy, sit down with Luke Ragland, Daniels Fund Chief Impact Officer and former president of Ready Colorado, to explore how states can put the new federal scholarship tax credit program into action. Ragland breaks down the basic parameters of the 2025 federal law and recent guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department, including what states need to consider as they decide whether to participate and establish certification processes for scholarship-granting organizations. The conversation takes a closer look at the state-level infrastructure needed to make the program work effectively, from building scholarship-granting organization capacity to establishing appropriate oversight and ensuring fiscal integrity. Ragland also explores how states can design implementation to serve students across public and private education, expand access to greater educational opportunity and integrate federal tax-credit donations with existing programs, such as education savings accounts and state tax-credit scholarships. The discussion offers practical considerations for state leaders navigating a new federal opportunity while building on the choice programs already serving families. For policymakers, educators and advocates, the episode highlights an important opportunity: effective implementation will depend not only on making the federal tax credit available, but on creating the state systems, safeguards and partnerships needed to ensure scholarship dollars reach students and expand meaningful educational options. Remember to join the conversation on social media too. ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram ExcelinEd on Facebook ExcelinEd on BlueSky ExcelinEd on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host and ExcelinEd Math Policy Director Tim Flatley sits down with Steve Hood, Assistant Commissioner of Academic Affairs for the Utah System of Higher Education, to explore a critical question for students and policymakers: Is high school math really preparing students for what comes next? As states rethink traditional math sequences and develop multiple pathways for students with different college and career goals, Hood explains why those pathways must connect to the expectations students encounter in higher education—and why a pathway is only successful if it opens doors rather than becoming a dead end. Hood shares lessons from Utah’s work to strengthen math pathways and improve the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The conversation explores the role of early college math, opportunities to earn meaningful college credit, guaranteed admissions and the importance of helping students understand where different math pathways can lead. Hood also discusses Utah’s efforts to help more students enter college-level math with the support they need to succeed, including the use of co-requisite support and data to measure whether reforms are actually improving student outcomes. This episode explores when K-12 and higher education leaders work together to align expectations, create clear pathways and provide meaningful opportunities for students to move into college-level work, states can give students more choices while keeping future college and career opportunities open. Remember to join the conversation on social media too. ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram ExcelinEd on Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.