Gen Z asks: what is school for? Plus, rebranding gentrification

Update: 2024-09-06

Digest

The episode begins by introducing John Cena's diverse career path, transitioning into a discussion about Gen Z students' declining engagement in school. A new study reveals that Gen Z students feel less challenged and engaged in school, potentially due to the college divide, the pandemic's impact on learning, and the rise of AI. The episode then explores the changing landscape of high school education, questioning its traditional focus on college preparation. The hosts discuss the historical shift from vocational tracks to a college-centric approach and the growing concerns about the affordability and relevance of college for all students. Finally, the episode examines the phenomenon of gentrification in smaller cities, focusing on the case of Newburgh, New York. The hosts discuss the motivations of newcomers, the impact on existing residents, and the potential consequences of unchecked gentrification.

Outlines

00:00:00

Gen Z Disengagement and the Changing Landscape of Education

This episode explores the declining engagement of Gen Z students in school, examining factors like the college divide, the pandemic's impact, and the rise of AI. It also discusses the shift in high school education from vocational tracks to a college-centric approach, raising concerns about the affordability and relevance of college for all students.

00:02:40

Gentrification in Small Cities: The Case of Newburgh, New York

This segment focuses on the phenomenon of gentrification in smaller cities, using Newburgh, New York as an example. It examines the motivations of newcomers, the impact on existing residents, and the potential consequences of unchecked gentrification.

Keywords

Gen Z

Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, is known for its digital fluency, diverse perspectives, and changing values.

AI in Education

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in education, raising questions about its impact on student engagement, learning methods, and the future of traditional education.

College Divide

The college divide refers to the disparity in educational opportunities and expectations for students based on their perceived likelihood of attending college.

Gentrification

Gentrification is the process of renovating and improving a rundown area, often displacing existing residents due to rising property values and changing demographics.

Exclusionary Displacement

Exclusionary displacement refers to the process where existing residents are priced out of their neighborhoods due to rising housing costs, even if they are not directly evicted.

Moral Frame of Opportunity

A narrative used by some gentrifiers to justify their actions, framing gentrification as a positive force that brings economic opportunities and cultural enrichment to a community.

Q&A

What are some of the factors contributing to Gen Z students' declining engagement in school?
The study highlights three main factors: the college divide, the pandemic's impact on learning, and the rise of AI, which raises questions about the relevance of traditional education.
How has the purpose of high school changed over time, and what are the implications for students?
High school has shifted from offering vocational tracks to a college-centric approach, potentially limiting opportunities for students who may not pursue a four-year degree.
What are the unique characteristics of gentrification in smaller cities, and how do they differ from gentrification in larger cities?
Gentrification in smaller cities can be faster and more impactful due to lower real estate costs, allowing newcomers to quickly gain political and economic influence.
What are some of the negative consequences of gentrification in small cities, and how are they being addressed?
Gentrification can lead to rising housing costs, displacement of existing residents, and a shift in the social and cultural landscape of a community. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, including affordable housing initiatives, rent protections, and addressing systemic racism.

Show Notes

It's September, which means millions of young learners across the country are dusting off their backpacks and heading back to school. But a new study from Gallup and The Walton Family Foundation has shown that students are less engaged, and feel less challenged than last year, and about half of them have no plans to get a Bachelor's degree right after high school. Host Brittany Luse is joined by Karin Klein, education reporter and author of Rethinking College: A Guide to Thriving Without a Degree, and NPR Education Desk correspondent and Senior Editor Cory Turner to parse through what has next generation feeling despondent and if we need to rethink the purpose of high school.

Then, Brittany is on the housing hunt, but she's found that even outside major urban areas, small cities across the country are rapidly gentrifying. Richard E. Ocejo, author of Sixty Miles Upriver: Gentrification and Race in a Small American City, joins Brittany to look at what happens when big city gentrifiers move to town and how some of them have rebranded gentrification.

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