In this episode of the Catholic Education Playbook Show, Jeremiah Poff, an education and culture reporter at the Washington Examiner, presents the five worst moments in education in 2023.

First is the alarming rise in anti-Semitism on college campuses. Jeremiah highlights numerous incidents where Jewish students were targeted and made to feel unwelcome, with student groups questioning their place and even denying Israel's right to exist. Shockingly, a congressional hearing revealed the refusal of some prestigious university presidents to acknowledge that such anti-Semitic speech violates their codes.

Second is the presence of pornographic books in school libraries. While some argue that efforts to remove these books are a form of censorship, others defend it as a necessary step to protect children. Jeremiah delves into the controversy surrounding this matter, even sharing examples of pornographic books being used during school board member swearing-in ceremonies.

Third is the decision of the Montgomery County school board to eliminate parents' ability to opt their children out of classes about sexuality and gender. This has sparked a lawsuit from Christian and Muslim parents who wish to protect their children. The implications of this decision and its impact on parental rights are explored in detail.

Fourth is the College Board's inclusion of critical race theory and other concepts that violate teaching standards in Florida.

Fifth is the labeling of parent groups as "hate groups" by the Southern Poverty Law Center. This controversial move has not only tarnished the reputation of prominent parent advocacy organizations like Moms for Liberty but also compromised their ability to operate effectively. The dangers of such labeling and its impact on freedom of speech and parental engagement are thoroughly examined.

Throughout the episode, Jeremiah also touches upon topics such as the decline of free speech on campuses, the importance of teaching philosophy and history, and the tactics used to discredit opponents, drawing parallels to tactics employed by communist regimes. Acknowledging the gravity of the challenges faced by the education system, the hosts agree that sharing more positive education stories is crucial.