Freedom to Learn

When asked, “Should we keep men out of women’s sports?” the vast majority of the American people respond with a resounding “Yes!” May Mailman, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Policy Strategist, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss executive orders related to protecting women's sports and spaces and restoring biological truth. We explore the implications of these orders, public support for reality and common sense, an...

Arizona mother Jenny Clark shares her family's challenging educational journey and how these experiences led her to establish Love Your School, an organization that provides personalized support for parents navigating educational options. Jenny describes how Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) provide families, including families of students with disabilities, with the flexibility to tailor their children’s education to better m...

Do school choice programs really increase segregation, harm rural communities, and deny students with disabilities access to services? Dr. Michael McShane, Director of National Research at EdChoice, joins Freedom to Learn to tackle these and other pervasive education myths. Mike addresses the fearmongering tactics used by opponents and emphasizes the importance of factual evidence in the debate. He explains what studies reveal abou...

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into California’s practice of requiring schools to lie to parents about their child's "gender identity." Julie Hamill, founder of the California Justice Center, joins Freedom to Learn to explain how California’s zealous embrace of gender ideology violates both the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Title IX and puts federal funding...

Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA), a former teacher in inner-city Los Angeles and California State Assembly member, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the need for education freedom options that prioritize student success. We address the impact of prolonged Covid-era school closures and the harm caused by powerful political forces, like teachers unions and the politicians they control. As Chair of the U.S. House Education and Workforce...

Recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon joins Freedom to Learn to discuss her plans to reduce bureaucracy at the federal Department of Education while ensuring critical federal funding streams like IDEA and Title I continue to reach states and students. Secretary McMahon also dives into the Trump administration's efforts to enhance educational freedom for parents, strengthen federal research, and tackle th...

While awaiting President Trump’s specific plans to dissolve the U.S. Department of Education and “send education back to the states,” congressional committees are holding hearings to explore the policy possibilities. In this episode, Dr. Lindsey Burke, Director of the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, and I reflect on our recent congressional testimonies before a U.S. House Appropriation subcommittee. We discu...

Louisiana was a rare bright spot amid grim Nation’s Report Card math and reading results. Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s superintendent of education, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the state's impressive progress and his ambitions for further improvement. He shares insights into the policies driving success–a reading revival focused on the Science of Reading, empowering teachers, and expanding educational freedom for familie...

When asked “Should we keep men out of women’s sports?” the vast majority of the American people respond with a resounding “Yes!” May Mailman, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Policy Strategist, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the recent executive orders related to protecting women's sports and spaces and restoring biological truth. We explore the implications of these orders, public support for reality and common...

In this episode of Freedom to Learn, Walter Blanks Jr., spokesperson for the American Federation for Children, shares his personal story of escaping a failing school—thanks to a mother who refused to accept the status quo. He reveals how a school choice scholarship in Ohio transformed his future and why he’s fighting to give every child the same opportunity. Walter also breaks down Tennessee’s landmark Education Freedom Act, exposi...

This week on Freedom to Learn, we break down a major development in Tennessee’s education landscape—the passage of the Education Freedom Act of 2025. Passed during an emergency legislative session, this new statewide program expands school choice while making historic investments in public education. Governor Bill Lee, in his State of the State address, declared, “Tennessee will strive to have the best public schools in the nation ...

In this episode of Freedom to Learn, we lament the troubling 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results. Despite billions in recovery funds, the latest data paints a grim picture, particularly for minority, low-income, and special needs students who continue to face significant academic challenges. Former Institute of Education Sciences (IES) director Mark Schneider details the alarming decline in fourth and ei...

Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children, joins Freedom to Learn for a deep dive into the state of school choice in America. From exciting wins in expanding school choice across the nation to major developments ahead in Texas and at the federal level, Tommy breaks down the game-changing progress happening right now. We also take a hard look at the powerful role of teachers' unions in blocking real reform, fue...

Nicki Neily, founder of Parents Defending Education, joins Freedom to Learn to discuss the troubling trends reshaping our nation's K-12 schools. From divisive racial and gender ideologies to foreign influence in our educational system, Nicki details her organization’s efforts to expose the overreach of activist agendas in the classroom and shares her motivation to champion parental rights and protect students from politicized ...

Have you ever wondered how school choice really works? On this episode of Freedom to Learn, we’re joined by Shelby Doyle, Vice President of Public Awareness for the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, to explore education freedom. As we gear up for National School Choice Week (January 26–February 1), Shelby shares actionable insights for policymakers looking to get involved in this nationwide celebration. Shelby talks abou...

Socially transitioning children in schools is not a neutral or benign act–it is a serious intervention that can lead children down a dangerous path toward irreversible medical procedures. Florida mother, January Littlejohn, joins Freedom to Learn to explore the harm caused by gender ideology’s grip on schools, stressing the importance of safeguarding children and protecting parental rights. Drawing from her family’s experience and ...

In this episode of Freedom to Learn, Nathan Cunneen, Texas State Director for the American Federation for Children, addresses the momentum behind the push for universal education freedom in the Lone Star State. Nathan shares his personal journey from a scholarship student in Florida to a leader in the Texas school choice movement. He discusses why school choice is crucial for families, and describes powerful opposition from rural s...

The education world is fixated on the fate of the U.S. Department of Education, but federal funding is a small portion of school budgets. Dr. Marguerite Roza, director of Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab, joins the podcast to break down the financial realities currently facing U.S. school districts. Financial mismanagement by school districts across the country is leading to tough budget decisions about staffing and school clo...

Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) envisions a more flexible, competitive system that better prepares students for the workforce—no matter the path they choose. In this episode, Rep. Walberg shares his insights on the evolving landscape of education in America, with a focus on vocational training, school choice, and the role of the federal government in shaping educational opportunities. Drawing from his personal background and experie...