K-12 Public Education Insights: Empowering Parents of Color — Trends, Tactics, and Topics That Impact POC
Raising kids can be tough! I know because I’ve been a single mom who raised two kids on my own. And when they get in the K-12 public education system, learning the ins and outs of that system can get you all tangled up, especially when you’re a parent of color (POC). You need to be aware of the current trends, tactics, and topics, as well as the necessary resources to navigate within the system. That’s what the K-12 Public Education Insights: Empowering Parents of Color podcast is all about — providing you with tools, information, and practical actions to help you and your children succeed within the complexities of K-12 public education.
Episodes
I break down why states are restricting remedial math and English courses in college and what that means for students who still need a bridge to credit-bearing coursework. I weigh the money and completion-rate arguments against what families care about most: real skill-building, fair placement, and a genuine pathway to a degree.
• Why California limits remediation through AB 1705 and expands t...
Money decisions shape futures long before a first paycheck arrives. I take you inside the fast‑growing world of in‑school banking, new district pilots, and the real question parents ask: Does access to accounts actually build financial literacy, or just familiarity with banks? Drawing on current research and on‑the‑ground examples from New York City and beyond, I unpack what these programs change—...
Spelling isn’t a throwback to red pens and Friday quizzes; it’s the quiet engine that powers fluent reading and confident writing. I dive into the real research behind spelling instruction—what transfers, what stalls, and how families and teachers can build skills that last beyond a test or a spell checker.
I share how letter–sound knowledge, word patterns, and word structures work togeth...
When a school district pulls 1,600 titles—including the dictionary—you know the fight over books is about more than pages on a shelf. I update you on the latest in the fast-changing world of K-12 book bans, the rise of state-level Freedom to Read laws, and the real-world impact on students, families, and the librarians tasked with navigating it all. Along the way, I unpack surprising parent survey...
One course can open an entire future. I dig into why Algebra 1 functions as a true gatekeeper in K–12, how early placement unlocks advanced math pathways, and why high-performing Black and Latino students are still less likely to access eighth-grade algebra—even in the same schools and with scores similar to those of their peers. Drawing on new NWEA and AMES findings, I trace where the pipeline na...
Four days of school, five days of life: the tradeoff sounds tempting, but what actually happens to learning, families, and neighborhoods when districts make the switch? I dig into the latest research on four-day school weeks to separate proven benefits from wishful thinking, and I map out smart guardrails that keep students at the center.
I start with the “why”: districts once shaved a d...
What if the rise of “quiet quitting” isn’t just about the workplace, but also the classroom? I dig into why so many teens are doing the bare minimum, why homework time has plunged since 2021, and how parents and educators can turn the tide with strategies that actually stick. Drawing on current data, lived experience as a parent and researcher, and proven frameworks, I connect the dots between mot...
AI is showing up in every corner of K‑12—from lesson planning and grading to chat-based “tutors” that promise instant help. I pull back the curtain on what gets lost when schools rush in without guardrails: weakened critical thinking, strained teacher-student connection, and new safety threats like deepfakes that can spread faster than adults can respond. You’ll hear what the data actually say, wh...
Love of learning gets printed on mission statements, but too often gets lost in classrooms filled with scripts, worksheets, and test prep. I pull back the curtain on what the phrase actually means—an enduring, intrinsic joy in the act of learning—and how parents can help children move from fleeting curiosity to steady, self-driven growth.
I start by drawing a clear line between curiosity ...
When grades lag and motivation dips, waiting for a quarterly report card is like checking the weather after the storm. I explore practical, research-backed ways parents of color can transform school engagement into true involvement that improves achievement, confidence, and attendance. Drawing on post-pandemic data and lived experience, I map out a clear plan: request weekly skill-level updates, l...
Grades shape futures, but do they measure what a student actually knows—or how well they play the points game? I take a hard look at why traditional grading often blends behavior, compliance, and access to resources with academic mastery, creating signals that mislead families, fuel bias, and widen gaps. Drawing on current research and classroom experience, I break down how equitable grading cente...
Books are quietly disappearing from American classrooms, and kids are paying the price. I dig into why excerpts have replaced full-length novels and plays, how that shift affects comprehension and attention, and what it means for students who deserve a rich, inclusive literacy diet. Drawing on research and classroom realities, I unpack the tension between teaching to high-stakes tests and building...
If middle school feels too early to think about life after high school, the data says otherwise. I explore why so many classrooms lack career-connected learning, how this fuels anxiety and disengagement, and what it takes to match a child’s natural aptitudes with real-world opportunities. From the sharp drop in four-year college plans to the rise of non-degree pathways, I trace the shifts families...
The way our kids learn has changed faster than most classrooms and homes can keep up. We’re past the era of memorizing from a single textbook; the real advantage now is knowing how to verify a claim, trace a source, and turn digital tools into deeper learning—not distractions. I share a clear roadmap for parents and educators who want students to thrive in a world where search results, AI tools, a...
Honest history should not be controversial, yet every step toward equity seems to trigger a counterpunch. I dig into how White backlash has shaped K-12 education for generations—from laws that criminalized Black literacy to modern book bans and vague “indoctrination” claims that chill classrooms. Along the way, I unpack the difference between White rage and White backlash, explain why CRT became a...
A single ransomware email can steal weeks of learning and years of privacy. I dig into the hard truth behind rising cyberattacks on K‑12 schools: why districts are prime targets, how AI makes phishing smarter, and what happens when student records and critical systems are held hostage. From real breaches that forced closures to vendor incidents that exposed millions of records, I unpack the patter...
Your child’s school day is powered by data—grades, health records, survey answers, device activity, and the dozens of apps woven into homework and instruction. I pull back the curtain on how that data move through districts and vendors, and how a lack of basic policies turns classrooms into soft targets for misuse and cybercrime. From the NYC Illuminate incident to AI-driven tools in everyday lear...
What if the fastest way to help your child succeed is to stop rescuing and start coaching? I dive into the mindset and methods of mentally strong parenting, using Amy Morin’s “Thirteen Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do” as a springboard to share practical tools that work in real homes. From replacing a victim mentality with accountability to building emotional literacy and healthy boundaries...
Parents don’t just want updates; we want a seat at the table. This episode explores how to move beyond volunteer hours and sign-up sheets to real partnership—where families, teachers, and schools build trust, share responsibility, and help kids thrive in reading, language, and math. I break down the difference between parent involvement and parent engagement, explain why two-way communication matt...
What if the easiest way to boost your child’s curiosity, listening skills, and confidence didn’t involve a screen at all? I dive into the world of children’s podcasts—why they work, how to use them at home and in class, and what the research says about attention, comprehension, and family learning. From science explainers driven by kids’ questions to short, story-rich episodes that fit into busy r...
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