16:1 - Education, Teaching, & Learning - Taking Chances, Making Mistakes, & Getting Messy!

Taking Chances, Making Mistakes, & Getting Messy!

06/06/24 • 54 min

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16:1 - Education, Teaching, & Learning

Education News Headline Roundup

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has leveled criticism at the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision just days after the 70th anniversary of the ruling. In his concurring opinion on a decision allowing South Carolina to keep using a congressional map that critics say discriminated against Black voters, Thomas this month argued that the Brown decision took a "boundless view of equitable remedies" and involved "extravagant uses of judicial power" to end racial segregation in schools.
The Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) announced its closure, attributing the decision partly to financial difficulties exacerbated by ongoing issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) system. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Education has pledged a comprehensive review of its financial aid office and the FAFSA process in response to widespread problems impacting students and institutions nationwide.
A follow-up to a headline we first shared in February of this year: Harvard University’s “Institutional Voice” working group has concluded its work and recommended that Harvard leaders not “issue official statements about public matters that do not directly affect the university’s core function.”

Taking Chances, Making Mistakes, & Getting Messy

This week, 16:1 explores the origins of “The Magic School Bus,” the beloved children’s television series designed to engage young learners with scientific topics and other curious learning adventures. The franchise, which started as a children's book series written by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degen in 1986, emerged from Scholastic Co.’s vision of blending science with fiction. The franchise sold 93 million book copies worldwide, captivating young minds and paving the way for its evolution into a popular TV show.

From 1994 to 1997, "The Magic School Bus" brought science to life on PBS, with Ms. Frizzle, voiced by Lily Tomlin, leading her fourth-grade class on magical field trips. Each adventure, from exploring the solar system to journeying inside the human body, made complex scientific concepts accessible and fun for young learners. Today, the series continues to inspire through its presence on Netflix and has recently gotten a reboot, "The Magic School Bus Rides Again."

We discuss the show's pedagogical approach, its effective use of repetition to reinforce concepts, and its clever handling of creative liberties with science. We also share behind-the-scenes stories and insights into the animation and voice acting process, revealing the dedication to making the show both scientifically accurate and entertaining. Tune in to hear our personal reflections on favorite episodes and how "The Magic School Bus" has shaped our understanding of science.

Sources & Resources:

Clarence Thomas attacks Brown v. Board ruling amid 70th anniversary

22-807 Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP (05/23/2024)

Misrepresenting Justice Thomas on Brown | National Review

The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane

MLB Negro League stats leaderboard changes record book

Remembering 'Magic School Bus' Creator Joanna Cole : NPR

Ms. Frizzle creator leaves behind a legacy of learning | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

This School Year, Unleash Your Inner Ms. Frizzle - The New York T...

Education News Headline Roundup

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has leveled criticism at the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision just days after the 70th anniversary of the ruling. In his concurring opinion on a decision allowing South Carolina to keep using a congressional map that critics say discriminated against Black voters, Thomas this month argued that the Brown decision took a "boundless view of equitable remedies" and involved "extravagant uses of judicial power" to end racial segregation in schools.
The Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) announced its closure, attributing the decision partly to financial difficulties exacerbated by ongoing issues with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) system. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Education has pledged a comprehensive review of its financial aid office and the FAFSA process in response to widespread problems impacting students and institutions nationwide.
A follow-up to a headline we first shared in February of this year: Harvard University’s “Institutional Voice” working group has concluded its work and recommended that Harvard leaders not “issue official statements about public matters that do not directly affect the university’s core function.”

Taking Chances, Making Mistakes, & Getting Messy

Sources & Resources:

Clarence Thomas attacks Brown v. Board ruling amid 70th anniversary

22-807 Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP (05/23/2024)

Misrepresenting Justice Thomas on Brown | National Review

The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane

MLB Negro League stats leaderboard changes record book

Remembering 'Magic School Bus' Creator Joanna Cole : NPR

Ms. Frizzle creator leaves behind a legacy of learning | Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College

This School Year, Unleash Your Inner Ms. Frizzle - The New York T...

Previous Episode

Examining the Effects of High-Stakes Standardized Tests on Learning Outcomes

Education News Headline Roundup

Over the past few weeks, there have been significant developments at the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio). On May 15, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost initiated an investigation into the allegations of a hostile takeover attempt of the $90 billion pension fund, which serves thousands of educators, by QED Systematic Solutions.
Academic publishing is facing a crisis of credibility as journals close and thousands of retractions are issued in the wake of a glut of fake research papers. A study by Nature found that in 2013 there were just over 1,000 retractions compared to 2022 with 4,000 and then jumping to more than 10k in 2023. More than 8k of the retractions came from an Egyptian company called Hindawi, which is a subsidiary of Wiley; the Hindawi brand will be sunsetted and its properties absorbed into Wiley. Wiley has announced they will close 19 journals because of the rise of fake papers.
A report by Spectrum News from May 14th alleges that millions of dollars in Texas taxpayer funds intended for a charter school in Odessa were diverted to support struggling Third Future charter schools network in Colorado, of which Houston Independent School District superintendent Mike Miles is founder and with whom he has recently maintained a consulting relationship.

Examining the Effects of High-Stakes Standardized Tests on Learning Outcomes

This episode explores the history and impact of high-stakes standardized testing in the U.S., starting with a brief review of the No Child Left Behind Act and its legacy. Discussions include the educational goals of high-stakes tests (such as accountability and standardization), and the reasons why these tests often fall short of bettering educational outcomes for students, including curriculum narrowing and stress on students and teachers. We also delve into recent research, including a 2024 study by Maroun and Tienken, which highlights the significant influence of socioeconomic factors on test performance.

Discussion Questions

What are the consequences of "teaching to the test"?
Why does the high-stakes testing system persist despite its criticisms?
Can we design a system with standardized tests but without high-stakes consequences? What might this look like?
What would it take to move school administrators and policy makers toward the idea that standardized tests should inform academic strategies instead of penalties or other punitive measures?
How do we develop a system to hold educators accountable for serving students well that recognizes that a student’s academic or standardized test performance is not always the best indicator of that student’s learning? Would peer/student reviews play a part in this system?

Sources & Resources:

Ohio AG investigating alleged 'hostile takeover' inside teacher's pension fund

March Board News | STRS Ohio

April Board News | STRS Ohio

February Board News | STRS Ohio Employer

Answering viewer questions about Ohio's retired teachers' pension fund chaos

Houston teachers union calls for Mike Miles' resignation after explosive report

HISD students plan walkout as investigation launches into state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles

Next Episode

Year in Review: Volume III

The hosts are on summer break, which means the return of an annual tradition: the 16:1 year in review, where Katie and Chelsea kick back and share about their year of learning. Education news headlines will return next episode.