David Zweig joins Freedom to Learn to discuss his new book, "An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions," a piercing exposé of America’s COVID-era school closure debacle. Zweig reveals how media, health “experts,” and teachers unions ignored real-time evidence, amplified fear, and prioritized politics over children, with devastating class-based consequences. His book uncovers the groupthink and failures that prolonged closures and equips readers to spot similar missteps in future crises.

An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions: https://www.amazon.com/Abundance-Caution-American-Schools-Decisions/dp/0262549158

How Covid Lies Destroyed Kids’ Lives: https://www.thefp.com/p/david-zweig-covid-lies-school-lockdowns-destroyed-kids-lives

Congressional hearing on the Consequences of School Closures: Intended and Unintended: https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/the-consequences-of-school-closures-intended-and-unintended/

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Maine State Representative Laurel Libby joins Freedom to Learn to share the personal and political fallout from her public stand on women’s sports. After posting a photo exposing a biological male’s victory in a girls’ track event, Libby was censured by Maine’s Democratic majority and stripped of her voting rights in the legislature. In this candid conversation, Libby discusses the policy shifts in Maine, the federal legal battles now underway, and her ongoing fight for the rights of girls, women, and parents.

Republican legislator appeals to Supreme Court to end censure over social media post: https://mainemorningstar.com/briefs/republican-legislator-appeals-to-supreme-court-to-end-censure-over-social-media-post/

Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Enforcement Actions Against the State of Maine for Violating Title IX: https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/attorney-general-pamela-bondi-announces-enforcement-actions-against-state-maine-violating

U.S. Department of Education Announces Consequences for Maine’s Title IX Noncompliance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-announces-consequences-maines-title-ix-noncompliance

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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, and the federal Title IX investigations into states (including Maine!), school districts, and athletic associations. The discussion highlights the importance of defining sex and the need for legislative, as well as executive action.

This episode was originally released on 2/27/25. Recent developments include:

Video: Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Enforcement Actions Against the State of Maine for Violating Title IX

Press Release: U.S. Department of Education Announces Consequences for Maine’s Title IX Noncompliance

Press Release: U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights Issues Final Warning Letter to Maine on Title IX Compliance

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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 meet their needs. Jenny shares insights from her experience testifying at a congressional hearing in support of school choice and her hope that the proposed federal Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA) will expand educational options nationwide.

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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 about the outcomes of school choice programs and addresses the misconceptions about homeschooling, IDEA, and threats to our democracy.

Read "The ABC's of School Choice" from EdChoice: https://www.edchoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2024-ABCs-of-School-Choice.pdf

Read “The 123’s of School Choice: 2024 Edition” by EdChoice: https://www.edchoice.org/engage/the-123s-of-school-choice-2024-edition/

Watch the full hearing, "Education Without Limits: Exploring the Benefits of School Choice," from The Committee on Education & Workforce here: https://www.youtube.com/live/zylccpoGG2Q

Read "School Choice is Racist and Other Myths" by Michael Bindas: https://ij.org/press-release/new-law-review-article-counters-the-myth-that-school-choice-has-racist-roots-and-effects/

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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 at risk. We reflect on Julie’s journey from a frustrated parent to a courageous voice challenging government overreach and the harmful impacts of COVID-era policies on children. She identifies the forces behind school closures and mask mandates, and details the origins and growing influence of gender ideology in schools.

Read more:

Defense of Freedom Institute, California Justice Center File Federal Civil Rights Complaint Against California Department of Education and Multiple School Districts for Title IX Violations: https://dfipolicy.org/press-release-defense-of-freedom-institute-california-justice-center-file-federal-civil-rights-complaint-against-california-department-of-education-and-multiple-school-districts-for-title-ix-violati/

U.S. Department of Education Launches Investigation into California Department of Education for Alleged FERPA Violations: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-launches-investigation-california-department-of-education-alleged-ferpa-violations

U.S. Department of Education Directs Schools to Comply with Parental Rights Laws: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-directs-schools-comply-parental-rights-laws

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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 Committee’s K-12 education subcommittee, Rep. Kiley recently chaired a lively hearing highlighting the benefits of expanding education options like charter schools and education savings accounts. He shares his observations from the hearing and counters some of the claims made that day.

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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 the rise of antisemitism on college campuses.

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