School choice trailblazer Jason Bedrick joins the podcast to explore the evolution of education freedom in New Hampshire and beyond. From his roots as a young legislator to his role in passing groundbreaking policies, Jason shares insights on the fight to expand educational options for families. Jason also debunks myths about school choice—does it break budgets, favor the wealthy, or leave special needs students behind?

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After Tennessee expanded the state’s Education Freedom Scholarships program during a special legislative session earlier this year, demand for the state’s education savings accounts (ESAs) soared. TN Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds joins the podcast to discuss school choice implementation, parent empowerment, investing in literacy, and getting teacher training right. She decries the “soft bigotry of low expectations” and shares the education policy actions she hopes the federal government will take.

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Last month, Governor Greg Abbott signed the nation’s largest day-one universal school choice program into law. Madison Yandell, the governor’s education advisor, and Vanessa Tanner, chief of staff to Texas House Public Education Committee Chairman Brad Buckley, join the podcast to discuss how education savings accounts (ESAs) finally passed in Texas and the roles of various stakeholders in the legislative process. Madison and Vanessa also explain the ESA program’s funding, prioritization of vulnerable children, and implementation plans. As we conclude, they respond to common misconceptions about the program and describe the state’s investment of $8.5 billion in new funding for public education and teacher salaries.

What Parents Need to Know About the New Texas Education Savings Account: https://myschoolchoice.com/opportunities/texas-education-savings-account

Families Empowered: Find a School That Works for You: https://familiesempoweredtx.org/

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New Hampshire is now the 17th state to offer an education freedom program to every student in the state. Governor Kelly Ayotte recently signed legislation that expanded eligibility for the state’s education savings accounts (ESA) program to all K-12 students, regardless of their family income. Jody Underwood joins the podcast to discuss how her organization helps New Hampshire families navigate their growing options. Jody shares insights from her time on the school board and explains the state’s options, including town tuitioning, Education Freedom Accounts, tax credit scholarships, and the Learn Everywhere program.

New Hampshire’s Legislature Passes Landmark School Choice Bill: https://www.federationforchildren.org/afc-congratulates-new-hampshires-legislature-for-passing-landmark-school-choice-bill/

Education Options New Hampshire: https://edopt.org/

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Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs and activities that receive federal funding. My colleague Paul Zimmerman joins the podcast to explain Title IX’s original intent to ensure equal educational opportunities regardless of sex, the regulatory evolution and whiplash in recent years, and regulators' attempts to push gender ideology and weaken parental rights. We conclude with a discussion about DFI’s RESPECT Title IX Act, a model law that provides Title IX policy clarity and stability.

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Erin Lee, executive director of Protect Kids Colorado, shares her harrowing experience navigating gender ideology’s impact on her daughter. She discusses the alarming rise of rapid onset gender dysphoria, the cult-like mentality surrounding gender identity, and the challenges parents face in protecting their children from school policies and societal pressures. Erin shares practical steps parents can take to protect their children from harmful ideologies and highlights Colorado’s radical laws affecting parental rights and child safety.

Stop Gender Ideology: https://www.stopgenderideology.com/

Art Club Movie: https://www.artclubmovie.com/

Defending Education Files Joint Lawsuit Against Colorado State Over New “Anti-Discrimination” Law: https://defendinged.org/lawsuits/defending-education-files-joint-lawsuit-against-colorado-state-over-new-anti-discrimination-law/

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Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org.

If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

The U.S. House budget reconciliation bill includes a federal tax credit that could make K-12 scholarships available to students in every state across America. Tony de Nicola, Invest in Education chairman, joins the podcast to discuss the Educational Choice for Children Act’s (ECCA) strong support in Congress, the White House, and the public. De Nicola shares his personal education journey and explains why expanding school choice is a national imperative.

Invest in Education Coalition: https://investineducation.org/coalition/

POLL: Americans Strongly Support School Choice: https://investineducation.org/poll-americans-strongly-support-school-choice/

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Starlee Coleman, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ new CEO, joins the podcast to celebrate National Charter Schools Week and the 30th anniversary of the federal Charter School Program. Coleman discusses her 25 years of fighting for education freedom, from overhauling over 100 Texas charter regulations to securing bipartisan wins. Get the scoop on federal policy threats, rural charter growth, and the St. Isidore Supreme Court case that could redefine charters.

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Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org.

If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!