In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host and Strategos Partner Tom Luna sits down with Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. to discuss the state's bold strides in education reform. Recorded at the ExcelinEd conference in Oklahoma City, this conversation highlights Florida’s leadership in school choice, civics education, early literacy, and teacher recruitment.

Commissioner Diaz shares how Florida has expanded school choice options, with over 500,000 students now benefiting from education savings accounts, charter schools, private school scholarships, and hybrid learning models. He explains how Florida’s innovative "a la carte" approach allows families to tailor education to their children’s unique needs, driving a national movement toward greater parental choice.

The discussion also delves into Florida’s comprehensive civics education initiatives, including the Civic Seal of Excellence program and debate championships aimed at preparing students to be informed citizens. Commissioner Diaz emphasizes the importance of early literacy, citing Florida’s investments in progress monitoring and curriculum reforms to ensure students are reading at grade level by third grade.

Addressing the teacher shortage, Diaz outlines Florida’s alternative certification pathways, teacher apprenticeship programs, and professional development investments, all designed to elevate and retain educators. He also highlights Florida’s new transparency initiatives, ensuring parents and taxpayers have full access to classroom materials.

Key Moments

03:35 Homeschooling Challenges and Solutions

07:49 DeSantis Boosts Civics Education Initiatives

11:45 Early Learning Investment Focus

13:55 Florida's Strategy for Teacher Shortage

18:04 Classroom Transparency and Curriculum Shift

21:21 Tallahassee's Origin as Florida's Capital

23:20 Disappointment Over Florida's Capitol Building

Connect with Manny Diaz Jr.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manny-diaz-jr-47463b55/

Website: https://www.flbog.edu/

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Kathy Hoffman, former Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction and a passionate advocate for special education. Now serving as the Executive Director for Innovation and Special Education Initiatives at Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Kathy is leading Project OASIS—a groundbreaking initiative to rethink and improve special education systems.

Kathy shares her journey from speech-language pathologist to state education leader, explaining how her firsthand experiences in Arizona classrooms shaped her drive for reform. She discusses the challenges facing special education today, including severe teacher shortages, overwhelming administrative burdens, and the need for more inclusive classroom models. Through Project OASIS, she is bringing together educators, researchers, parents, and business leaders to explore innovative strategies that improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

Tom and Kathy also dive into the complexities of special education funding, teacher training, and the need for community collaboration to ensure that every child—regardless of ability—receives the support they need to succeed.

Tune in for an insightful discussion on how reimagining special education can create lasting, positive change for students, teachers, and school systems nationwide.

Key Moments

03:49 Challenges in Special Education Compliance

09:29 Parents' Role in Education Improvement

12:11 Special Ed Challenges in Arizona

14:40 Challenges in Inclusive Education

17:27 Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Kathy Hoffman

X: https://x.com/supt_hoffman?lang=en

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Chad Aldis, Vice President of Ohio Policy at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities in American education.

Aldis shares his journey from law school to the forefront of education policy, detailing his work in school choice, academic standards, and accountability systems. With experience spanning state legislatures, nonprofit advocacy, and national policy research, Aldis provides a nuanced perspective on what it takes to improve educational outcomes for all students.

The conversation explores the role of rigorous academic standards, the importance of teacher quality, and the evolving landscape of school choice. Aldis highlights how the Fordham Institute has been instrumental in shaping education policy in Ohio while influencing national discussions. He and Luna discuss the critical need for high expectations in schools, the impact of post-pandemic learning gaps—particularly in math—and how accountability measures must prioritize student success over feel-good participation.

They also examine the challenges faced by rural schools and the importance of maintaining educational equity in areas with fewer choices. Wrapping up with a surprising Ohio trivia fact, Aldis and Luna provide a compelling discussion on why education reform is essential for the nation’s future.

Tune in to Swimming Upstream for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges the status quo and advocates for meaningful, student-centered change in education.

Key Moments

04:21 Influence of Ohio's Education Policies

07:01 Boosting Education Through Relevance

12:48 Meaningful Readiness Indicators Needed

15:54 Rural School Challenges and Accountability

17:01 Prioritizing Students and Education Urgency

Connect with Chad Aldis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-aldis-614oh/

Website : https://fordhaminstitute.org/