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

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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.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org

💡 Stay Connected:

• Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy
• Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy
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• Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes!

📩 Contact Us:
If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org.

🎧 Thank You for Listening:
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!

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/

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Visit our website: DFIPolicy.org

💡 Stay Connected:

• Follow us on Instagram: @DFIPolicy
• Follow us on Twitter: @DFIPolicy
• Follow us on Facebook: /DFIPolicy
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel (@DFIPolicy) for future episodes!

📩 Contact Us:
If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org.

🎧 Thank You for Listening:
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!