“Americans of all parties and backgrounds overwhelmingly support school choice – and will vote accordingly.” Brian Jodice, National Press Secretary for the American Federation for Children (AFC), joins the podcast to share the polling that backs up his organization’s proclamation. We discuss the growing support for school choice across the United States and the importance of state participation in the newly introduced Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. Brian also addresses common myths surrounding education freedom and shares personal stories from North Carolina's school choice journey.

National School Choice Survey: September 2025

AFC Fellows

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Natalya Murakhver, the creator of the documentary 15 Days: The Real Story of America's Pandemic School Closures, joins the podcast to discuss the prolonged school closures that harmed a generation of American students. 15 Days highlights the stories of children and parents directly impacted by COVID-era policies and covers the role of teachers' unions in shaping the narrative and downplaying the long-term consequences on academic outcomes, social development, and mental health. To ensure the lessons from closures aren’t forgotten, watch and share 15 Days and attend or schedule a screening in your community.

15 Days Film

Watch 15 Days: The Real Story of America's Pandemic School Closures on X

Restore Childhood

The Covid generation: Best readers ever in fourth grade, worst readers ever by twelfth

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Indiana Secretary of Education Katie Jenner joins Freedom to Learn to explain how Indiana’s ambitious education initiatives are boosting reading scores, revolutionizing high school experiences, and expanding education freedom. Secretary Jenner also shares the state’s quest for flexibility and freedom from onerous federal strings. She describes Indiana’s ESEA waiver application’s key requests: block grants for the state and local education agencies; opportunities to direct school improvement funding to a range of education options; and a unified accountability model.

Indiana ESEA Flexibility Waiver Request

Indiana Choice Scholarship Program

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Matt Frendewey, vice president of strategy at yes. every kid., joins the podcast to discuss the shift from reforming existing systems to empowering families through education freedom. He highlights the inadequacies of the current public school system, the importance of funding design over mere funding increases, and the need for minimal federal involvement in education. The conversation also delves into block grants, accountability in education, and success stories from states that have embraced education freedom.

Na⁠t⁠⁠i⁠onal Survey: Vo⁠t⁠ers Wan⁠t⁠ Local Con⁠t⁠rol Over K-12 Educa⁠t⁠⁠i⁠on

Title I: Rich School Districts Get Millions Meant for Poor Kids

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Hayley Sanon joins the podcast to discuss the Trump administration's vision for returning education to the states. We delve into recent guidance issued by the federal Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the role of Dear Colleague Letters and waivers, and the opportunities to expand educational flexibility and education freedom. Hayley, who is the acting Assistant Secretary of OESE, explains how these initiatives aim to empower states and districts to make the best decisions for students, and reset the balance of power between federal and state education systems.

U.S. Department of Education Issues Guidance to States on Ed-Flex Option to Encourage Local Innovation Guidance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-guidance-states-ed-flex-option-encourage-local-innovation

Direct Student Services Guidance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/department-of-education-encourages-states-expand-education-choice-leveraging-flexibilities-title-i-funds

Persistently Dangerous and Unsafe Schools Guidance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-guidance-states-ed-flex-option-encourage-local-innovation

Charter School Program Funding: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/secretary-mcmahon-announces-immediate-increased-funding-new-grant-program-charter-schools

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The latest Nation’s Report Card scores are truly terrible: 12th-grade scores reached historic lows and achievement gaps widened. An alarming number of students are leaving high school without basic math and reading skills. Dr. Martin West, vice-chair of the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) and academic dean at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins the podcast to discuss the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results, the challenges faced by low-performing students, and the need for reliable national assessments.

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Season 2 of the Freedom to Learn podcast makes the urgent case for returning education to states, communities, and families. In Washington, President Trump is challenging partisan teacher unions and federal bureaucrats by enacting a new K–12 scholarship tax credit, restructuring the Department of Education, and rooting out civil rights violations in schools. Each week, host Ginny Gentles speaks with policymakers and advocates about bold reforms that improve academic performance and shift power closer to students. Every episode examines what becomes possible when education is freed from union dominance and federal control. Produced by the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC.

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Season One of the Freedom to Learn podcast concluded on a triumphant note, with three episodes celebrating the federal scholarship tax credit’s inclusion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, opening K-12 scholarship opportunities nationwide. Since launching the podcast last fall, we’ve spotlighted school choice victories in Texas, Tennessee, and New Hampshire, featured high-profile guests such as Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Senator Ted Cruz, shared powerful stories from courageous mothers protecting their children from gender ideology, and highlighted education freedom and parental rights advocates from across the country. Missed an episode? Catch up on these inspiring conversations!

We’re taking a break, but will return after Labor Day for Season Two. Expect deep dives into President Trump’s plan to return education to the states, exploring what dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and devolving power out of Washington, D.C., means for parents, students, educators, and policymakers. Follow us on your favorite platform and DFI’s YouTube channel for new weekly episodes starting in September.

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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!