Where the Schools Went - Podcast Rankings and reviews

This series engages in the layers of complexity involved in on-the-ground school improvement. Though set in post-Katrina New Orleans and the 20 years since, it’s applicable to those facing similar needs anywhere. It digs deeper than the political boundaries of “one size fits all” charter models or teacher unions and gives an honest overview of how success is more nuanced and has hinged upon community empowerment alongside attaining academic goals. As a former educator in New Orleans East during this time, I was left feeling proud to be a part of meaningful change - as well as inspired to continue applying those lessons to my current turnaround work in traditional public schools in a nearby state.

Interviews mostly are pro-charter. Those against are generally shown as bitter and angry. Author is a former charter school principal so hard to not see the bias.

Fundamentally why don’t we ask why instead of replacing public schools with charters, why not lower regulations and requirements for public schools so they have more freedom to innovate? Public school teachers are shackled by these. It’s cheaper to fix and enhance existing schools than start all over.

I’m a public school teacher and my default is anti charter, but I got chills during the first episode hearing about kids who wanted to, but had no school to go to.

Listeners should be aware of potential biases: one of the co-producers, The 74, is funded in part by the Walton Family Foundation, a major proponent of school choice and charter school expansion. While the podcast itself is presented as documentary storytelling, this funding connection is relevant context, since the Waltons have a clear policy agenda in U.S. education.