The State of Education with Melvin Adams

Is porn acceptable in school libraries as long as it’s supporting a good story? Our guest Dawn Justice shares how this argument was used against a motion to remove graphically descriptive sexual novels from school libraries. As a mother and recently elected school board member, Dawn believes that parents are the best remedy to helping a child navigate today’s muddy waters of gender identity and gr...

Melvin’s guest today is experienced educator Rebecca Friedrichs. In 2018, Rebecca helped fight and win a federal case which overturned laws forcing educators to join teachers’ unions. Since then, she has been a strong voice for teachers’ rights in the classroom, school options, and reversing the moral decline in America’s schools and culture.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Check out Rebe...

Is graphic sexual education in the classroom justified, or are political ideologies treating students like lab rats? Today, our guest is Lori Kuykendall, President of Beacon Health Resources in Dallas, Texas. Melvin and Lori discuss the differences between information and ideology, how education is a preventive measure, and the relevancy of teaching sex education in schools in a culture that barra...

On today’s episode, Melvin interviews Marquell Moorer, who was recently elected to his local school board in April 2022. Marquell shares how he struggled in the school system as a child and how his struggles continued upon entering college. He believes lowering education standards is a dangerous form of “soft bigotry” which promotes the opposite of the equality its proponents are seeking. RECOMMEN...

Thank you for joining us on The State of Education with Melvin Adams . Today, Melvin interviews Andrew Glover, a parent advocating for change after discovering objectionable moral content in his kid’s public school curriculum. Andrew shares challenging experiences at school board meetings along with encouragement for parents seeking to get involved. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:  Read Andrew’s article, “...

Should taxpayer money fund teacher protests? In this conclusion of her interview, guest Shelly Norden shares with Melvin the harm of teacher and student protests during instruction hours—a previously unheard-of occurrence. They also discuss difficulties teachers face in disciplining students in a system designed to reward, not punish, misbehavior.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Videos Sh...

In our school systems, is equity measured by equal opportunity or equal outcomes? Today, Melvin speaks with Shelly Norden, an award-winning educator who became troubled with new teacher “deep equity” training and the following decline in student success.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Videos Shelly Recommends: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUzoBfCH4t-efBo_6X_a1tg GET CONNECTED WITH NW...

Sleep deprivation, depression, and suicide rates all have one common root: screens and other technology. Today, Brad Huddleston concludes his interview about the dangers and advantages of technology with helpful tips on conquering digital use  and turning it to our advantage.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Discover more about Brad on his website: https://bradhuddleston.com/ Buy Brad’s bo...

The use of technology in education can be controversial. In today’s episode, Brad Huddleston shares his experience and research on minimizing the harm and maximizing the wealth of the digital age.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Discover more about Brad on his website: https://bradhuddleston.com/ Buy Brad’s book Digital Cocaine: A Journey Towards iBalance : https://bradhuddleston.com/shop...

Are libraries for entertainment or learning? Join Melvin as he interviews Don Blake, the founding chairman of the Virginia Christian Alliance. Don has experience serving his county on local boards to promote and preserve biblical values. On today’s episode, Melvin and Don discuss what the function of public libraries should be along with how churches should use their influence to impact the commun...

How do we eradicate bullying? Guest Tom McCracken answers this question with a ringing call to action after delving into faith, curriculum, and the heroism of teachers in spite of overwhelming obstacles.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Check out the blog post Tom McCraken mentions about “teachers making too much” here: https://pastorunity.com/2020/12/16/teachers-make-too-much-money/ Read...

In part one of this two part series, guest Tom McCracken shares his insight into the school system from the eyes of a pastor and educator. Tom and Melvin discuss the adversarial inner workings of many school administrations, how parents’ views on education have changed since COVID, and the best way to create bridges into the classroom. RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE: Read more of Tom’s tho...

In this special edition of the State of Education, Melvin and guest co-host Shelbie Slater share highlights from NWEF’s recent School Board Summit. We also hear a snippet of Melvin’s interview on the Learn Right podcast with host Ron Nehring as they discuss common obstacles for school board members.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY’S EPISODE:  Discover more about NWEF’s School Board Summit: https://s...

In this conclusion to Melvin’s interview with Sheila Qualls, the conversation turns from critical race theory to the troubling statistics on the family unit’s decline. The problem isn’t isolated to one skin color…no matter what the media says. Melvin and Sheila also discuss education’s role as an equalizer and why parents should take the choice of their child’s school into their own hands. RESOURC...

On today’s episode, our guest Sheila Qualls shares special insight into the debate over critical race theory as well as observations about Black History Month. She also highlights the importance of parents ingraining personal accountability into their children.  RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY'S PODCAST: Learn more about Sheila’s organization here: https://takechargemn.com/ Check out her blog: h...

Should parents be allowed to choose the school they send their kids to? Today on The State of Education with Melvin Adams, our guest Dr. Karen Hiltz shares about her background as a public school board member, why she’s an advocate for school choice, and why educational policies must be developed with intentionality. RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY'S PODCAST: Find Dr. Hiltz's book here: htt...

Should there be a U.S. Department of Education? Today, Melvin Adams speaks with NWEF board member Dr. Karen Hiltz on differences in federal, state, and local school system policies, the advantages to approaching the school budget like a business, and the constitutionality of the federal education system. RESOURCES MENTIONED ON TODAY'S PODCAST: Get Dr. Hiltz's book here:    https://www.am...

Melvin Adams and guest Jack Appleby conclude this three-part interview by analyzing common distractions for parents and school boards, identifying situations where abundant funding can actually hinder school "success," and discussing the central role principals play in the life of each individual student. GET CONNECTED WITH NWEF Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwef.org/ Fol...

How early is too early to talk to teens about a career path? In Part 2 of 3, the involvement of parents and the advantages of a career plan are forefront in our guest Jack Appleby's mind. GET CONNECTED WITH NWEF Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwef.org/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWEF_org Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nwef_org/ Subscribe on You...

Today, Melvin Adams interviews Jack Appleby and discusses the critical importance of the student-teacher relationship which Appleby upholds is where "the magic happens" in education. They also cover the impact of high stake testing and curriculum.   GET CONNECTED WITH NWEF Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nwef.org/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NWEF_org Follow us...