What I Want to Know, with Kevin P. Chavous

Today's generation of students are digital citizens, raised with technology at their fingertips. By harnessing the power of technology, modern teaching strategies can enhance student engagement and offer an individualized approach to learning. Why should we consider incorporating technology into teaching strategies? What are some best practices of using technology in classrooms? How can we leverag...

According to the Center for American Progress, up to 60% of college students require remedial English or math classes. This can be a burden both psychologically and financially. Why do many students need remedial classes in college? How can we provide students with an education that sets them up for college success? And how can we better equip students for the jobs of tomorrow? In this episode, Mi...

Social media has transformed the way we interact with the world. Nearly half of teens are on TikTok multiple times a day. While some schools have restricted social media usage, other educators have embraced these tools to engage teenagers and get them excited about learning. How are educators using social media to engage teens? What techniques are most effective? And how can social media help stud...

Advancements in artificial intelligence are impacting all areas of life, including education. With applications like ChatGPT dominating headlines, educators are wondering how education should prepare students for a world filled with AI. How are teachers introducing AI in the classroom? What should we do to prepare students for the AI jobs of the future? And what are the ethical implications of AI,...

There are nearly 8,000 public charter schools in the United States, serving 3-and-a-half million students. But parents, teachers and thought leaders have a range of views on their role in public education. What are some of the unique challenges administrators face today when establishing and managing a charter school? Do charter schools spark innovation and improvement in the school system at larg...

The United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce plays a key role in guiding education policy in our country. As schools face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues, federal policy will be an important factor in determining how we build the future of education. What role does federal policy play in K-12 education?  How can the federal government best support all t...

According to the Rural School and Community Trust, 9.3 million students in the United States attended a school in a rural district in 2019. That means nearly one in five American students attends a rural school. Yet delivering high-quality education in these areas can be difficult. What are some of the challenges rural schools face? Which teaching and enrichment tools can enhance rural students' e...

A recent study on global service learning programs revealed that cultural immersion experiences can transform students' perceptions of themselves and others far beyond what traditional classroom learning provides. How can we encourage students to be curious about the world outside of their local community? How do travel experiences enhance student learning inside of the classroom? And what role sh...

According to a new Smoothwall report, 96% of U.S. teachers believe that technology in the classroom has a positive impact on students' learning and participation. But with the rise of technology in education, we must also think about the potential risks to our children. What are some of the challenges or concerns with incorporating certain technologies into the learning environment? Are there risk...

Twelve years ago, former President Barack Obama focused his State of the Union address on education, calling for the training of 100,000 new teachers of science and mathematics. By 2021, that 100,000 goal had been achieved, but there was still work to be done. And in 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced its You Belong in STEM initiative, designed to bring equity and high-quality STEM e...

Each year, New York City schools educate nearly a million children in 1,800 schools, making it the largest school district not only in the United States, but in the entire world. With so many students in such a dense and diverse area, New York becomes a proving ground for all sorts of new solutions in education. What can we learn from what is working in this school system? How can the system be im...

Thank you so much for joining me, Kevin P. Chavous, for 100 episodes of What I Want to Know! Over the last two years, I've had the privilege to speak with experts, school leaders, parents and students about the most pressing issues in education today. We've also had fun exploring what the future of education might look like… and how we can encourage lifelong learning in all students. To celebrate...

While math has never seemed to be the most popular subject, students are increasingly falling behind nationwide. Research shows student scores have dropped since the pandemic, especially in math. Are teachers equipped to help students not only understand math, but excel at it? What makes math difficult for so many students? And how can we reframe the subject for students and encourage a love of ma...

It is infinitely clear that more young people are getting involved in politics. According to Tufts University, three times as many 18- to 24-year-olds donated to a political campaign or registered others to vote in 2020 than in 2018. It is also equally clear that as political debate in the United States has intensified, classroom debates have also become increasingly heated. How have recent electi...

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, student activism is on the rise. Despite long being thought of as politically disengaged, students are interested now more than ever in advocating for the causes they care about. What drives our students to engage in civic life and create calls to action? What barriers exist for young people pursuing activism? And how can we support students who desire...

Over 50 million people have played Dungeons & Dragons since its creation in 1974, and the game remains highly popular today, especially among teens. Can the world of fantastical creatures be adapted for classrooms to improve learning engagement? In what ways might tabletop gaming help students develop life skills? And how might games like Dungeons & Dragons inspire students' educational and career...

According to a new report from the Wallace Foundation, effective administrative leadership is key to student success. In fact, leadership was found to be only second to teaching when it comes to influencing academic outcomes such as reading proficiency. What can schools do to enhance the professional development of their principals and administrators? What effect can strong leadership have on stud...

According to Publishers Weekly, sales of comic books and graphic novels increased by 62% in 2021, to over $2 billion dollars. With their ongoing popularity among youth, can comic books help encourage a love of reading among students? Do comic authors write differently for younger audiences?  And how might comic books and graphic novels be used in the classroom?  In this episode, Kevin discusses ho...

Poetry is one of the oldest forms of communication in human history. But is it still relevant today, in our multimedia, digital age? What values and skills do kids learn by exploring poetry? How does poetry contribute to students' development as a whole, and how should it fit into reading education? Can poetry be a force for good in society?   In this episode, Kevin discusses how we can foster a l...

Parents and educators alike are increasingly concerned about reading proficiency in the wake of the pandemic. According to a recent study by Amplify, only 55% of third graders in the U.S. are on track for developing critical reading skills, with at least 30% in need of intensive intervention. What factors are most important in teaching a child to read, and what are best practices for instruction?...

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the U.S. were cutting back on arts education. However, studies have shown that students who have arts included in their core curriculum not only see improvements in reading and math but also experience lower suspension and dropout rates. Why is it important for students to be exposed to art and culture? What kind of impact does it have on their lea...

According to a recent EdBuild study, majority-nonwhite districts nationwide receive 23 billion dollars less in funding every year than majority-white districts, despite serving the same number of students. Funding not only affects the quality of school facilities but access to up-to-date instructional materials. This gap impacts students' education and perpetuates racial and economic inequities in...

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, school disciplinary policies often disproportionately affect black students. Black students are suspended or expelled at three times the rate of white students and are three times more likely to enter the juvenile justice system. How can we hold students accountable for their actions and still provide support in the ways that they need? What are som...

In the wake of the pandemic and online learning, many are rethinking the traditional model of public education. Educational innovators are increasingly incorporating project-based learning as an alternative to standardized curriculum and testing. Some argue that it can lead to more equitable outcomes for all students and better prepare students for team-based professional work.  How is the traditi...

In recent years, school choice has become a growing issue among parents. A 2022 National School Choice Week survey found that more than half of parents were considering a different school for one of their children. In our shifting education landscape, some parents are turning away from public schools, while others remain staunch advocates of public education. But is it really just an either/or dis...