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The Purple Zone
Welcome to The Purple Zone (formerly Our Kids Our Schools).
Bridging the Gap between Public Policy, Practice & People.
The Purple Zone explores what it really means to align how we govern, how we educate, and how we show up for our communities.
Hosted by Alexis — a PhD student in public policy and administration, and longtime educator and advocate for kids, communities, and the systems that shape our lives. This podcast connects the dots between policy and practice, without the politics or platitudes.
It’s about naming what often goes unsaid — and making space for a more honest, human approach to systems that impact all of us.
How systems shape our communities, from policy on paper to action in practice. + Thinking Out Loud as a PhD Student
The Purple Zone
Revamping Idaho's Grad Requirements: Digital Literacy & Future-Ready Students
Alexis welcomes Greg Wilson, Chief of Staff for Superintendent Debbie Critchfield of the Idaho Department of Education, to discuss the proposed changes to high school graduation requirements in Idaho. The conversation revolves around the process and rationale for these updates, which include replacing the speech credit with a digital literacy requirement. Greg outlines the procedure for implementing the changes, starting with a proposal from the Department of Education, approval by the State Board of Education, and final authorization from the Legislature, making this the first overhaul of graduation criteria in over a decade. The discussion touches on the four major proposals, including the addition of digital literacy, updates to the senior project, a guide for aligning electives with future goals, and ensuring students graduate with “currency” for their futures. Greg addresses questions about the quality and rigor of the new digital literacy course, concerns about the loss of essential interpersonal skills, and potential impacts on speech teachers. Throughout the episode, the balancing act between modernizing education and preserving critical soft skills takes center stage. These changes, if approved, are expected to be fully implemented for the graduating class of 2028.
Find Alexis on Instagram and JOIN in the conversation: https://www.instagram.com/the_idaho_lady/
JOIN the convo on Substack & STAY up-to-date with emails and posts https://substack.com/@theidaholady?r=5katbx&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page
Send Alexis an email with guest requests, ideas, or potential collaboration.
alexis@ourkidsourschools.com
Find great resources and info on school communities:
https://ourkidsourschools.com/