Talk Education
Discussion about important education topics happening all over the country.
Episodes
1841 episodes
Washington, D.C. School Choice Guide for 2026-27
Looking at school options in Washington, D.C. for the 2026-27 school year? Families can use the My School DC lottery to apply to multiple public and charter schools through one application while keeping track of deadlines, waitlists, and enroll...
Iowa School Funding Changes for the 2026 Fiscal Year
How does Iowa decide how much money each school district receives? The state's funding formula combines local property taxes with state aid, while new legislation for the 2026 fiscal year proposes changes to funding growth, transportation...
Hawaii School Enrollment Deadlines for 2026-2027
When should families begin the Hawaii school enrollment process? Most public schools accept enrollment year-round, but geographic exception requests have early application windows, making advance planning important. Understanding residenc...
Massachusetts Public School Enrollment: What Families Should Know
Can your child attend a public school outside the town where you live in Massachusetts? While residency is the foundation of enrollment, charter schools, vocational programs, and school choice opportunities can provide additional options ...
Pennsylvania Dual Enrollment Expands College Opportunities
Can Pennsylvania students earn college credit before graduating high school? Dual enrollment programs let eligible students take college courses while in high school, potentially saving time and tuition costs while preparing them for college-le...
Montana Expands Addiction Treatment in State Correctional Facilities
Can expanding addiction treatment inside prisons improve public safety after release? Montana is strengthening correctional care by providing medication-assisted treatment, clinical evaluations, and planning for continued recovery before ...
How Rhode Island County Jails Balance Safety and Rehabilitation
What does it take to keep Rhode Island county jails safe while preparing inmates for successful reentry? From staffing shortages and mental health care to inmate classification and modern technology, correctional leaders must manage a wid...
Hawaii School Attendance Rules Every Family Should Know
Did you know missing just 10% of the school year can classify a Hawaii student as chronically absent? Hawaii requires children ages 5 through 18 to attend school, with limited exceptions, and families are responsible for ensuring regular ...
Utah School Governance: Who Makes Education Decisions?
Ever wondered who decides what happens in Utah's public schools? While the Utah State Board of Education sets statewide standards like graduation requirements and teacher licensing, local school boards oversee district budgets, facilities, and ...
Tennessee Strengthens School Bullying Prevention Efforts
How can schools better protect students from bullying both in and outside the classroom? Tennessee requires districts to investigate reports, keep families informed, and maintain clear anti-bullying procedures while proposed 2026 changes ...
Alaska School Enrollment: What Families Need to Know
When should families register for school in Alaska? There isn't a single statewide enrollment deadline, so each district sets its own schedule, making it important to check with your local school or district early. Preparing documents lik...
Louisiana Expands Opioid Treatment in Corrections
Can medication-assisted treatment save lives after incarceration? Louisiana is considering changes that would expand access to FDA-approved opioid treatment, improve reentry planning, and help reduce overdose deaths after release. While s...
How Montana Stops Contraband Before It Reaches Prisons
How do Montana correctional facilities keep dangerous contraband out? The state combines searches, body scanners, mail screening, and other security measures to detect weapons, drugs, and unauthorized electronics before they threaten safety. Th...
Iowa School Transportation: Safety, Routes, and Student Access
Who decides how students get to school safely in Iowa? While the state sets strict safety standards and inspection requirements, local school districts handle routes, schedules, and weather-related transportation decisions. Families shoul...
Kansas Attendance Laws: What Parents Should Know
Could a few missed school days lead to bigger problems than you think? Kansas law requires most children to attend an approved educational program while encouraging schools to work with families to overcome challenges like illness, disabi...
Connecticut's Unified Prison System: One Agency, One Challenge
What happens when an entire state's jails and prisons are managed by one agency? Connecticut's centralized correctional system creates consistent oversight, but it also places all staffing, healthcare, transportation, and operational responsibi...
Virginia School Immunization Rules Every Parent Should Know
Is your child up to date on Virginia's required school vaccines? Students attending public and private schools must meet state immunization requirements unless they qualify for an approved medical or religious exemption, while the HPV vac...
Virginia School Immunization Rules Every Parent Should Know
Is your child up to date on Virginia's required school vaccines? Students attending public and private schools must meet state immunization requirements unless they qualify for an approved medical or religious exemption, while the HPV vac...
Rhode Island Prison Healthcare Costs Continue to Rise
How do states manage the rising cost of healthcare behind bars? Rhode Island spent more than $32 million on correctional healthcare in fiscal year 2025, driven by chronic illnesses, mental health needs, and substance use treatment. Officials ar...
Pennsylvania PREA Standards: Building Safer Correctional Facilities
How does Pennsylvania work to prevent sexual abuse in its correctional facilities? The state follows a zero-tolerance approach through specialized staff training, independent audits, clear reporting systems, and oversight at both the faci...
South Dakota School Immunization Requirements Explained
Starting school in South Dakota? Students entering preschool through 12th grade must meet state immunization requirements or qualify for a legal exemption, with additional meningitis and Tdap vaccines required before sixth grade. Families are e...
Maine IEP vs. 504 Plans: Understanding the Key Differences
What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan, and why does it matter? In Maine, IEPs provide specialized instruction for eligible students with disabilities, while 504 plans ensure equal access to education through accommodations. Under...
South Carolina Prisons: Can Better Retention Solve Staffing?
Why are so many correctional officers leaving South Carolina's prisons? High turnover and staffing shortages can affect safety, morale, and daily operations, prompting the state to focus on better pay, mentorship, predictable schedules, a...
Hawaii School Calendar Sets 2026-27 and 2027-28 Schedules
When do Hawaii students start and finish school? Hawaii's official school calendar maps out the 2026-27 and 2027-28 academic years, including key breaks and important dates for families to plan ahead. Most public schools follow the statew...
West Virginia State Testing: What Families Need to Know
How does West Virginia measure student learning across the state? Students take required assessments at different grade levels to help schools monitor progress, identify learning gaps, and support academic achievement, while accommodation...
Alabama PREA Standards Strengthen Correctional Facility Safety
How does Alabama work to protect incarcerated people from sexual abuse and misconduct? The state follows PREA standards through staff training, inmate screenings, regular audits, and clear reporting procedures across correctional faciliti...
North Dakota Reentry Focus Starts Before Release
What if successful reentry began long before someone left prison? North Dakota's approach connects housing, employment, health care, and recovery services through partnerships that support people before and after release. By improving acc...
New Hampshire Expands Focus on Prison Rehabilitation
Can rehabilitation make communities safer in the long run? New Hampshire is investing in education, job training, substance use treatment, and reentry support to help incarcerated individuals build stable lives after release. The state's ...
Nevada School Vaccination Requirements for Student Enrollment
Are your child's vaccinations up to date for school in Nevada? Students attending public, private, charter schools, childcare, and some higher education programs must meet state immunization requirements, with medical and religious exemptions a...
Washington School Choice: What Families Need to Know
Looking beyond your assigned neighborhood school in Washington? Families can explore options like interdistrict transfers, charter schools, online learning, and other approved programs, but admission often depends on district policies, av...