Starlee Coleman, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ new CEO, joins the podcast to celebrate National Charter Schools Week and the 30th anniversary of the federal Charter School Program. Coleman discusses her 25 years of fighting for education freedom, from overhauling over 100 Texas charter regulations to securing bipartisan wins. Get the scoop on federal policy threats, rural charter growth, and the St. Isidore Supreme Court case that could redefine charters.

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David Zweig joins Freedom to Learn to discuss his new book, "An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions," a piercing exposé of America’s COVID-era school closure debacle. Zweig reveals how media, health “experts,” and teachers unions ignored real-time evidence, amplified fear, and prioritized politics over children, with devastating class-based consequences. His book uncovers the groupthink and failures that prolonged closures and equips readers to spot similar missteps in future crises.

An Abundance of Caution: American Schools, the Virus, and a Story of Bad Decisions: https://www.amazon.com/Abundance-Caution-American-Schools-Decisions/dp/0262549158

How Covid Lies Destroyed Kids’ Lives: https://www.thefp.com/p/david-zweig-covid-lies-school-lockdowns-destroyed-kids-lives

Congressional hearing on the Consequences of School Closures: Intended and Unintended: https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/the-consequences-of-school-closures-intended-and-unintended/

🔗 Links & Resources:

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💡 Stay Connected:

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📩 Contact Us:
If you have feedback or suggestions for future podcasts, please reach out to us at Podcast@DFIPolicy.org.

🎧 Thank You for Listening:
Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org.

If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!

Maine State Representative Laurel Libby joins Freedom to Learn to share the personal and political fallout from her public stand on women’s sports. After posting a photo exposing a biological male’s victory in a girls’ track event, Libby was censured by Maine’s Democratic majority and stripped of her voting rights in the legislature. In this candid conversation, Libby discusses the policy shifts in Maine, the federal legal battles now underway, and her ongoing fight for the rights of girls, women, and parents.

Republican legislator appeals to Supreme Court to end censure over social media post: https://mainemorningstar.com/briefs/republican-legislator-appeals-to-supreme-court-to-end-censure-over-social-media-post/

Attorney General Pamela Bondi Announces Enforcement Actions Against the State of Maine for Violating Title IX: https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/attorney-general-pamela-bondi-announces-enforcement-actions-against-state-maine-violating

U.S. Department of Education Announces Consequences for Maine’s Title IX Noncompliance: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-announces-consequences-maines-title-ix-noncompliance

🔗 Links & Resources:

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💡 Stay Connected:

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📩 Contact Us:
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🎧 Thank You for Listening:
Freedom to Learn is a production of the Defense of Freedom Institute. You can learn more about DFI at DFIPolicy.org.

If you enjoyed this episode, please give it a thumbs up, share it, and subscribe for more insights into education law and policy. Thank you for your support!