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  3. Steven Wilson on How Social Justice Ideology, Colleges of Education, & Unions Derail Education Reform
February 26, 2026
February 26, 2026

•Episode length: 39m

Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies

Steven Wilson on How Social Justice Ideology, Colleges of Education, & Unions Derail Education Reform

Episode length: 39m

Subscribe to Freedom to LearnSubscribe

Social justice and “anti-racist” warriors are eroding the foundations of order and learning in schools. Steven Wilson, author of The Lost Decade: Returning to the Fight for Better Schools in America, joins the podcast for a frank discussion about the entities that forced the “lost decade” in K-12 education onto students, families, and school communities. We examine how colleges of education prioritize ideology, how union power and demands constrain district leadership, how the “No Excuses” charter model initially transformed outcomes for low-income students — and why some charter networks abandoned that focus. We explore the rise of anti-racism fervor that engulfed the K-12 sector, and what it will take to return to academic excellence.

There are bright spots, like New York’s Success Academy network. There are hard truths that must be reckoned with. And Steven assures us that there is a healthy path forward.

https://www.stevenfwilson.com/

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Host:
•Ginny Gentles

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