Talk Out of School
Education & Explainer
About
Hosted by Leonie Haimson (Class Size Matters), Dr. Kaliris Salas-Ramirez and Daniel Alicea (Educators of NYC)
Episodes
- How parents convinced Los Angeles school board to limit screen time & ed tech
Los Angeles Unified School District will implement screen time limitations for students beginning in the 2026-27 school year. This episode also touches on critiques of AI guidance for schools and the Student Tech Bill of Rights.
- A Conversation with Marianne Pizzitola and Arthur Goldstein: Who Pays Later? NYC’s Pension and Healthcare Fight
This episode examines New York City's financial strategies concerning pensions and healthcare, addressing proposals like pension re-amortization, potential borrowing through pension obligation bonds, and the implications of Intro 1096.
- Why opting out of NY State tests is still important & why recess should be required
This episode covers the ongoing importance of opting out of New York State tests and the push for mandatory recess. It references articles concerning calls for a moratorium on AI in schools and explores the Finnish approach to free play fo…
- Results of Ed Week's national survey of teachers
This episode covers testimony on the NYC DOE
- Controversial bills to restrict protests around schools and churches.
This episode of Talk Out of School examines proposed bills aimed at restricting protests in the vicinity of schools and churches. It includes a discussion on why such legislation is considered unwise and unfair, referencing multiple news a…
- A CONVERSATION WITH DISTRICT 3 PARENTS: CHALLENGING NYCPS UTILIZATION PROPOSALS
Kaliris speaks to District 3 parents from PS 191, Community Action and Center School about utilization proposals and more.
- A Conversation with David Kazansky - Educator, Unionist, Three-Term NYC TRS Trustee
Learn more about David here: http://wetrustdavid.org/Bio Learn more about NYCTRS: https://www.trsnyc.org
- Interview with Sen. Liu plus testimony from parents & advocates on Mayoral control
NY1, Sen. Liu on the NY Education budget, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbrPmoS70Do Queens Chronicle, Chancellor expresses concern on class size https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/chancellor-expresses-concern-on-class-size/articl…
- The risks of using AI in the classroom
Brookings Institution, A New Direction for Students in an AI World; https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/A-New-Direction-for-Students-in-an-AI-World-FULL-REPORT.pdf ; A one-page summary of the Brookings report; https://www.…
- Do the priorites of NYC Chancellor Samuels represent a new vision for our public schools?
Kaliris has a conversation with three leaders in education policy around integration and culturally responsive and sustaining education focused on the new Chancellor's priorities. They discuss whether they represent a new vision for public…
- The best and worst education stories of 2025: Part II
Daniel, Leonie and Kaliris discuss the best and worst education stories of 2025: Part II
- The best and worst education stories of 2025: Part I
Daniel, Leonie and Kaliris discuss the best and worst education stories, nationally and locally, in 2025. Part II was aired a week later.
- Charter scandals: waste, fraud and mismanagement
National Center for Charter School Accountability, Charter School Reckoning, Part I: Decline at https://networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Charter-School-Reckoning-FINAL-1.pdf Charter School Reckoning, Part II: Disill…
- Why parents should not buy AI toys for their kids
Network for Public Education, Charter School Reckoning: Disillusionment; https://networkforpubliceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Charter-School-Reckoning-Disillusionment.pdf FTC takes action against Illuminate for failing to secur…
- What the results of the recent elections mean for our public schools
NY Daily News, Mamdani plan to scale back NYC gifted and talented program reignites simmering controversy, https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/10/04/mamdani-plan-to-scale-back-nyc-gifted-and-talented-program-reignites-simmering-controversy/ a…
- Problems with school busing and the threat of a shutdown
Class Size Matters presentation, How NYC parents can better protect their children's privacy https://classsizematters.org/how-nyc-can-better-protect-their-childrens-privacy/ Questions parents should be asking their schools about their use…
- NYC teachers speak out on AI in the classroom
Chancellor Ramos delivers 2025 State of our Schools remarks; https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/news/announcements/contentdetails/2025/09/29/chancellor-melissa-aviles-ramos-delivers-2025-state-of-our-schools-remarks Liat Olenick, NYC sch…
- What really happened to New Orleans schools after Katrina hit?
Gothamist, “From burner phones to decks of cards: NYC teens are adjusting to the smartphone ban” https://gothamist.com/news/from-burner-phones-to-decks-of-cards-nyc-teens-are-adjusting-to-the-smartphone-ban?ref=hellgatenyc.com Chalkbeat, “…
- Reflections on the Panel for Educational Policy
Kaliris interviews Tom Sheppard, former CEC Bronx Representative on the Panel for Educational Policy, who reflects on his time on the Panel.
- Is Integration the Solution to Attain Racial Equity in NYC Schools?
Alexandra Freidus, Unequal Lessons: School Diversity and Educational Inequality in New York City, https://nyupress.org/9781479827817/unequal-lessons/ Alexandra Freidus, CV, https://education.uconn.edu/person/alexandra-freidus/ WEB Dubois,…
- Interview with Diane Ravitch Part II
Ed Week, Senators—Including Republicans—Reject All of Trump’s Proposed Education Cuts, https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/senators-including-republicans-reject-all-of-trumps-proposed-education-cuts/2025/07 Text of College Transparency…
- Latest Education News -- The UFT 6 Firings; Replay of A Conversation with Arthur Goldstein
Union Matter - Arthur Goldstein blog NY Post - NYC teachers’ union boss Mike Mulgrew ousts rivals, critics from UFT payroll in 'purge' The Wire - 'We Are the Union': Time to Let UFT Staffers Unionize and End Patronage Rule Katie Helene Sub…
- A Conversation with Leah Lin; Replay of A Conversation with Gaspare Randazzo
Leah Lin Instagram Gaspare Randazzo website
- Diane Ravitch on her political evolution & unprecedented damage being done by Donald Trump
Politico, Zohran Mamdani leads general election poll for NYC mayor, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/09/zohran-mamdani-leads-general-election-poll-00443469 AI in the classroom, Presentation at Network for Public Education conference,…
- The Latest Edu News and A Conversation with Marianne Pizzitola
NYC Retirees - http://nycretirees.org Chalkbeat NY - Zohran Mamdani on education: The Democratic primary winner’s plans for NYC schools Chalkbeat NY - NYC budget deal includes free child care pilot program, boost for preschoolers with disa…
- Polarized parent-led Community Education Councils in NYC & results of recent elections
NYC Parent Blog, The NYC Mayoral debate and what the candidates said on class size, https://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-nyc-mayoral-debate-regarding-class.html NY1, Mayoral winner likely won’t be clear until July 1, htt…
- An education justice roadmap for NYC's next mayor
Matt Gonzales is a longtime organizer, policy expert, and champion for education justice. He’s worked with IntegrateNYC, NY Appleseed, and the NYU Metro Center — and most recently, he’s been supporting the work of NY4RJPS, the New York Coa…
- Trump's aggressive detention & attempt to deport NYC high school student
Parent Coalition for Student Privacy, Parent, advocate letter opposing weakening of Chancellor's regulation A-820 https://studentprivacymatters.org/parent-leaders-elected-officials-advocates-members-of-chancellors-data-privacy-working-grou…
- Religious charter schools; what will be the likely impact if Supreme Court approves?
Daily News, New formula for N.Y. State education aid turns out to be bad news for NYC, https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/05/08/new-formula-for-n-y-state-education-aid-turns-out-to-be-bad-news-for-nyc/ Times Union, Education commissioner say…
- Is Trump Trying to Force Education Into a New Dark Age?
Julian Vasquez Heilig's blog, Cloaking Inequity, https://cloakinginequity.com/ US Dept of Education "Dear Colleague" letter, February 14, 2025, https://www.ed.gov/media/document/dear-colleague-letter-sffa-v-harvard-109506.pdf US Dept of Ed…
- The lawsuit to stop Trump from dismantling the Dept of Education
MPR News, Trump to sign order aiming to close the Education Department, https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/20/npr-trump-executive-action-education-department NY Times, Teachers Unions Sue Trump Administration Over Push to Shut Education…
- Michael Mulgrew on Mayoral and UFT elections
Leonie interviews Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, on the upcoming Mayoral and UFT elections, his record as President and goals if re-elected for a sixth term, as well as the hot button issues of Medicare Ad…
- A Conversation with UFT presidential candidate, Amy Arundell - Part 1
A Better Contract. - http://abettercontract.org Amy Arundell for UFT President: A New Era for the UFT, Its Members, and the People They Serve
- Audrey Watters on the dangers of using AI in the classroom
Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, Feb. 12, 2025, A Message for Families Regarding Non-Local Law Enforcement, https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/messages-for-families AP, Feb. 11, 2025, DOGE cuts $900 million from agency that tracks Americ…
- Conversation with Greg Faulkner, Panel for Educational Policy chair
Chalkbeat, Some crowded NYC schools want enrollment caps to cut class sizes. Will the city pay for it? https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2025/01/22/overcrowded-schools-seek-enrollment-caps-cut-class-sizes/ Gothamist, Gov. Hochul's NY schoo…
- A Conversation with Paul Egan - Educator, Unionist and former UFT Political Director
Daniel interviews veteran educator, unionist and former political director of the United Federation of Teachers, Paul Egan. We discuss his nearly ten year tenure as the United Federation of Teachers' political director -- from the Bloomber…
- The best and worst in education during 2024, and our hopes for 2025
Class Size Matters and Education Law Center, Letter to the Commissioner Rosa about DOE's failure to comply with the class size law. https://classsizematters.org/class-size-matters-education-law-center-letter-to-commissioner-asking-that-she…
- What we should fear most from Trump's education policies
NYC Parent Blog, on the SHSAT and Chancellors regulations on privacy; https://nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com/2024/12/comments-on-shsat-and-chancellors.html Class Size Matters, Presentation to CPAC: Problems with the DOE's failure to i…
- Concerns with testing: SHSAT, Regents exams, digital SAT, & more with Akil Bello
CNN, Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education pick, was sued for allegedly enabling sexual abuse of children https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/21/business/linda-mcmahon-abuse-wwe-trump-education/index.html Advocates for Children, Student Homelessness in…
- Trans formative Schools
Trans formative Schools Instagram page https://www.instagram.com/trans.formative.schools/ Trans formative schools website https://www.transformativeschools.org/](https://www.transformativeschools.org/) Simón(e) Sun, PhD website https://sim…
- The potential impact of Project 2025 and the Presidential elections on our schools
Parent Coalition for Student Privacy, Letter opposing the proposed revisions to Chancellors regulation A-820; https://classsizematters.org/serious-concerns-with-does-proposed-weakening-of-their-student-privacy-regulations-how-you-can-help/…
- Billionaire-backed bigots on NYC Community Education Councils
The 74, In Private Texts, NY Ed Council Reps, Congressional Candidate Demean LGBTQ Kids, https://www.the74million.org/article/in-private-texts-ny-ed-council-reps-congressional-candidate-demean-lgbtq-kids/ Hedgeclippers, Billionaire-Backed…
- What’s going on with the UFT Welfare Fund?- with Marianne Pizzitola and Ronnie Almonte
Jonathan Halabi - UFT Welfare Fund nest egg – bigger than most nests Ronnie Almonte - The UFT Welfare Fund Widens Gap Between Investments and Benefits Paid—Again Ronnie Almonte - The UFT Welfare Fund is Prioritizing Investments over Dental…
- What the hell is happening with Chicago schools?
NYTimes, David Banks, N.Y.C. Schools Chancellor, Moves Up His Departure, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/02/nyregion/david-banks-schools-chancellor-resign.html Chalkbeat NY, Departing NYC chancellor David Banks’ next act? Writing a book, h…
- History of Central Park East
www.cpe1.nyc/fifty - Central Park East I Website https://vimeo.com/13993087 - Why We are Here, short documentary https://highqualityearlylearning.org/pre-k-videos/ - Walking Alongside the Learner, short documentary https://deborahmeier.com…
- Roundtable News Recap with NYC Schools PEP Members - Tom Sheppard and Jessamyn Lee
Mayor Eric Adams Indicted by Federal Grand Jury - The City Mayor Eric Adams faces federal indictment hours after naming new schools chancellor - Chalkbeat NY NYC schools Chancellor David Banks announces he’s retiring amid federal investiga…
- Student privacy concerns with Teenspace and AI
amNYC, Education advocates blast DOE for having ‘no plan’ for smaller class sizes; https://www.amny.com/news/nyc-education-advoactes-doe-plan-class-sizes/ NYC Public School Parents, More evidence in the just-released Mayor's Management Rep…
- Controversy, cronyism, and corruption at City Hall and Tweed
The City, Adams Family Values: A Guide to the Kin and Friends New York City’s Mayor Relies On; https://www.thecity.nyc/2024/09/12/eric-adams-family-nypd-connections-fbi-investigation-banks-caban/ AP, A tech company hired a top NYC official…
- Problems with NYC's PreK/3K program: funding, excessive data collection & scripted curriculum
NY Post, Parents, educators beg NYC to allow shorter days for tots starting 3-K, pre-K: ‘Cruel and abusive’ https://nypost.com/2024/08/24/us-news/parents-educators-beg-nyc-to-allow-shorter-days-for-tots-starting-3-k-pre-k-cruel-and-abusive…
- The Role of Private Equity in Teacher Pensions and Healthcare
Second City Teachers - Jim Vail New AFT Pension Report Calls Out Private Equity Firms’ Labor Practices Fighting The Harmful Impacts Of Private Equity On Our Economy, Public Pension Funds And Healthcare System