Education Matters With MySchoolOptions

John Elcesser, the executive director of Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA), discusses his background in non-public education and the importance of school choice advocacy. He highlights the impact of non-public schools in Indiana and the need for diverse educational options. Elcesser emphasizes the role of advocacy in protecting and expanding school choice programs, and the importance of grassroots support. He shares his favorite moments of successful advocacy efforts and the growth of enrollment in non-public schools. Elcesser also looks ahead to the goal of universal school choice in Indiana by 2025. The future of school choice is moving towards universal access, with the goal of providing choice to all families. However, there is a concern about regulatory creep, where more regulations are being imposed on non-public and choice schools, dampening their excitement. Advocacy is crucial to ensure the expansion of school choice and address barriers such as transportation and athletic eligibility. Capital-related issues, like limited access to outside funding, also pose challenges for non-public schools. The SGO program has been instrumental in making high school education affordable, and there is a need to keep it viable and explore ways to enhance it. It is essential for individuals to be involved, engaged, and informed in the political process to support school choice initiatives. Takeaways Non-public schools in Indiana have made significant contributions to the educational landscape and have produced many leaders in the state. Advocacy is crucial for protecting and expanding school choice programs, and grassroots support plays a vital role in influencing legislators. The impact of school choice legislation can be seen in increased enrollment and growth of non-public schools. The goal of universal school choice in Indiana by 2025 is achievable with continued advocacy and engagement. The future of school choice is focused on achieving universal access for all families. Regulatory creep, with increasing regulations on non-public and choice schools, is a concern that dampens schools' excitement. The current system creates an awkward environment in schools where only a small percentage of families are eligible for choice programs. Advocacy is crucial to expand school choice and address barriers such as transportation and athletic eligibility. Capital-related issues, like limited access to outside funding, pose challenges for non-public schools. The SGO program has been instrumental in making high school education affordable and needs to be kept viable and enhanced. Individuals need to be involved, engaged, and informed in the political process to support school choice initiatives. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

Sarah and returning guest Molly from IQE cover all the news that’s fit to print about school choice around Indiana and the nation in this first news roundup segment! The two discuss the landscape of school choice in Indiana and the importance of policy and grassroots efforts in advancing school choice initiatives. They highlight the collaboration between policy and grassroots teams in achieving school choice expansions in the state. They also discuss the increasing attention and discussions around school choice in recent years, as well as the role of Indiana in paving the way for other states.  The conversation touches on the legislative process and the challenges of navigating different perspectives within the Republican Party. They also explore the cost savings of school choice programs and the positive outcomes of voucher programs in Indiana. Finally, they mention articles that discuss the cost of school choice and the different perspectives in the school choice debate.  The conversation explores the topic of school choice and its various aspects. The speakers emphasize that school choice does not demonize public schools but rather aims to provide parents with options for their children's education.  They discuss the importance of allowing parents to make decisions about their child's education and highlight the need for access to different types of schools. The conversation also touches on the misconception that school choice takes money away from public schools, emphasizing that the funds should follow the student. The speakers delve into the concept of micro schools and their benefits, particularly for rural communities. They conclude by noting that school choice is a dynamic and evolving movement that varies from state to state and will continue to expand and be implemented in the coming years. Read The Articles: In Arkansas, School Choice Is Encouraging Education Entrepreneurship U.S. Catholic school report highlights steady enrollment, disability accessibility, and school choice Opinion | Rural Republicans Embrace School Choice Tennessee House, Senate divided on school choice bill as governor aims for compromise School Choice Is Key to Ensuring Parents' Rights Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

Cesar is joined by Monique Love, a mother of four and an educator specializing in reading, who shares her unique perspective on education. She discusses her journey from being a public school teacher to becoming a homeschooling parent. Monique's decision to homeschool was influenced by her experiences in the school system and her desire to provide the best education for her children. She also talks about her involvement in evaluating charter schools and the challenges of ongoing evaluation. In this conversation, Monique Love discusses various aspects of education, including evaluation and coaching practices, what makes a great school, the importance of credible teachers, special education practices, and the need to pay teachers adequately. She emphasizes the role of advocacy and the importance of choices in education. Monique also shares her experience in finding school options and highlights the need to address barriers to ensure equitable access to high-quality education for all students. She encourages parents to be involved, ask questions, and hold schools accountable. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

Sarah is joined by Lorenza Jara Pastrick, Principal of the Bishop Knoll Institute, who shares her personal background and journey through education to end up as principal of her alma mater, the Bishop Knoll Institute. She discusses her experiences and the immense personal and professional rewards she has received by shepherding so many children in the region through their Catholic education journeys. Principal Pastrick covers the emergence of AI and coaching her students through booms in technological advancements in the tools available to kids with innovation coaches, breaks down how her STEM labs work differently than legacy schooling, and cover how this is all made possible by the advancement of school choice over the course of her career from a young teacher to now a school principal.  Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

Sarah is joined by Marcie Brown Carter, Executive Director of the Indiana Charter School Network, who shares her personal background and journey in education. She discusses her experience working with Governor Mitch Daniels and Dr. Tony Bennett, highlighting the accomplishments and challenges they faced in education policy over the course of her tenure. Marcie explains the role of the Indiana Charter School Network in supporting charter schools and advocating for school choice. She addresses misconceptions about charter schools and emphasizes their status as public schools. Marcie also shares insights for individuals aspiring to make an impact in education, encouraging them to start with their family and local community. Marcie discusses the importance of getting involved in your local community and paying attention to school board members and local legislators. She also shares her experience in finding the right school for her children, emphasizing that different schools have different strengths and weaknesses. Marcie encourages parents not to be discouraged and to keep looking for the right fit for their child. Finally, she talks about her motivation and passion for her work at the Indiana Charter School Network. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

In this conversation, School Choice parent advocate and medical momma Erica Hunt shares her family's journey in finding the right educational environment for their daughter Ella, who has special needs. They initially explored private school for a faith-based education but faced challenges as Ella's needs became more complex, resulting in the difficult decision to transition to homeschooling and, later, discovering the ESA program, which provided them with the flexibility and customization they needed. The ESA program has empowered Ella to learn at her own pace and pursue her interests. Erica advocates for expanding school choice options to meet the unique needs of every Hoosier child. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

Betsy J. Wiley, President and CEO of the Institute for Quality Education, discusses her background, community involvement, and the challenges and solutions facing kids and families today in K-12 education. She highlights the importance of community engagement in education and the need for a focus on literacy and numeracy. Betsy also discusses the initiatives and programs undertaken by the Institute for Quality Education to improve education in Indiana. She emphasizes the importance of empowering families and providing them with educational choices. Wiley shares her personal journey and insights, as well as her experience in political engagement and leadership in education advocacy.  Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

Mary Eaker, the executive director of the Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) program at IQE, shares her school choice journey and the evolution of the SGO program. She discusses the impact of school choice on students and families, as well as the challenges and misconceptions surrounding the concept. Mary emphasizes the importance of equitable access to quality education and the role of advocacy in achieving this goal. She also highlights the community-building aspect of the SGO program and the dedication of donors to supporting education options for students. Mary's passion and motivation stem from witnessing the success stories of students who have benefited from school choice. In this conversation, Mary and Sarah discuss the Indiana Tax Credit Scholarship Program and the role of Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) in providing scholarships to students. They also touch on the eligibility criteria and the impact of the program on Indiana families. Additionally, they talk about the history of the Institute for Quality Education as an SGO and its mission to provide scholarships to students across the state. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

This episode of Education Matters explores the landscape of public education in Indiana. Education Matters Co-host Sarah Milligan is joined by the Institute for Quality Education’s lobbyist Molly Collins, discussing the historical evolution of education in the state, from its agrarian roots through the industrial revolution to the present-day information age. The two spend time highlighting the importance of literacy in education and the challenges faced by vulnerable student populations. Molly and Sarah then examine graduation rates and iLearn scores, and what they mean as measures of student achievement. The episode concludes with Molly and Sarah discussing the existing barriers to educational freedom and the need for universal school choice. Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice

Education Matters is a podcast that explores the journey of Indiana's families in making school choice decisions. The podcast covers the landscape of K-12 education in Indiana and aims to give a voice to innovative school leaders, parents, and stakeholders in the school choice community. In this intro episode, join cohosts Sarah Milligan and Cesar Roman as they introduce the Institute for Quality Education (IQE) and My School Options (MSO) as organizations dedicated to empowering families and advocating for quality education in Indiana. The podcast will feature stories from parents, community builders, policymakers, and educators, providing insights into the impact of school choice on children's education.  Did you find this episode informative? Help us out! Leave a review Share it with your friends Give us a 5 Star rating on your podcatcher of choice