Policy Changes Lives is a weekly seasonal podcast that spotlights how the states are using thoughtful education policies to change students' lives for the better.
From back-to-school in September through November, experts from the ExcelinEd team share their expertise and interview policymakers, educators and researchers about transformative K-12 policies. Each week, we explore a different topic related to states' education policies, such as early literacy, math, the teacher pipeline, funding, the digital divide, education choice, reimagining learning, school accountability and college and career pathways.
In a nutshell: Policy Changes Lives is designed to inform and engage policymakers, educators and advocates about the latest trends in K-12 education policy.
Why should you listen?
You'll learn about the latest trends in K-12 education policy.
You'll hear from policymakers, educators and researchers who are shaping the future of education.
You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how education policy is made.
You'll be inspired to engage in the K-12 education systems and policy areas that matter to you.
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A state strategy for keeping effective teachers in the classroom | Sup. Mike Miles
In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Justine Morina, ExcelinEd senior policy director of teacher and school policy, sits down with Mike Miles, superintendent of Houston Independent School District, to explore how states can better recognize, reward and retain highly effective teachers. Drawing on his experience leading teacher compensation reforms in Dallas and Houston, Miles discusses how strategic compensation can strengthen teacher retention, support school improvement and expand students' access to excellent educators.
The conversation examines Texas' Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) (https://tiatexas.org/), a statewide program that rewards effective teachers with increased compensation while directing additional funding to high-need and rural schools. Miles shares insights on implementing performance-based compensation, measuring teacher effectiveness, building educator support and using strategic staffing as part of broader school turnaround efforts.
For state policymakers and education leaders, the episode offers a closer look at how thoughtful teacher compensation policies can help districts attract and retain talented educators, strengthen classroom instruction and improve student outcomes.
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8 Oct 2026
Building comprehensive literacy systems for older readers | Jeanne Schopf
In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, host Dr. Kymyona Burk, ExcelinEd senior policy fellow of literacy, sits down with Jeanne Schopf, a veteran K–12 educator, literacy coach, reading specialist and interventionist, to explore why improving literacy policy cannot stop in the early grades. Drawing on more than three decades of experience and her work on structured literacy, explicit instruction and the Science of Reading, Schopf discusses what it takes to help adolescent students who may still be developing the reading skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. As more states turn their attention to secondary literacy, the conversation examines how the needs of older readers connect to—and differ from—those of early learners.
Schopf also shares insights from Reading Isn’t Optional: Fulfilling the Promise of Literacy for Secondary Students (https://shop.thereadingleague.org/products/pre-order-reading-isn-t-optional-fulfilling-the-promise-of-literacy-for-secondary-students), highlighting the importance of sustained, evidence-based instruction and support throughout a student’s education. The conversation explores the policy levers and instructional practices state leaders can use to build comprehensive literacy systems that extend beyond the elementary years.
For policymakers and educators, the episode offers an important reminder: the promise of literacy must extend through every grade, ensuring students have the reading skills they need to access rigorous coursework, graduate prepared and succeed in life.
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1 Oct 2026
Implementing the federal scholarship tax credit | Luke Ragland
In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, hosts Ben DeGrow, ExcelinEd senior policy director of education choice, and Abby Burrola, ExcelinEd associate director of education choice policy, sit down with Luke Ragland, Daniels Fund Chief Impact Officer and former president of Ready Colorado, to explore how states can put the new federal scholarship tax credit program into action. Ragland breaks down the basic parameters of the 2025 federal law and recent guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department, including what states need to consider as they decide whether to participate and establish certification processes for scholarship-granting organizations.
The conversation takes a closer look at the state-level infrastructure needed to make the program work effectively, from building scholarship-granting organization capacity to establishing appropriate oversight and ensuring fiscal integrity. Ragland also explores how states can design implementation to serve students across public and private education, expand access to greater educational opportunity and integrate federal tax-credit donations with existing programs, such as education savings accounts and state tax-credit scholarships. The discussion offers practical considerations for state leaders navigating a new federal opportunity while building on the choice programs already serving families.
For policymakers, educators and advocates, the episode highlights an important opportunity: effective implementation will depend not only on making the federal tax credit available, but on creating the state systems, safeguards and partnerships needed to ensure scholarship dollars reach students and expand meaningful educational options.
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