Policy Changes Lives, an ExcelinEd podcast
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Podcast Overview
<p>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.</p><br><p>From back-to-school in September through November, experts from the <strong>ExcelinEd</strong> 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. </p><br><p>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.</p><br><p><strong>Why should you listen?</strong></p><ul><li>You'll learn about the latest trends in K-12 education policy.</li><li>You'll hear from policymakers, educators and researchers who are shaping the future of education.</li><li>You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how education policy is made.</li><li>You'll be inspired to engage in the K-12 education systems and policy areas that matter to you.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Please subscribe and follow @ExcelinEd on Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Thank you for listening!</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Language
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Publishing Since
8/29/2024
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Recent Episodes
December 11, 2025
Education policy trends to watch in 2026 | Patricia Levesque
<p>In this season finale of Policy Changes Lives, ExcelinEd VP of Policy <strong>Cara Candal</strong> sits down with ExcelinEd CEO <strong>Patricia Levesque</strong> to break down the most important education policy trends state leaders need to watch as 2026 approaches. </p><br><p>From new efforts to strengthen middle-grade literacy to a rapid expansion of math policy reform, Patricia walks through where states are headed—and why foundational skills will continue to dominate legislative agendas. The conversation also explores rising interest in postsecondary return-on-investment, updated accountability and data systems, workforce-aligned pathways, digital distraction policies like phone-free schools, and what states can expect as AI tools reshape classrooms and policymaking. </p><br><p>Cara and Patricia reflect on the biggest themes from the 2025 season and discuss how governors, legislators and education chiefs can prepare for a policy year defined by both urgency and opportunity. If you want to understand the landscape heading into 2026—and what it will take to drive meaningful impact for students—this episode is the perfect place to start. </p><br><p><strong>Remember to join the conversation on social media. </strong> </p><br><p><a href="https://x.com/ExcelinEd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X</a> </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/excelined" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram </a> </p><p> </p><p>ExcelinEd on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ExcelinEd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </p><p> </p><p>ExcelinEd on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/excelined/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
December 4, 2025
BONUS: Key takeaways you missed from sessions at the National Summit on Education
<p>Couldn’t make it to the 2025 National Summit on Education—or just couldn’t be in three strategy sessions at once? In this special bonus episode, host <strong>Dr. Cara Candal</strong> pulls together some of the most important ideas, quotes and policy takeaways from across the Summit’s strategy sessions and mainstage conversations. </p><br><p>Across three days, state leaders, practitioners and advocates dug into the big questions driving education policy right now: </p><p><br></p><ul><li>How do we close achievement gaps in reading and math? </li><li>What does real college and career readiness look like? </li><li>How should states rethink funding, school choice, civics, and digital learning for a new generation of students? </li></ul><p><br></p><p>Cara takes you behind the scenes, weaving together clips from multiple sessions and connecting them to the practical realities facing governors, legislators and state agencies in the year ahead. </p><br><p>To listen to the full 2025 ExcelinEd National Summit on Education strategy session audios as well as our keynotes from the main stage, visit our YouTube playlist: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj48WE9RS6E&list=PLamKh0vaiRJOqVYjpgynniKnpJ5bjJ3rh" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj48WE9RS6E&list=PLamKh0vaiRJOqVYjpgynniKnpJ5bjJ3rh</a> </p><br><p><strong>Remember to join the conversation on social media. </strong> </p><br><p><a href="https://x.com/ExcelinEd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X</a> </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/excelined" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram </a> </p><p> </p><p>ExcelinEd on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ExcelinEd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </p><p> </p><p>ExcelinEd on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/excelined/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
November 20, 2025
From the 2025 Summit Main Stage | Gov. Jeb Bush & Hanna Skandera
<p>In this episode of Policy Changes Lives, ExcelinEd’s Founder, Chairman and 43rd Governor of Florida Jeb Bush takes the main stage with President and CEO of the Daniels Fund Hanna Skandera to open the 17th annual <a href="https://nationalsummit.streampoint.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Summit on Education in New Orleans</a> with a powerful conversation on the future of learning, leadership and opportunity in America. </p><br><p>Reflecting on lessons from two decades of education reform and leadership through crises, Gov. Bush shares his vision for helping every student succeed through proven, student-centered policies that close learning gaps, expand parental choice and strengthen pathways to in-demand careers. The conversation touches on key themes from this year’s Summit—from rebuilding trust in higher education and addressing digital distraction in schools to balancing innovation in artificial intelligence with safeguards that protect children and preserve great teaching. </p><br><p>Gov. Bush also reflects on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and how Louisiana leaders transformed a moment of devastation into an education renaissance. His candid Q&A sets the stage for two days of action-oriented discussions, challenging policymakers to “go big and be bold” in tackling today’s toughest education challenges. </p><br><p>Listeners will leave inspired to reimagine education policy, recommit to the fundamentals of reading and math and build a future where every child has the chance to thrive. </p><br><p><strong>Remember to join the conversation on social media. </strong> </p><br><p><a href="https://x.com/ExcelinEd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ExcelinEd (@ExcelinEd) / X</a> </p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/excelined" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ExcelinEd(@excelined) • Instagram </a> </p><p> </p><p>ExcelinEd on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/ExcelinEd" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </p><p> </p><p>ExcelinEd on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/excelined/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a> </p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
27 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Policy Changes Lives, an ExcelinEd podcast?
<p>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.</p><br><p>From back-to-school in September through November, experts from the <strong>ExcelinEd</strong> 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. </p><br><p>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.</p><br><p><strong>Why should you listen?</strong></p><ul><li>You'll learn about the latest trends in K-12 education policy.</li><li>You'll hear from policymakers, educators and researchers who are shaping the future of education.</li><li>You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how education policy is made.</li><li>You'll be inspired to engage in the K-12 education systems and policy areas that matter to you.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Please subscribe and follow @ExcelinEd on Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Thank you for listening!</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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