Polarization in Public Education: Teaching “Democratic” Values in a Trump-Era Democracy

Discussion on the Trump-era of public school education. How Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, a woman of privilege, who never attended public school – thinks she knows better what works than those entrenched in the system for years. Hear from Dr. Meira Levinson – former public school classroom teacher, now professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Hear what she hears from educators in the field, the ethical dilemmas they face when children chant ‘build that wall’ and ‘lock her up’ and single out minority students in the classroom. Because they heard from the President – that gives it legitimacy in the eyes of children – putting educators in the role of referee, peacekeeper and ethics trainer. An eye opening discussion on changing role of educators in the Trump-era Democracy.

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Digital Dilemmas in Public Education: Privacy, iPads & ICE

Dr. Meira Levinson of Harvard Graduate School of Education discussing the privacy issues that arise when schools provide iPads to students – how school personnel can monitor students at home and invade their privacy. Discussion on how ICE agents have used the information gleaned from digital devices to assess immigration status of students and parents for deportation. What every parent should understand that many of the permission forms their child brings home from school, actually can lead to loss of privacy in their own home. What every parent should know.

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