Chers at the capitol as lawmakers pass changes to school finance and property taxes. Will Texans more broadly be cheering as well? We’ll explore. Also, both Money for schools and property tax cuts passed by the Texas legislature. How’s that gonna work, exactly? We’ll take a closer look. And 50 years after Apollo 11, another trip to the moon in the works: this time it could be permanent. Plus the week in politics and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
education
Texas Standard: May 20, 2019
Where there’s smoke there’s, a lack of oversight? Calls for greater accountability in the aftermath of fires in the nation’s petrochemical capitol. Plus, a year and a half after the deadly mass shooting at Sutherland Springs a new chapter opens for the church and the community, we’ll take a look. Also, the difficulty of getting closure after the death of a loved one. Why it may be taking longer here in Texas. And at what price Whataburger? 6 billion dollars? The iconic Texas brand explores a possible sale. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Higher Ed: Need For Global Connections Prompts Campuses To Examine Role In Local Community Too
A “Higher Ed” listener who teaches English in Osaka, Japan wrote in requesting a discussion of what the listener characterizes as “the tension between servicing the local community near an institution and appealing to international elements (students, partnerships, etc.).” In this episode of the KUT podcast “Higher Ed,” KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss how campuses view their role in the local community and how that is balanced with farther flung connections.
You might have heard about “town-gown” relations, meaning the way a college or university interacts with the community where it is housed. Maybe this listener is curious about “globe-gown” relations?
Ed says he believes the focus of any higher education institution should, of course, be on the students, and any other relationships evolve from there.
“I believe that institutions of higher learning are designed for one purpose,” says Ed, “which is to inspire individuals to become better versions of themselves. And while the focus is on the students, obviously, I think that should spill out into the community at large.”
Ed believes international relationships do give both parties – both the institution and the country where connections are being made – an opportunity to grow.
“The idea of going out of one’s comfort zone and exploring a world and exploring people,” Ed says,” I think is a powerful way of learning for everybody, including those who are being visited.”
Listen to the full episode to hear more about how institutions balance “town-gown” and “globe-gown” relationships. It is also time for a new puzzler. Listen closely; this one contains a subtle arithmetic twist.
This episode was recorded on April 23, 2019.
Texas Standard: May 14, 2019
A bill killed by the LGBTQ caucus in the Texas House is revived in the senate. A battle in the culture wars? We’ll have the latest. Plus with the final day of this legislative session fast approaching, The Texas Senate appears to be fast tracking a religious liberty bill opponents say amounts to a license to discriminate against the LGBTQ community. We’ll have details. And, the helium shortage and Texas’ oversized role in it. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 7, 2019
Is a cut in property tax worth the hike in sales tax? A would be swap gets more scrutiny as an important vote looms on the horizon, we’ll do the numbers. Also, what would be a major expansion of the Texas medical marijuana program gets a big boost in the Texas House. And over on the Senate side, lawmakers take action on school finance fixes, we’ll have details. Also, the emergence of a video sparks calls to reopen the investigation into the arrest and death of Sandra Bland. Those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: May 6, 2019
And the results are in from cities across Texas. Is there a message voters are sending on the eve of a major national election season? We’ll explore. Also, the White House and Democrats in congress agree on infrastructure needs, at a price tag of 2 trillion dollars. Crazy money you say? If the sky’s the limit, what does Texas need most? And the effort to arm more marshals at Texas public schools, but some minority students say it makes them feel less safe, not more. Plus the Texan making maps for hoops and transforming the game of basketball. All of those stories and so much more today on the Texas Standard:
Higher Ed: The Community-Building Power Of Ritual In Education
The pomp and circumstance of graduation brings students, teachers, staff and family together to celebrate achievement and usher students onto their next steps in learning and life. That ritual not only honors students but also creates a shared opportunity for a campus community to strengthen bonds. In this episode of the KUT podcast “Higher Ed,” KUT’s Jennifer Stayton and Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger discuss the importance of ritual in education.
Graduation is probably the first ceremony that comes to mind when thinking about the rituals associated with education. Commencement certainly exists to celebrate achievements and bestow accolades. But Ed believes that ceremony also speaks to a deeper human truth.
“As human beings, we believe in community,” says Ed. “So the idea of having the community come together, which includes your family and your friends and your teachers and your colleagues who are students…. it’s a shared moment.”
Certainly the basic business of graduation could be done with no pomp and circumstance simply by mailing out diplomas at the end of the school year. Ed believes though that the entire community – not just the graduates – benefits from sharing in students’ triumphs.
“In today’s world, where everything moves so fast and everyone’s on their electronic devices,” says Ed, “to take a moment to come together as a community – whatever that definition means for that context of community, live in the same space – and celebrate that triumphant moment…it just uplifts the spirit. And so we want those moments of uplifting memories to hold onto.”
Most, if not all, of the rituals in education involve celebrating positive achievements. Left to his own devices to invent a new ritual in education, Ed would turn the focus to elevating something that is normally not celebrated – what he calls “effective failure” from which we learn lessons.
“I think the idea of having a big pomp and circumstance and genuine celebration when things don’t go right,” Ed believes, “as long as we have come to a place where we had an epiphany and we’re going to move forward in a way that will make us better – I think we should be celebrating that.”
Listen to the full episode for more on the role of ritual in education and what title Ed would give to his new ceremony. It is also time for the solution to last episode’s anagram puzzler. Listen closely, though, as it may not be as complicated as it first sounded.
This episode was recorded on April 2, 2019.
Standards
The Texas Legislature is considering changes to school standards. That was the inspiration for this Typewriter Rodeo poem.
Texas Standard: May 2, 2019
Reading, writing, and a rush to judgement? Some Texas lawmakers seem somewhat unsettled by a school finance bill racing to the floor of the Senate, we’ll have details. Also, the white puts in a multi billion dollar request for emergency border funds. This time, it’s not about a wall but humanitarian relief. Some in congress are unconvinced. Also the future of ugly food, why your next pet might be virtual, and actor and filmmaker Edward James Olmos is in the studio. All of that and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Higher Ed: A Mindset Shift Can Elicit Satisfaction And Even Joy From Intellectual Struggle
Learning is not always easy. Some subjects, concepts and teachers are just plain tough. Mastering that material can be frustrating and even discouraging. In this episode of the KUT podcast “Higher Ed,” KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talks with Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger about how a shift in mindset can help learners at any age harness lessons, power and even joy from those struggles.
Challenges and frustrations that we encounter in and out of the classroom can elicit a variety of emotions including anger and frustration. Not wanting to wallow in negativity, we attempt to move on from that sensation as quickly as we can.
“We look upon those things, and those emotions, as negative,” Ed notes. “People are saying that they want to avoid and we want to get past it.”
But what if those negative feelings were framed differently – perhaps as fuel instead of foil?
“Imagine a mindset where the idea of struggle generates a positive emotion. The feeling of frustration generates something that helps you move you forward, ” says Ed. “Imagine a world inside one’s mind where those feelings … enhance our learning and drive us to go further and inspire us to reach new levels rather than squelch our interest or enthusiasm.”
Ed encourages students struggling with a difficult subject or concept to harness the power of that conflict to assist their learning.
“What if we looked upon those emotions and tried to use them as empowering tools to continue the struggle and to move beyond the frustration” Ed wonders “by using the frustration as a catapult to push us and throw us into a new place?”
Ed believes applying mindfulness to this endeavor can actually propel learners beyond simply converting their frustration into fuel.
“If we intentionally acknowledge and then try to make those moments of frustration or struggle joyful, we can,” Ed asserts.
Joyful? Listen to the full episode for more on extracting joy from the struggles of learning. And prepare for a new puzzler – anagram-style – that might test that idea of power and joy born from struggle!
This episode was recorded on April 2, 2019.
KUT Weekend — April 19, 2019
In a special edition of KUT Weekend, we bring you a half-hour look at why many students of color are struggling in Austin’s public schools. It’s a documentary called Held Back, produced by KUT’s Claire McInerny.
Higher Ed: Enjoying And Embracing Conflict (And Other Leadership Lessons Learned)
A “Higher Ed” podcast listener recently wrote in with an intriguing question for Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger: as a university president, does Ed “see himself as more of a leader or manager? How does he differentiate the two concepts and does he place more emphasis on one area or another?” In this episode, KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talks with Ed about what it means to lead and manage on and off campus.
Ed has clear points of differentiation between how he sees the duties of a leader and those of a manager.
A leader: “It’s about thinking about the mission, thinking about what the direction of the instution or the project – whatever it is – is, and making sure that within a univese of distraction that we do our best not to be distracted by the noise and the bells and the ringing and the lights trying to take away that which we’re supposed to be doing. In this proposition [education], it’s about changing people’s lives and making them better versions of themselves.”
A manager: “Being a manager is the art … of making sure an organization is running smoothly, fairly, safely, efficiently and within all the budgetary constraints that come along with any organization.”
Given those definitions, Ed believes the role of a university president encompasses both leader and manager.
As per the listener’s question, which one does Ed tend toward?
Ed says he does the work he does “for the innovation and education that we can accomplish.”
So, more on the “leader” side, for sure, though Ed does concede a lot of “imagination and idea energy” is required to manage successfully.
Ed says he often turned to the late political scientist and leadership studies innovator James MacGregor Burns for insight about leading successfully. Burns’ primary pieces of advice:
1). Focus on mission and goals
2). Choose good colleagues and associates
3). Expect, enjoy and embrace conflict
Ed says he understands the first two but still struggles with confronting confict rather than avoiding it. Listen to the full episode for more on leading and managing in and out of the classroom. The solution to last week’s “guest puzzler” submission about digits will also be revealed.
This episode was recorded on April 2, 2019.
Texas Standard: April 9, 2019
Texas officials raising lots of eyebrows after taking quick action to sue the companies involved in recent chemical disasters. A change of heart? We’ll take a look. Also, who’s helping the growing numbers of people crossing the border right now? Highly strained resources for migrants in the valley as their numbers mount. And is the STAAR test aimed too high for Texas students? New complaints getting a hearing at the state capitol. Plus a closer look at the possibility of a former Texas governor taking over as head of Homeland Security. All of those stories and more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 8, 2019
A surprise resignation by the head of Homeland Security and the impact amid rising numbers of people crossing the southern border. Also a top immigration official temporarily takes over the post of a department founded to fight terrorism after 9/11, we’ll have more. And as the president postpones a promised border shutdown, anxiety persists at the border. And the Lone Star State may be famous for its Friday night lights, but maybe we should be celebrating prowess in another sport right now. Plus the story of the woman behind a political dynasty and more today on the Texas Standard:
Higher Ed: Ethics, Authenticity and Education – Takeaways From The College Admissions Scandal
Allegations of cheating and bribery in connection with college admissions have brought renewed scrutiny to just how that process works. In this episode of the KUT podcast “Higher Ed,” KUT’s Jennifer Stayton talks with Southwestern University President Dr. Ed Burger to get his response to the story and his take on maintaining integrity in the process.
Ed says the accusations made in connection with alleged cheating at some universities in the United States raise several concerns for him.
“First, there’s just an ethical question,” says Ed, “about boy, what are we teaching young people today about doing the right thing and living good lives?”
Ed says secondly, the situation sends a disturbing message about using shortcuts to get ahead.
“There’s an issue about the value of hard work,” Ed adds, “and setting goals and realizing those goals when that’s possible. And when it’s not possible, to learn from that and realize other goals.”
Ed also has a very visceral response to the allegations from the point of view of an educator.
“My emotional reaction is one of offense,” says Ed. “It’s because, how do these families who are accused of these things, of this behavior – how do they define what formal education means? By their alleged actions, they’re defining formal education as a piece of paper.”
Ed strongly believes what formal education delivers to students does not depend on the “name” of the school.
“Education should be an individualized experience,” Ed says. “Even when you look at some of these generic rankings, they have certain metrics but they’re not measuring for an individual human being. And that’s why there are so many schools out there and that’s why there are so many people at those variety of schools. It’s important to pick the best fit.”
Listen to the full episode for more on how students can discern that best fit. Also, the puzzler is back after an extended Spring Break. Who is our guest puzzle provider for the next few episodes? Listen on to find out!
This episode was recorded on April 2, 2019.
Texas Standard: April 4, 2019
Texas house lawmakers give the green light to a 9 billion dollar school funding bill plus a teacher pay raise. But what happens next will be critical. Also, after a slap on the wrist from the nation’s high court, a major change coming to Texas’ execution chamber. We’ll have the what and why. Also, the pay gap for women in tech. And what could be rare bipartisan action in congress, this time to deal with what some call a retirement savings crisis. Plus your weekend trip tip and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Texas Standard: April 3, 2019
Just two weeks after the petrochemical disaster in Deer Park, another chemical fire at a plant outside of Houston: this one deadly. We’ll have the latest. Plus: 9 dead, 20 injured, nearly 200 arrested and 4 years later, all cases dismissed yesterday without a single conviction. What happened after the Waco biker shootout? And what are the lessons? Plus, a warning about a quarter of Texas’ dams, we’ll take a look. And they call it the Rio Grande Valley, but where are the mountains? Our commentator W.F. Strong on an etymological mystery and a whole lot more today on the Texas Standard:
Held Back: Why Austin’s Schools Aren’t Working For Students Of Color
Graham Elementary in Northeast Austin looks like many schools in the district: Its students are mostly Latino or black, more than half are learning English, and almost all of them come from low-income families. These are some of the major factors that contribute to an achievement gap. Like students in schools with similar demographics, Graham students were not doing well on those state tests before 2007. That changed after Blaine Helwig became principal. Listen to what they tried at Graham Elementary to help their students in this special report by Claire McInerny.
Texas Standard: April 2, 2019
The price of a would-be border shutdown? We’ll do the numbers and talk with the mayor of one of Texas’ biggest border cities, Laredo. Plus, 2020: it’s not just about counting votes, but counting heads, too. We’ll look at what’s at stake for Texas in the upcoming census. Also, after previous fits and starts, prospects get real for for full day pre-k covered by the state, we’ll have the latest. And San Antonio goes all in on a plan to let outside organizations run their schools. Also, a fiddle playing son pays tribute to his father and his role in shaping Texas music. All of those stories and then some today on the Texas Standard:
Trailer: Held Back
In most urban school districts across the country, black and Latino students don’t perform as well on standardized tests as their white and Asian peers. KUT’s Claire McInerny explores the reasons for this gap and looks at one teacher’s possible solution.