Crisis in America's K-12 Education System

On our debut episode, we will look at the fight to save America's educational system with guests Todney Harris, author of Battle Grounds - America's War in Education and Finance: A View from the Front Lines. We will also speak with Dr. Philip S. Cicero, author of The Seven Deadly Sins of the K-12 Education System - Costly and Ineffective Programs and Strategies.

Episode Segments:

Educviii: Todney Harris Mr. Harris' book Battlegrounds is a call for urgent action to parents, the government, community activists, and all advocators of education that a plan must be enacted in order for our children to realize the importance of education and stay in school.
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Educviii: Dr. Phillip Cicero Dr. Cicero's book is for anyone who believes that reducing class size, doing more homework, being taught by experienced teachers, using technology, receiving remediation, repeating a grade and increasing school time will improve student achievement. The reason this book is for you is because these long practiced academic interventions just don’t work.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Todney Harris The name Todney Harris will resonate in history books for years to come. It will capture the life an educator who made a positive difference in the lives of young students in Hartford, Connecticut and many more around the world. Battle Grounds: America’s War in Education and Finance- A View from the Frontlines, written by Harris is a movement that mirrors marches led by strong, influential leaders such as Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune, Benjamin Banneker and Ida B. Wells. As a leader of the march, he is ready and willing to fight for educational reform, a necessity amongst all students. The pursuit of education has always been paramount in Harris’s life. While attending Central Connecticut State University, Harris majored in United States History and Business Management with dreams of becoming a corporate researcher in New York City. After graduating, Harris interviewed with companies throughout Manhattan, New York. Although, he was offered his dream job in his dream city, Harris declined the offer due to the city’s high cost of living. After declining the job offer, he continued working at the Hartford Courant as a customer service representative and a dispatch driver. During this time he found himself weary about his future endeavors. Due to Harris’s uncertainty about his career goals, he addressed his concerns to his alma mater’s History Department Chair and confidant, Dr. Felton Best. The conversation changed Harris’s life forever, which developed an interest in teaching. Upon graduating from Quinnipiac University with Master of Arts degree in teaching, his successful career began. More About Mr. Harris

Phillip Cicero After a 35 year career of teaching and administration, Dr. Cicero retired in 2008 as Superintendent of Schools. He served as Superintendent of Schools for a total of 11 years. Whether teaching or in administration, his career was marked by innovation and creativity bringing new programs to students and ideas to faculty and staff. He continues to work today as an adjunct professor in the School of Education at Adelphi University. School Leaders for Change