Topic: School Choice

The conversation examines the Trump administration's alignment with Project 2025 regarding education policy and school choice. Proponents like Corey DeAngelis advocate for funding students rather than institutions through Education Savings Accounts and vouchers. These funding mechanisms are increasingly tied to digital wallets and blockchain ledgers, which critics argue will eventually facilitate a programmable UBI-style education fund overseen by public-private partnerships.

State-level differences in education regulation significantly impact the growth of alternative schooling models. Florida is highlighted for its robust school choice programs and tax credit scholarships that make micro schools accessible to lower-income families. Conversely, Kansas serves as an example of a state where low general business regulation allows education entrepreneurs to thrive despite a lack of formal school choice policies.

John Klyzak describes how a budget stalemate under Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner served as a scheme to bankrupt public education in favor of privatization. This observation led Klyzak to connect with researcher Charlotte Iserbyt, who provided documentation on "cradle to career" workforce training initiatives. The two formed a research partnership to expose the corporatization of schooling through vouchers and tax credits.