Digital Social Hour: Episode Summary

Title: The Truth About School Choice & How It’s Reshaping Education in America | Corey DeAngelis DSH #1211

Release Date: March 1, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Corey DeAngelis

Introduction to School Choice

In this episode of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in a comprehensive dialogue with Corey DeAngelis, focusing on the controversial topic of school choice and its transformative impact on the American education system. Corey, a passionate advocate for educational freedom, delves into the systemic issues plaguing government-run schools and presents school choice as a viable solution for empowering parents and improving educational outcomes.

Notable Quote:
Corey emphasizes the gravity of the situation by stating, "For 13 years of their lives, for seven hours a day with 50 million kids or so each year in the government-run school system, they can churn out Democrat voters using that school system without even having their own kids." ([00:28])

Critique of the Current Education System

Corey begins by critiquing the government-run school system, highlighting its inefficiencies and the unintended consequences of its structure. He argues that excessive funding has led to administrative bloat rather than direct investment in student education. Corey points out that despite significant financial expenditure—mentioning New Jersey's $30,000 to $40,000 per student—academic outcomes remain subpar.

Key Points:

• Excessive Spending:
  "If you look nationwide, it's $20,000 per kid in the US in the government-run school system, we spend more than any other country on the planet." ([03:08])

• Administrative Bloat:
  Corey criticizes the allocation of funds, stating, "They put it towards administrative bloat. Doesn't go to the kids."

• Learning Loss During COVID-19:
  He contrasts with Catholic schools that maintained operations during the pandemic, resulting in better academic retention compared to public schools that faced prolonged closures.

Notable Quote:
"The definition of insanity. Doing the same thing over and over and over again, expecting different results." ([04:49])

Rise of School Choice and Its Benefits

Corey discusses the burgeoning movement towards school choice, which allows parents to direct funding towards private schools, charter schools, homeschool programs, or other educational institutions that align with their values and meet their children's needs.

Key Points:

• State-Level Adoption:
  Thirteen states, including Tennessee, have embraced school choice, enabling funds to follow the child rather than being tied to a specific public school.

• Cost Efficiency:
  "Catholic schools, the private schools, they're doing a better job at a fraction of the cost." ([03:08])

• Improved Competition:
  Allowing funds to move freely fosters competition, incentivizing public schools to enhance their quality to retain students.

• Homeschooling Surge:
  The pandemic catalyzed a significant increase in homeschooling, a trend Corey advocates will continue to grow.

Notable Quote:
"School choice for me, but not for thee. They send their kids to private schools but oppose school choice for others." ([13:11])

Political Dynamics and Union Influence

A substantial portion of the discussion revolves around the role of teachers' unions in shaping education policy. Corey argues that unions have historically hindered efforts to reform the education system by prioritizing their interests over those of students and parents.

Key Points:

• Union Opposition:
  Teachers' unions have actively opposed school choice initiatives, fearing loss of control and influence.

• Financial Influence:
  "99.9% of Randy Weingarten's union's campaign contributions went to Democrats in the 2024 election cycle." ([17:30])

• Impact on Legislation:
  Union resistance has delayed or blocked school choice measures in various states, despite growing public support.

Notable Quote:
"Randy Weingarten's union lobbied the CDC to make it more difficult to reopen schools." ([07:33])

Educational Outcomes and International Comparisons

Corey presents alarming statistics to underscore the failures of the current education system in the U.S., especially in public schools, and contrasts them with outcomes in states that have adopted school choice policies.

Key Points:

• Academic Performance:
  "About a third of students are proficient in reading and about a quarter of students are proficient in math." ([09:56])

• International Standing:
  The U.S. has declined in international assessments like TIMSS, falling more than most countries except a few like Iran and Kazakhstan.

• Success of School Choice States:
  Florida, having expanded school choice decades ago, is now ranked number one by U.S. News & World Report on education, despite spending 27% less per student than the national average.

Notable Quote:
"Florida is ranked number one by U.S. news & World Report on education... It's not a money issue, it's an incentive issue." ([20:15])

Advocacy for Legislative Change

Corey outlines the legislative efforts needed to dismantle the barriers imposed by the Department of Education and teachers' unions, advocating for returning control of education to the states.

Key Points:

• Proposed Legislation:
  The Returning Education to the States Act aims to block grant current federal education funding back to states, effectively abolishing the federal Department of Education.

• Local Control:
  Allowing states to manage their own education policies ensures that funding and programs align more closely with local needs and values.

• Federal Overreach:
  Corey argues that education should not be a federal mandate, citing the 10th Amendment and the lack of educational directives in the Constitution.

Notable Quote:
"The Department of Education... should be revoked. It's a violation of the 10th Amendment. I'd say it's unconstitutional." ([22:37])

Personal Experiences and Broader Implications

Towards the end of the episode, Corey shares personal anecdotes highlighting the negative aspects of his own public school experience, reinforcing his stance on the necessity of school choice.

Key Points:

• Negative School Culture:
  Corey recounts experiences with violence and gangs in public schools, illustrating the potential dangers of unsupervised, government-run institutions.

• Success Stories:
  He credits specialized education, such as magnet schools, for positively impacting his life trajectory and advocates for expanding such opportunities.

• Future of Education:
  Corey envisions a future where education is tailored to individual needs through various options like micro schools, homeschooling, and private institutions, free from political and bureaucratic constraints.

Notable Quote:
"Parents know their kids' needs more than you, professor, and they shouldn't need your permission to choose the school that works best for their kid." ([43:19])

Conclusion and Call to Action

Corey concludes the discussion by urging listeners to support school choice initiatives and remain vigilant against the entrenched interests of teachers' unions and the federal education bureaucracy. He promotes his book, The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools, as a resource for those seeking to understand and advocate for educational freedom.

Notable Quote:
"You can ruin Randy Weingarten's day by reading this book." ([46:15])

Final Thoughts

This episode of Digital Social Hour offers a critical examination of the American education system, advocating for school choice as a means to enhance educational quality, empower parents, and reduce governmental and union interference. Corey's insights provide a provocative perspective on how restructuring educational funding and policy can lead to better outcomes for students across the nation.

Additional Resources:

• Corey DeAngelis's Book: The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools – Available on Amazon.
• Follow Corey DeAngelis: X (Twitter Handle)