Nightly Scroll with Hayley: Detailed Summary of Episode 79 – "Making Education Great Again with Erica Donalds"

Release Date: June 27, 2025

Introduction to the Episode

In Episode 79 of Nightly Scroll with Hayley, host Hayley Caronia engages in a profound discussion with Erica Donalds, Chair of the America First Policy Institute's Education Opportunity and founder of Optima Ed. The episode delves into the urgent need for educational reform in America, highlighting issues such as poor proficiency levels, the rise of ideological indoctrination in schools, and the pivotal role of school choice in transforming the educational landscape.

Personal Journey and Motivation

Erica Donalds begins by sharing her personal journey, which fueled her passion for educational reform. She recounts the challenges her middle son faced in the traditional public school system, which led her to seek alternative education options.

“I immediately pulled him out of public school, found a small classical Christian school to put him in. And when I picked him up after the first day, he was smiling ear to ear. He loved what he was learning.”
— Erica Donalds [02:20]

This positive turnaround inspired Erica to help other parents who were similarly dissatisfied with the one-size-fits-all approach of public schools.

Challenges on the School Board

Erica discusses her experience serving on the school board, where she encountered significant resistance from teachers' unions and fellow board members, hindering her efforts to implement meaningful changes.

“It took me three and a half years just to get something on the agenda because I was in the minority and the unions were blocking every single reform.”
— Erica Donalds [05:18]

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Erica shifted her focus to establishing charter and private schools, founding Treasure Coast Classical Academy and subsequently opening five more institutions, including Optima Academy Online, the world's first virtual school.

Teachers' Unions and Partisan Education

A substantial portion of the conversation centers on the role of teachers' unions in shaping education policy. Erica criticizes the unions for their strong affiliation with the Democratic Party and their focus on advancing left-wing ideologies over academic proficiency.

“98% of their donations go to Democrat candidates. Their conferences focus on climate, ideology, racial justice, DEI… not on how to get children to read proficiently.”
— Erica Donalds [07:10]

She highlights the influence of union leaders like Randy Weingarten, emphasizing how their political activism stifles educational reforms aimed at improving student performance.

School Choice in Florida and Beyond

Erica lauds Florida's progressive stance on school choice, noting that the state has recently become the 17th to pass Universal School Choice. This initiative empowers parents with substantial financial support to choose private or homeschooling options, fostering a competitive educational environment that prioritizes quality and alignment with family values.

“Every single family for every child gets about $9,000 to use towards a private school education or homeschooling expenses.”
— Erica Donalds [12:32]

She envisions the federal reconciliation bill expanding these benefits nationwide, enabling even more families to access diverse educational opportunities.

Parental Rights and Legislation

The discussion shifts to Florida's landmark "Parental Rights in Education" bill, colloquially known by critics as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. Erica defends the legislation as a common-sense approach to safeguarding children's innocence and parental control over educational content.

“Kudos to the Trump administration and Secretary McMahon for investigating and finding fault with California’s violation of Title 9.”
— Erica Donalds [24:07]

She underscores the importance of protecting girls' sports and preventing ideological agendas from disrupting fair competition and personal safety.

Impact of Migrant Influx on Schools

Erica addresses the strain caused by an influx of undocumented students in Florida's public schools, explaining how limited resources are stretched thin, adversely affecting the education of American students.

“We cannot do that at the expense of our American citizen children who deserve the opportunity of the American dream.”
— Erica Donalds [20:48]

She criticizes federal mandates that compel states to educate all children, regardless of legal status, arguing that it diverts essential resources away from students who are legal residents.

Technology and Classroom Policies

Hayley and Erica explore the role of technology in education, particularly the recent Florida ban on personal devices in classrooms. Erica supports the ban, citing the distractions caused by devices like smartphones.

“Personal devices in the classroom are a distraction, but schools need to invest in the latest technology to enhance learning.”
— Erica Donalds [34:44]

She advocates for a balanced approach, where beneficial technologies like virtual reality can be integrated into the curriculum to create immersive learning experiences without compromising academic focus.

Artificial Intelligence in Education

The conversation delves into the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize education. Erica envisions AI as a tool to personalize learning, drawing parallels to how calculators enhance mathematical capabilities.

“AI can help advance learning by allowing personalized education, much like how calculators enable more complex mathematics.”
— Erica Donalds [39:34]

She emphasizes the necessity of teaching students to use AI responsibly, ensuring it serves as an educational aid rather than a shortcut for completing assignments.

Future Plans and Additional Causes

Beyond education, Erica expresses her commitment to supporting children in challenging circumstances, such as those in juvenile justice systems and foster care. She aims to ensure these children receive the support and education they need to achieve success.

“Every child deserves the American dream. Every one of them deserves the love and support of their state and community.”
— Erica Donalds [44:01]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Hayley reflecting on the insightful discussion, emphasizing the critical role of education in shaping America's future. She expresses optimism regarding the potential impact of Erica Donalds' initiatives and the ongoing efforts to prioritize parents' rights and children's education.

Key Takeaways

• Personal Experiences Drive Advocacy: Erica's firsthand challenges with the public school system led her to champion school choice and establish alternative educational institutions.

• Teachers' Unions as Political Entities: The strong alignment of teachers' unions with the Democratic Party poses significant barriers to educational reforms aimed at improving academic standards.

• Florida as a Model for School Choice: With Universal School Choice, Florida is leading the way in empowering parents with financial resources to choose the best educational paths for their children.

• Legislative Efforts to Protect Parental Rights: Laws like Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" aim to prevent ideological agendas from overriding parental control and children's well-being in schools.

• Resource Allocation Amid Migrant Influx: The increasing number of undocumented students in public schools strains resources, highlighting the need to prioritize American students' educational needs.

• Balanced Integration of Technology in Education: While banning personal devices in classrooms addresses distractions, integrating beneficial technologies like VR and AI can enhance personalized learning experiences.

• Expanding Educational Opportunities Nationwide: Federal initiatives and reconciliation bills have the potential to extend school choice benefits across all states, fostering a more competitive and parent-centered education system.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “I immediately pulled him out of public school, found a small classical Christian school to put him in. And when I picked him up after the first day, he was smiling ear to ear. He loved what he was learning.”
  — Erica Donalds [02:20]

• “It took me three and a half years just to get something on the agenda because I was in the minority and the unions were blocking every single reform.”
  — Erica Donalds [05:18]

• “98% of their donations go to Democrat candidates. Their conferences focus on climate, ideology, racial justice, DEI… not on how to get children to read proficiently.”
  — Erica Donalds [07:10]

• “Every single family for every child gets about $9,000 to use towards a private school education or homeschooling expenses.”
  — Erica Donalds [12:32]

• “Kudos to the Trump administration and Secretary McMahon for investigating and finding fault with California’s violation of Title 9.”
  — Erica Donalds [24:07]

• “We cannot do that at the expense of our American citizen children who deserve the opportunity of the American dream.”
  — Erica Donalds [20:48]

• “Personal devices in the classroom are a distraction, but schools need to invest in the latest technology to enhance learning.”
  — Erica Donalds [34:44]

• “AI can help advance learning by allowing personalized education, much like how calculators enable more complex mathematics.”
  — Erica Donalds [39:34]

• “Every child deserves the American dream. Every one of them deserves the love and support of their state and community.”
  — Erica Donalds [44:01]

This episode of Nightly Scroll provides a comprehensive exploration of the current state of American education, the challenges posed by political and ideological influences, and the promising avenues through which school choice and parental involvement can revitalize the system. Erica Donalds' insights underscore the necessity of prioritizing students' academic needs and family values to achieve meaningful educational reform.