Podcast Summary: Real Coffee with Scott Adams

Episode: 3103 – The Scott Adams School 02/26/26
Date: February 26, 2026
Main Theme:
A deep dive into the state of public education, teachers’ unions, and the growing school choice movement, with guest education reform advocate Corey DeAngelis. The discussion critically examines how tax dollars are allocated in education, the ideological agendas at play within schools, the unions’ political influence, and actionable steps listeners can take to empower parents and improve educational outcomes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Focus of the Episode

• Host Erica opens by clarifying this is a Scott Adams School session, focusing on being "useful" per Scott Adams’ philosophy.
• Special Guest: Corey DeAngelis, a prominent school choice advocate and Heritage Foundation fellow.
• Main topics: School choice, the role and power of teachers’ unions (notably the American Federation of Teachers’ Randi Weingarten), tax funding for schools, and effective activism for change.
• Notable Quote:

  "Scott has taught us to be useful, so we're going to listen to you [Corey]. And then if you have a homework assignment for us...we are an army for you." - Erica (03:23)

2. The Case for Universal School Choice

• Corey’s Background (04:35–05:00): Advocates for "education freedom,” highlighting major progress since COVID, attributing much of the movement’s traction to the teachers’ unions "overplaying their hand."
• Public School Problems:
  • Parents lack recourse unless they move or pay double (taxes + private tuition) (05:44).
  • "Democratic accountability" (school boards) was exposed as a farce during COVID; parents were ignored or silenced (06:05).
  • Overpoliticized: Unions actively suppress dissent and label protesting parents as extremists (07:19).
• School Choice as an Equalizer:
  • Model: Tax dollars "follow the child," enabling families—regardless of background—to pick the best-fit school (05:15, 08:00).
  • As of 2026, 18 states have universal school choice, generating healthy competition (09:00).
  • The union monopoly is compared to being assigned to a government grocery store—a clearly undesirable arrangement (09:15).
• Quote:

  "If the chef doesn't eat the food at the restaurant, don't go to that restaurant. They know better than anybody else." – Corey (44:58)

3. Teachers’ Union Influence and Political Activities

• Union Overreach:
  • Randi Weingarten’s involvement with the World Economic Forum & AI (12:30), promoting a "globalist curriculum."
  • NEA’s convention deemed abolishing the Department of Education "racist" and overwhelmingly makes political, non-educational resolutions (12:45).
  • Political activism over academics—teachers' unions fund Democratic candidates almost exclusively (14:59), effectively acting as a money laundering operation for political interests (15:21).
• Union Tactics:
  • Dues coercion and misinformation about the necessity for legal protection (16:35).
  • Many teachers don’t realize that since the Janus decision (2018), union dues aren’t compulsory (17:23).
  • Actionable Tip: Teachers can leave their union and obtain free legal protection from groups like Teacher Freedom Alliance (16:56).
• Quote:

  "You would be crazy to continue giving your hard earned paycheck to people like Randi Weingarten and Becky Pringle." – Corey (18:10)

4. The Radicalization of School Culture & Curriculum

• Testing vs. Indoctrination: Erica and Marcela (former teacher) discuss the shift from academics to ideology (23:40, 32:16).
  • The system now often prioritizes political and social activism (critical race theory, gender ideology, DEI), sometimes at the expense of core educational outcomes.
  • Administrators and union leaders select "Teachers of the Year" for their activism, not educational achievement (12:50).
• Curriculum Control:
  • Teachers are "strapped" by rigid curriculum mandates (Common Core, etc.) and discouraged from deviating or focusing on real education (32:16).
• Discipline & Socialization Issues:
  • Restoration justice and administrative bloat have led to declining order and student safety in schools (19:24, 37:24).
  • Anecdote: Corey describes chaos and even gang initiation violence at his own public middle school (20:10).
• Homeschooling and Micro schools:
  • Pandemic shifted perceptions—many parents now form "pods" or micro schools, enabling flexibility and often better outcomes for both teachers and students (41:10).
• Quote:

  "The schools are just little mini indoctrination camps...most of these kids are not learning Jack about Jack." – Erica (44:38)

5. Administrative Bloat & Resource Allocation

• Massive rise in spending per student (now ~$20,000/year), far outpacing increases in teacher salaries (by 3%) since 1970; spending has instead gone to administrative growth (95% increase in administrators since 2000, 37:24).
• Schools resistant to closing or consolidation due to political/union interests, not educational logic (54:26–55:14).
• Quote:

  "It's become more of a jobs program for administrators than an education initiative for kids." – Corey (37:24)

6. False Arguments Against School Choice

• Debunking claims:
  • School choice = racism: Actually, current system traps minorities and low-income families in failing schools (49:10).
  • Government funding means government control: School choice programs are voluntary and actually increase homeschoolers’ freedom (51:08).
• Real-life results: School choice most benefits disadvantaged families (50:00+), and resistance typically stems from unions’ protection of their power and revenue streams.
  • Quote:

    "You can get the shackles without the shekels. ... Even in states without school choice, the government is regulating homeschooling." – Corey (51:17)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans." – Quoting Voddie Baucham (44:58)
• "If you want to sweep the knee, take the funding away from these people." – Erica, on fighting union power (58:30)
• "The money should follow the person and so we should fund the student, not the system." – Corey (23:10)

Action Items & Homework (58:48)

Corey’s Recommendations to Listeners:

1. Opt out of the union:
   • Teachers: go to optouttoday.com to keep more of your paycheck, get equal or better legal protection, and stop funding union activism.
2. Contact your governor and state lawmakers:
   • Urge them to support and expand school choice programs.
   • There’s a federal tax credit program for school choice; tell your governor to opt in if available.

Additional Action:

• Share the episode with your lawmakers and networks to broaden understanding and catalyze change (60:17).

Notable Timestamps

• 04:35–13:30 – Corey details the school choice movement, union overreach, and influence on curriculum and policy.
• 16:30–19:18 – Discussion on union dues, legal protections, and the Janus decision.
• 20:00–23:40 – Corey's personal experience with public and magnet schooling, school culture, and the case for funding following the student.
• 32:44–37:24 – Administrative bloat, misuse of educational dollars, and comparisons of spending/income.
• 41:10–44:41 – Rise of homeschooling/micro schools as practical alternatives.
• 47:40–53:40 – School choice as a civil rights issue, racial and economic arguments, policy contrasts, and legislative efforts.
• 58:48–60:30 – Closing action steps and systemic solutions.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a pointed critique of the modern public education system as viewed through a persuasion and reform lens, strongly advocating for universal school choice. Corey DeAngelis’s expertise and personal experience underscore the need for empowerment of families and teachers, the importance of competition, and the dangers of entrenched union and political interests stifling innovation, academic rigor, and true equality of opportunity.

For more: Follow Corey DeAngelis, read 'The Parent Revolution,' and visit optouttoday.com.