Social 333 Podcast with Chris D. Bentley

Episode 75: School Choice and Educational Reform with Corey DeAngelis
Original Air Date: November 28, 2025

Overview of the Episode

This episode of the Social 333 Podcast features Corey DeAngelis, a prominent advocate for school choice and educational reform. Hosted by Chris D. Bentley, the conversation explores the flaws of the U.S. public education system, the concept and impact of school choice, the role of teachers’ unions, and the implications of homeschooling. DeAngelis provides data-driven arguments, personal anecdotes, and candid commentary on why he believes education funding should follow the student rather than systems or buildings.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to School Choice

[01:11] Corey DeAngelis:

• Defines himself as the “school choice evangelist.”
• Explains the foundational principle: "The money should follow the child."
  • U.S. spends ~$20,000 per child/per year in public education.
  • School choice means families can direct these funds to a school that fits their values—public, private, charter, or homeschool.

2. Personal Motivation & Economics of Education

[01:39] Corey DeAngelis:

• Personal background: Attended public schools.
• Problem with location-based school assignment and lack of parental recourse.
• Notes that increased spending (up 108% since 1980) hasn’t led to better outcomes—“they've actually gotten worse.”
• Argues monopolistic systems don’t use money efficiently.
• Cites other taxpayer-funded programs (food stamps, Medicaid) where funding follows users, not institutions.

"We should fund the student, not the system." — Corey DeAngelis [05:08]

3. School Choice Policy Mechanisms

[06:30] Chris Bentley & [07:06] Corey DeAngelis:

• Discussion of Texas school financing:
  • New scholarship program will allow $10,000 per student in state funding to follow the child.
  • Local districts retain property tax funding, positioning it as a “win-win.”
  • Example: If a student leaves, the district keeps a share of funding but doesn’t bear the full cost.

4. Teachers’ Unions and Education Funding

[08:34] Chris Bentley & [08:45] Corey DeAngelis:

• Critiques union leadership for prioritizing politics over education or teacher welfare.
  • Union presidents make over $500,000 annually.
  • Claims only 9% of NEA’s revenue goes toward teacher representation; most contributes to Democratic campaigns.
• Teacher salaries have stagnated despite large increases in per-student spending.
• Administrative bloat cited as a key issue.
• Advocates for teachers to opt out of unions and join alternatives (e.g., Teacher Freedom Alliance).

"It's more of a money laundering operation than anything else. It’s a one-sided political arm of the Democrat party." — Corey DeAngelis [10:23]

5. Homeschooling: Benefits and Criticisms

[12:43] Chris Bentley & [14:39] Corey DeAngelis:

• Bentley shares mixed perceptions: concerns about discipline, lack of socialization, and value alignment.
• DeAngelis responds:
  • Critiques the idea that public schools provide positive socialization—shares anecdote about “walking with a limp” to fit in.
  • Sees homeschooling as an extension of parenting and a way to minimize negative peer influence.
  • Notes options for co-ops and hybrid models to support social development.
  • Highlights academic benefits: individualized instruction, avoidance of “lowest common denominator” teaching.
  • Homeschooling and school choice on the rise post-COVID, with homeschooling having tripled since 2019 (Census Bureau data).

"A lot of people say, look, they need to fit in with society, but have you seen society today? I don't want my daughter to fit in with society if that's what society looks like." — Corey DeAngelis [14:39]

"Not all forms of socialization are positive." — Corey DeAngelis [15:42]

6. School Environment, Integration, and Long-Term Impact

[21:37] Chris Bentley & [23:34] Corey DeAngelis:

• Bentley recounts shift from affluent schools to “integrated” high schools with more crime and bullying, linking this to negative peer impacts and lost opportunities.
• DeAngelis explains Florida’s Hope Scholarship for bullied students.
• Both reflect on how social networks and private schooling can impact future career opportunities.
• DeAngelis critiques the “factory model” origins of U.S. public schools, claiming they were designed for obedience, not excellence.

"You shouldn't be trapped with your abuser for 13 years of your life for seven hours a day." — Corey DeAngelis [23:34]

7. Systemic Reform & Ideological Concerns

[25:42] Corey DeAngelis:

• Connects educational design with young adults’ political leanings and openness to government solutions.
• Explains U.S. schooling was modeled after Prussia for workforce obedience:
  • “Our school system…was created to have obedient soldiers and obedient factory workers. And I think you see the same structure in America today.”
• Emphasizes homeschooling allows for lifelong, interest-driven learning and fosters diverse socialization via family and community.

8. Personal Commitment and Outlook

[29:41] Corey DeAngelis:

• Shares his personal plan to homeschool his daughter and their growing family.
• Promotes his book, The Parent Revolution, and ways to connect with his ongoing advocacy.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• School Choice Philosophy:
  “We should fund the student, not the system.” — Corey DeAngelis [05:08]

• Public School Monopoly Critique:
  “If your customers are stuck there and they have no recourse, what do they do? ...this whole fairytale model of democratic accountability...it actually doesn't work out that way.” — Corey DeAngelis [02:48]

• Teachers’ Union Politics:
  “Only 9% of [the NEA’s] teachers union dues...go towards representing teachers.” — Corey DeAngelis [10:10]

  “It's more of a money laundering operation than anything else. It's a one-sided political arm of the Democrat party.” — Corey DeAngelis [10:23]

• On Homeschooling and Socialization:
  "A lot of people say, look, they need to fit in with society, but have you seen society today? I don't want my daughter to fit in with society if that's what society looks like." — Corey DeAngelis [14:39]

  “Not all forms of socialization are positive.” — Corey DeAngelis [15:42]

• Education System’s Purpose:
  “Our school system...was created to have obedient soldiers and obedient factory workers. And I think you see the same structure in America today, where it's really structured around obedience, not excellence.” — Corey DeAngelis [27:00]

Important Timestamps

• [01:11] Corey DeAngelis introduces school choice concept
• [02:08]–[05:30] Economic critique of public schools and the case for choice
• [07:06] Explanation of Texas funding model for school choice
• [08:45]–[12:00] Deep dive on teachers unions, funding, and administrative bloat
• [14:39]–[15:42] Homeschooling, socialization, and public school criticism
• [21:37]–[25:37] Personal stories on school environment, socioeconomic impact, and peer influence
• [25:42]–[27:50] Factory-model origins of public education and ideological consequences
• [29:41] How to find more from Corey and his book, The Parent Revolution

Conclusion

Corey DeAngelis argues persuasively for school choice, tying the vision to both parental control and systemic accountability. The episode interweaves personal anecdotes, data, and ideological critique of U.S. educational institutions, challenging listeners to rethink the purpose—and beneficiaries—of public funding in education. Both Bentley and DeAngelis advocate for alternatives including homeschooling and better teacher representation, ultimately promoting a model where education fits the needs and values of families, not bureaucracies.