Today, Explained: Schooling Kids at PragerU – Detailed Summary

In the August 4, 2025 episode of Today, Explained, hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King delve into the controversial collaboration between PragerU, a conservative nonprofit organization, and the U.S. government, particularly focusing on their influence on educational content in schools. This episode provides an in-depth analysis of how PragerU’s initiatives are reshaping American education, the implications of this partnership, and the broader political context surrounding these developments.

1. The Decline of Public Broadcasting and the Rise of PragerU

** Sean Rameswaram** opens the discussion by referencing a historic moment from 1961 when President Kennedy’s FCC Chairman, Newton Minow, criticized commercial TV programming as a "vast wasteland" (00:04). This critique led to the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), responsible for iconic programs like FRESH air. However, due to significant budget cuts, CPB announced its shutdown for the following year (00:38).

Sean Rameswaram contemplates what will fill the void left by CPB, suggesting that PragerU might be poised to take its place, especially in shaping educational content:

“What’s taken its place? If you ask this White House, they might say something like PragerU.” (00:59)

2. PragerU’s Infiltration into Educational Content

The episode shifts focus to PragerU’s recent ventures, particularly their partnership with the White House and various state governments to introduce conservative-leaning educational materials into K-12 classrooms.

Terry Gross discusses a screenshot shared by Seth Kotler, a history professor, showing an AI-generated video of John Adams speaking distortions of his actual beliefs:

“I most certainly never said that.” (03:29)

These videos present historical figures expressing modern conservative sentiments, aiming to promote a specific interpretation of American history.

Seth Kotler criticizes this approach, arguing that it oversimplifies and sanitizes historical complexities:

“It just collapses any of that gap between the present and the past and just turns these people from the past into people who we can just unquestioningly and unproblematically just celebrate and love.” (10:41)

3. The Content and Intent of PragerU’s Educational Videos

PragerU’s videos often present a counter-narrative to widely accepted historical interpretations. For instance, one video featuring Christopher Columbus defends the act of slavery by suggesting it was a common practice globally and historically:

“Slavery is as old as time and has taken place in every corner of the world.” (20:32)

Laura Meckler from The Washington Post explains that PragerU aims to minimize the role and impact of slavery in American history, focusing instead on positive aspects like abolition and the achievements of the Founding Fathers.

Seth Kotler elaborates on how these videos omit critical aspects of historical figures’ lives, thereby presenting a one-dimensional and glorified version of American history. He emphasizes the importance of teaching history with its inherent complexities and multiple perspectives:

“What this does is it just collapses any of that gap between the present and the past and just turns these people from the past into people who we can just unquestioningly and unproblematically just celebrate and love.” (10:41)

4. PragerU’s Strategic Partnerships with States

PragerU has established partnerships with approximately eight states, including Louisiana, Florida, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Montana, Arizona, South Carolina, and Idaho, to provide their educational content to schools. These partnerships do not mandate the use of PragerU materials but make them available as approved resources.

Laura Meckler highlights the strategic importance of these state-level partnerships:

“The states are the heart of the PragerU plan.” (23:19)

In Oklahoma, Education Commissioner Ryan Walters has expressed enthusiasm for incorporating PragerU’s materials to counter what he perceives as leftist indoctrination. This move aligns with broader political efforts to influence educational narratives at the state level.

5. Broader Political Context and Implications

The episode situates PragerU’s activities within the larger framework of the current administration’s policies aimed at reducing liberal influence in public institutions. This includes defunding public broadcasting and promoting conservative viewpoints in education and media.

Laura Meckler discusses how these actions reflect an overarching attempt to combat "woke ideology" and reshape American cultural and educational landscapes:

“They see that in lots of different places and they’re going after it in all sorts of different ways...” (24:45)

She also points out that despite these efforts, many educators continue to strive for a balanced and multifaceted presentation of history in classrooms, challenging students to engage with multiple perspectives.

6. Conclusion: The Future of American Education

The episode concludes by pondering the long-term effects of PragerU’s influence on American education. While PragerU’s content is readily accessible and popular on social media, its integration into school curricula raises questions about the balance and objectivity of historical education.

Sean Rameswaram reflects on the juxtaposition of PragerU’s rise with the defunding of public broadcasters like PBS:

“It's funny to think of the preponderance of PragerU in maybe state curriculum or even online at the same time as the federal government just defunded PBS essentially.” (24:27)

Laura Meckler emphasizes the importance of maintaining a diverse and unbiased educational framework to ensure that students receive a comprehensive understanding of history:

“If students are being challenged to consider things from multiple points of view, then that’s not a bad thing necessarily.” (24:45)

Notable Quotes

• Seth Kotler:

  “It just collapses any of that gap between the present and the past and just turns these people from the past into people who we can just unquestioningly and unproblematically just celebrate and love.” (10:41)

• Laura Meckler:

  “The states are the heart of the PragerU plan.” (23:19)

  “If students are being challenged to consider things from multiple points of view, then that’s not a bad thing necessarily.” (24:45)

Implications for Educators and Parents

This episode serves as a cautionary tale for educators and parents about the potential for ideological bias in educational materials. It underscores the necessity for vigilance in curriculum development to ensure that historical education remains balanced and inclusive of multiple perspectives.

Sean Rameswaram encapsulates the critical concern:

“What are they trying to say about US History if not accurate things about what historical figures may have actually said?” (09:53)

Overall, the episode of Today, Explained provides a comprehensive examination of PragerU’s strategic foray into American education, highlighting the tensions between public broadcasting funding cuts and the rise of ideologically driven educational content. Through expert interviews and critical analysis, the hosts shed light on the significant implications for the future of historical education in the United States.