In this episode of EdFix, education policy veterans Denise Forte and Andy Rotherham tackle one of the most pressing—and polarizing—questions in American education: should the U.S. Department of Education shrink or shift power to the states? With sharp insights and real-world experience, they unpack the motivations behind efforts to dismantle the department and what that could mean for equity, accountability, and student rights. From civil rights enforcement to federal funding, they explore what’s lost (and what might be gained) in a state-led system. It's a timely and clear-eyed conversation about equity, accountability, and the future of public education.

Denise Forte is President and CEO of EdTrust. Andy Rotherham is Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Bellwether.

[Transcript for Episode 42 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]

In this episode of EdFix, Judge David Tatel, who served nearly three decades on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit—the nation’s second highest court—shares his remarkable journey from civil rights lawyer to judicial trailblazer. Blind since his mid-30s, Judge Tatel has dedicated his career to expanding access to justice and improving opportunities for all. He reflects on pivotal moments in education law, including school desegregation, affirmative action, and Title IX, while offering his perspective on recent Supreme Court decisions that are reshaping the educational landscape. Judge Tatel also discusses his powerful new book, Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice, providing listeners with a deeply personal and inspiring look at the intersection of his life, law, and justice. [Transcript for Episode 41 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]

The Southern Education Foundation has played a crucial role in transforming education for African American and low-income students in the South. Dr. Raymond Pierce, former civil rights attorney and dynamic President and CEO of the Southern Education Foundation, dives into the organization’s rich history, rooted in the aftermath of the Civil War, and its relentless mission to revolutionize education. In this episode, Dr. Pierce addresses the ongoing challenges of achieving educational equity, highlighting the essential contribution of civics education in advancing racial justice and democracy. Despite the many obstacles, he remains optimistic about the potential for progress and the future of equitable education. [Transcript for Episode 40 is available on EdFixPodcast.com]