Firing Line Season 18 Episode 28 What are We Going to Do About the Mess in the Schools?

In this episode of Firing Line, host William F. Buckley Jr. invites a panel of education experts to discuss the state of American schools. The guests include former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, conservative commentator and former teacher Kay S. Hymowitz, education historian Diane Ravitch, and professor and writer Jonathan Kozol.

The panel begins by acknowledging the widespread issues facing American schools, such as low test scores, high dropout rates, insufficient funding, and unequal resources based on socioeconomic status. They discuss the role of teachers unions in contributing to these problems and advocate for charter schools and vouchers as potential solutions.

The conversation then turns to the issue of race in education, with the panelists debating the effectiveness of affirmative action policies and the importance of cultural competency training for teachers. They also discuss the controversial policy of busing to promote integration and the negative impact it had on many communities.

Throughout the episode, the panelists offer a variety of perspectives and solutions for improving the state of American education. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or concerned citizen, this episode is sure to spark important and insightful conversations about the future of our schools.