Fixing Education: The Science of Learning with Dr. Kimberly Berens

Episode 409 of the Silver Disobedience® Perception Dynamics™ with Dian Griesel: How People Think, Lead & Create Success podcast, hosted by Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience, titled "Fixing Education: The Science of Learning with Dr. Kimberly Berens " was published on March 12, 2026 and runs 54 minutes.

March 12, 2026 ·54m · Silver Disobedience® Perception Dynamics™ with Dian Griesel: How People Think, Lead & Create Success

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Summary

Why School Isn’t Working: Dr. Kimberly Berens on the Science of Learning, Direct Instruction and MasteryDian Griesel, host of the Silver Disobedience® Perception Dynamics™ podcast discusses rising ADD/ADHD diagnoses, frustration with education, and whether the problem lies with kids, teachers, or the system during this interview with learning scientist Dr. Kimberly Berens, author of "Blind Spots." Berens cites NAEP data showing about 70% of students below proficiency and historically low rates for graduating seniors. She argues that the system has long been ideological rather than grounded in the science of learning. Dr Berens calls for a primary-school overhaul: less content; explicit/direct instruction; structured practice with feedback and measurement; and, mastery-based progression rather than exposure-and-move-on and grade fixation. The conversation addresses phonics and decoding versus balanced literacy; critiques of "new math" tricks and over-reliance on calculators, while discussing how better instruction can reduce disengagement and mislabeling of learning disabilities. Dr. Berens further proposes practical steps for schools, including adopting Direct Instruction and building intentional practice into the school day.Please SUBSCRIBE!I’m Dian Griesel and in November of 2017 I began blogging as @SilverDisobedience on my website and @SilverDisobedience on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ and @DianGriesel ⁠X⁠ Career-wise, I am a perception analyst, counselor, hypnotherapist, author of 16 books and a Wilhelmina model. For 30 years, via owning an investor & public relations firm, while being in private practice, I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally. A couple of years ago I added a podcast. Episodes are unscripted, with plenty of no-holds-barred revelations from fascinating, accomplished guests living diverse lives. Intimate stories about work, play, psychology, relationships, pop culture, trends, B.S. + more are unpacked through thought-provoking questions that spark honest revelations, pivotal moments, and unguarded insights — stunning even the boldest guests with their own “aha” truths. ✨🔗 YouTube Channel Spotify i❤️podcasts 🍎podcastsLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/diangriesel/⁠ Show Run: 00:00 Education Crisis Today01:23 Alarming Proficiency Data03:42 Ideology Over Science05:10 Fixing Primary School08:22 Practice and Mastery10:34 New Math Debate15:17 Science of Reading20:09 Grades Versus Learning22:40 Changing the System24:08 Reforming Teacher Training26:17 Rethinking Grade Levels27:36 Asia Drills and Tech28:13 Reinforcement Over Punishment29:54 Depoliticizing Education Science33:02 Defining Education Goals34:06 Evidence for Math Fluency37:13 Blind Spots and Teacher Support40:09 Direct Instruction Blueprint46:12 Training and Classroom Benefits48:21 Practice Built Into School50:11 Streamlining the School Day52:32 Labels, Accountability, Closing

Episode Description

Why School Isn’t Working: Dr. Kimberly Berens on the Science of Learning, Direct Instruction and Mastery

Dian Griesel, host of the Silver Disobedience® Perception Dynamics™ podcast discusses rising ADD/ADHD diagnoses, frustration with education, and whether the problem lies with kids, teachers, or the system during this interview with learning scientist Dr. Kimberly Berens, author of "Blind Spots." Berens cites NAEP data showing about 70% of students below proficiency and historically low rates for graduating seniors. She argues that the system has long been ideological rather than grounded in the science of learning. Dr Berens calls for a primary-school overhaul: less content; explicit/direct instruction; structured practice with feedback and measurement; and, mastery-based progression rather than exposure-and-move-on and grade fixation. The conversation addresses phonics and decoding versus balanced literacy; critiques of "new math" tricks and over-reliance on calculators, while discussing how better instruction can reduce disengagement and mislabeling of learning disabilities. Dr. Berens further proposes practical steps for schools, including adopting Direct Instruction and building intentional practice into the school day.

Please SUBSCRIBE!

I’m Dian Griesel and in November of 2017 I began blogging as @SilverDisobedience on my website and @SilverDisobedience on ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ and @DianGriesel ⁠X⁠ Career-wise, I am a perception analyst, counselor, hypnotherapist, author of 16 books and a Wilhelmina model. For 30 years, via owning an investor & public relations firm, while being in private practice, I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally. A couple of years ago I added a podcast. Episodes are unscripted, with plenty of no-holds-barred revelations from fascinating, accomplished guests living diverse lives. Intimate stories about work, play, psychology, relationships, pop culture, trends, B.S. + more are unpacked through thought-provoking questions that spark honest revelations, pivotal moments, and unguarded insights — stunning even the boldest guests with their own “aha” truths. ✨

🔗 YouTube Channel Spotify i❤️podcasts 🍎podcasts

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/diangriesel/⁠

Show Run:

00:00 Education Crisis Today

01:23 Alarming Proficiency Data

03:42 Ideology Over Science

05:10 Fixing Primary School

08:22 Practice and Mastery

10:34 New Math Debate

15:17 Science of Reading

20:09 Grades Versus Learning

22:40 Changing the System