It Takes a Village: Who's Responsible for Our Kids' Education?

Who failed our kids, and what will it take to fix America’s education crisis?In 2024, 70% of U.S. fourth graders scored below proficient in reading. For Black fourth graders, that number rose to 84%. This is bigger than test scores. It is a crisis in Black education, literacy, parent involvement, public schools, student accountability, and community responsibility.In this episode of Rethinking Freedom, host Aya Fubara Eneli brings together three educators and community advocates for a direct conversation about one difficult question:Who is responsible for our children’s education?Is it the parents?The teachers?School leadership?The students themselves?The community?Or have we spent so much time assigning blame that we have forgotten what it actually means to be a village?MEET THE GUESTSChristopher OwusuU.S. Army combat veteran, educator, and mental health professional with more than 12 years of experience in public education.Toya “GiGi” AlgarinPhiladelphia education advocate, founder of Grandma’s 4 Literacy, and longtime KIPP Philadelphia board member.Dr. Janelle MuhammadPrincipal of Killeen High School in Killeen ISD and TASSP Region 12 Outstanding Principal of the Year.IN THIS EPISODE• Why so many Black students are struggling with reading proficiency• The literacy crisis facing American schools• Where the relationship between parents and educators is breaking down• What schools need from families• What parents should expect from schools• The role students play in their own academic success• How mental health affects learning and behavior• Education equity and the achievement gap• Why community involvement cannot stop at the schoolhouse door• What it will take to rebuild the village around our childrenThe education crisis will not be solved by blaming one group.Parents matter. Teachers matter. Students matter. School leaders matter. Communities matter.The real question is whether we are willing to work together before another generation pays the price.👇 Who do you believe carries the greatest responsibility for educating our children? Join the conversation in the comments.🔔 Subscribe to Rethinking Freedom for conversations on education, history, race, public policy, freedom, and community accountability.📲 Share this episode with a parent, teacher, principal, student, or community leader who needs to be part of this conversation.#RethinkingFreedom #BlackEducation #EducationCrisis #WhoFailedOurKids #BlackStudents #LiteracyCrisis #ReadingProficiency #EducationEquity #ParentInvolvement #PublicEducation #EducationReform #BlackFamilies #BackToSchool2026Support the show