Public education under attack episode artwork

EPISODE · May 29, 2026 · 55 MIN

Public education under attack

from The State of Working America Podcast · host Economic Policy Institute

Public education under attack: How EPI research and tools support investment in public schools EPI’s Chief Economist, Josh Bivens; Director of EPI’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy, Valerie Wilson; and Economist Hilary Wething, along with a special introduction by Peter Rivera from the Hewlett Foundation, discuss public education and how critical public goods are being attacked at both the state and federal levels. Fully funded and strong public schools—with fairly compensated educators—lead to a society with high achieving students and fewer teacher shortages that disrupt learning. Yet policy initiatives such as school vouchers threaten to divert resources from public education when what is needed is greater investment, not less. Originally held Thursday, May 14, 2026. Learn more: https://www.epi.org/event/public-education-under-attack-how-epi-research-and-tools-support-investment-in-public-schools/  __  The State of Working America Podcast is part of EPI’s effort to raise workers’ voices to ensure they are heard in the economic policy debate. Core topics include workers' rights, inequality, race, gender, labor markets, education, immigration, and social justice 
__  Economic Policy Institute 
https://www.epi.org

Public education under attack: How EPI research and tools support investment in public schools EPI’s Chief Economist, Josh Bivens; Director of EPI’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy, Valerie Wilson; and Economist Hilary Wething, along with a special introduction by Peter Rivera from the Hewlett Foundation, discuss public education and how critical public goods are being attacked at both the state and federal levels. Fully funded and strong public schools—with fairly compensated educators—lead to a society with high achieving students and fewer teacher shortages that disrupt learning. Yet policy initiatives such as school vouchers threaten to divert resources from public education when what is needed is greater investment, not less. Originally held Thursday, May 14, 2026. Learn more: https://www.epi.org/event/public-education-under-attack-how-epi-research-and-tools-support-investment-in-public-schools/ __  The State of Working America Podcast is part of EPI’s effort to raise workers’ voices to ensure they are heard in the economic policy debate. Core topics include workers' rights, inequality, race, gender, labor markets, education, immigration, and social justice 
__  Economic Policy Institute
https://www.epi.org

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Public education under attack

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This episode was published on May 29, 2026.

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Public education under attack: How EPI research and tools support investment in public schools EPI’s Chief Economist, Josh Bivens; Director of EPI’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy, Valerie Wilson; and Economist Hilary Wething, along...

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