Vol 26 - SCOTUS Punts

On this episode of WonkyFolk, Andy Rotherham and Jed Wallace dig into the surprising 4-4 split from the U.S. Supreme Court on the controversial St. Isidore religious charter school case—and what it means for the future of public education, church-state boundaries, and the charter movement.They also explore big-picture trends reshaping education, from the erosion of academic rigor in K-12 to the political dynamics behind school funding, college value, and the explosion of school choice across the country.Plus, a deep dive into Steven Wilson’s new book on merit, equity, and excellence in education—and why it may signal a turning point for liberal education reformers.👉 Topics include:Why the SCOTUS tie wasn’t just procedural—it was a signalThe evolving politics of school choice and teacher pay in red statesAre we underestimating the college-for-all backlash?Virtual schooling and its quiet but growing policy momentumWhy merit still matters—and what Democrats risk by abandoning it📝 Show notes include:Steven Wilson’s bookChad Aldeman on jobsEduwonk (Andy's blog) post on books4-4 Drummond decision Mark Walsh and Andy on SCOTUS cases The National Alliance’s standout amicus briefJed and Starlee's conversation Texas virtual bill Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review—every little bit helps us keep it wonky.