The A250 Interviews

Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison. How do we teach students about these people, taking into account 250 years of hindsight? Were they heroes? Villains? Or ordinary people in extraordinary times?Today we talk with Jane Kamensky, CEO and President of Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. Previously, Jane was a professor at Harvard University, and served as head of the Schlesinger Library. Jane is also the author of numerous books on the founding period. Jane speaks with us about our evolving approach to the framers, as well as her work developing the The Roadmap to Educating for American Democracy.

In the world of civics education, one of the most hotly debated topics is what we teach and how we teach it. So how, in a hyperpolarized era, can education standards even be written?Today we talk with Andy Rotherham, founder of Bellwether and author of Eduwonk. Andy served on the Virginia Board of Education during the recent redesign of the Standards of Learning for History & Social Science.

The ballot box is where we give the Constitution meaning. So how did elections become the frontlines of the culture wars? Today to talk with us about the evolution of election security and access is Ben Ginsberg, a nationally known political law advocate representing participants in the political process, including during the much-disputed Florida recount in 2000.

Today we speak with Larry Kramer, constitutional scholar and President & Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics. We explore judicial review, popular sovereignty, and the power of the People in our constitutional order.