Challenging credentialism: An alternative vision of education (Encore)

Challenging credentialism: An alternative vision of education (Encore)

Author: Ethical Schools June 20, 2025 Duration: 36:43
We speak with Arlene Goldbard, writer, visual artist, speaker, social activist and consultant,  whose most recent book is “In the Camp of Angels of Freedom: What does it mean to be educated?” An autodidact from a working-class background, Arlene challenges “the certainty that academic qualifications are the best measure of ability.” She interweaves the stories and portraits of her “angels,” her personal story, and a critique of standard narratives of education. We talk with her in particular about two of her “angels,” Paulo Freire and Paul Goodman. Overview00:00-00:38 Intros 00:38-02:41 What “In the Camp of Angels of Freedom: What It Means to be Educated” is about 02:41: 03:55 Definition of auto-didact 03:55-05:39 Project-based education/Action civics/"What Would YOU Do?” 05:39-07:12 Removing bachelor’s degree requirement from State jobs 07:12-09:03 Advice to high school students about options 09:03-10:34 When is a liberal arts education valuable beyond credentials? 10:34-20:42 Alternative ways to expand horizons beyond/in addition to college 20:42-25:28 K-12 education 25:28-27:31 Paulo Freire 27:31-31:18 Paul Goodman 31:18-32:50 Cultural citizenship 32:50- OutroTranscriptClick here to see the full transcription of this episode. References Arlene Goldbard's website Book "In the Camp of Angels of Freedom: What Does It Mean to Be Educated?" by Arlene Goldbard  Soundtrack by Poddington Bear Visual artwork by Arlene Goldbard "We Burn" (2019)

Conversations about education often focus on test scores and curriculum, but there’s a deeper layer that truly shapes a student’s experience. Ethical Schools digs into that layer, exploring what it means to build a learning community grounded in integrity and care. Each week, hosts Amy and Jon sit down with educators and innovators who are actively reimagining schools. You’ll hear specific, grounded discussions about the practical work of creating environments where every student feels safe and respected. The dialogue frequently addresses how to support young people dealing with trauma, moving beyond theory to share actionable strategies that teachers are using right now. More than just problem-solving, this podcast highlights how to empower students themselves to become advocates and changemakers in their own communities. It’s a series that connects philosophy with daily practice, looking at the social and cultural structures within schools through a lens of ethics. For anyone invested in the future of education-whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply a concerned community member-this podcast offers a thoughtful and necessary perspective on the foundational values that make education meaningful.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Ethical Schools
Podcast Episodes
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We speak with Dr. Tovah P. Klein, professor of psychology at Barnard College and the director of the Center for Toddler Development, about her book, “Raising Resilience: How to Help Our Children Thrive in Times of Uncert…
Marygrove School: Place- and project-based teaching and learning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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We speak with Dr. Elizabeth Birr Moje, dean and professor at the Marsal Family School of Education, University of Michigan. Dr. Moje discusses Detroit’s School at Marygrove, a university-school partnership serving childr…
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Duration: 37:21
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Duration: 24:01
The authors of a recent Chalkbeat analysis discuss the Department of education’s 2023 high school survey, which shows girls, especially girls of color, have much higher stress levels, and feel less supported, than boys.…
Middle schoolers as scholars: Critical participatory action research [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:13
We speak with Dr. Sam Finesurrey, assistant professor of history at Guttman Community College, and three 2024 graduates of School in the Square (S2), a charter middle school in Washington Heights, Manhattan. Dr. Finesurr…