In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Chad Aldis, Vice President of Ohio Policy at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, to discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities in American education.

Aldis shares his journey from law school to the forefront of education policy, detailing his work in school choice, academic standards, and accountability systems. With experience spanning state legislatures, nonprofit advocacy, and national policy research, Aldis provides a nuanced perspective on what it takes to improve educational outcomes for all students.

The conversation explores the role of rigorous academic standards, the importance of teacher quality, and the evolving landscape of school choice. Aldis highlights how the Fordham Institute has been instrumental in shaping education policy in Ohio while influencing national discussions. He and Luna discuss the critical need for high expectations in schools, the impact of post-pandemic learning gaps—particularly in math—and how accountability measures must prioritize student success over feel-good participation.

They also examine the challenges faced by rural schools and the importance of maintaining educational equity in areas with fewer choices. Wrapping up with a surprising Ohio trivia fact, Aldis and Luna provide a compelling discussion on why education reform is essential for the nation’s future.

Tune in to Swimming Upstream for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges the status quo and advocates for meaningful, student-centered change in education.

Key Moments

04:21 Influence of Ohio's Education Policies

07:01 Boosting Education Through Relevance

12:48 Meaningful Readiness Indicators Needed

15:54 Rural School Challenges and Accountability

17:01 Prioritizing Students and Education Urgency

Connect with Chad Aldis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-aldis-614oh/

Website : https://fordhaminstitute.org/

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna welcomes Stephen D. Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, for a conversation that dives deep into the evolving role of education in preparing students for life beyond high school.

With over four decades in public education—as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and policymaker—Dackin shares how Ohio is reshaping its entire K–12 ecosystem to meet the urgent demands of today’s economy. From pioneering STEM academies in Reynoldsburg to leading the newly integrated Department of Education and Workforce, Dackin has made a career out of building bridges—between schools and businesses, academics and employability, policy and practice.

This episode explores how Ohio is aligning its education system with workforce realities through community-driven school reform, personalized student pathways, and innovative state-level policy shifts. Dackin breaks down the state’s new governance model, which uniquely merges education and workforce strategy, and discusses why that matters for employers, families, and students alike. Listeners will also hear about Ohio’s innovative graduation pathways, career planning reforms, and a game-changing pilot program that could reimagine the high school experience altogether.

Whether you're a state leader, educator, or community advocate, this episode offers both inspiration and a roadmap for making public education more relevant, responsive, and resilient.

Key Moments

00:00 From Athlete to Educator

03:36 Teacher to Administrator Journey

09:57 Empowering Parental Choice in Education

10:55 "Reynoldsburg Reach Community Engagement"

16:19 Ohio's Business Growth and Workforce Challenge

18:48 Pathways Beyond High School

20:35 Transition Challenges to College Success

25:11 Accountability in Education Readiness Measures

30:28 Ohio Education and Workforce Insights

31:28 "Superman Originated in Cleveland"

35:17 "Community Engagement in School Planning"

38:02 "Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Stephen Dackin

Website: https://education.ohio.gov/

In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with MacKenzie Price, an innovative educator and co-founder of 2hr Learning and Alpha School, who is redefining how we approach K-12 education. MacKenzie shares her journey, from growing up in a small-town school to attending Stanford and ultimately pioneering a model that challenges the traditional education system.

MacKenzie’s 2hr Learning methodology focuses on efficiency and mastery, using AI-powered adaptive learning tools to condense academic instruction into just two hours a day. This approach frees up time for students to explore their passions, develop life skills, and excel in unique projects. Her schools, including Alpha School, have achieved remarkable results, with students learning up to six times faster and consistently performing in the top 2% nationwide.

Tom and MacKenzie discuss the challenges and opportunities of scaling this innovative model, including its potential impact on public education through charter and virtual schools.

Tune in to hear how MacKenzie’s passion and transformative ideas are reshaping education—and why she believes every child can thrive with the right approach.

Key Moments

00:00 "Tom Luna's Educational Podcast"

03:06 Lack of Passion-Driven Education

06:13 School System's Motivation Problem

11:17 Accelerated Learning Through Sports

13:14 Paid Learning for Ukrainian Refugees

18:04 Teaching Grit Through Triathlon

19:42 Cultivating Life Skills and Masterpieces

23:36 Philosophical Alignment in EdTech Education

26:45 "Advocating for Diverse Education Choices"

29:15 Children: 100% of Our Future

Connect with Mackenzie Price

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzielprice/

Website: https://2hourlearning.com/