In this episode of Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna welcomes Steve Bowen, Executive Director of the Hoover Education Success Initiative, to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in education policy and reform. With a rich background as a former Maine legislator, educator, and education commissioner, Bowen brings unique insights into the intersection of state leadership and education reform.

Bowen shares his journey from teaching middle and high school social studies to shaping education policy at a state level. His experience in the Maine legislature and as commissioner of education helped him understand the critical relationship between policymakers and educators in enacting meaningful reforms.

At the Hoover Institution, Bowen focuses on ensuring research informs public policy. He discusses the initiative's current projects, including a deep dive into the lessons learned over the 40 years since A Nation at Risk, and the exploration of systemic changes in education. With his role at Hoover, Bowen aims to translate rigorous academic research into actionable insights for policymakers, helping address pressing issues like COVID-19 recovery, funding models, and the evolving role of education in civic health.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the need for a shift in how education systems operate and the importance of focusing reforms on student achievement while balancing the unique needs of rural and urban communities.

Key Moments

00:00 Teacher turned legislator and education policy advisor.

04:55 Hoover excels in thorough, rigorous educational research.

08:53 Considering new governance for sustainable education reform.

09:49 Rethink educational reform beyond constant lists.

13:23 Focus on civic education, schools' role emphasized.

17:26 Effective school funding requires strategic capacity building.

21:26 Seeking new educational reform catalyst post-COVID.

24:06 Embrace continuous learning for adapting to change.

26:04 Children are 100% future; subscribe for more.

Connect with Steve Bowen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbowen207

Website: https://www.hoover.org/