All Segments
John Kennedy — The Hidden Crisis in American Education
43 segments available
John Kennedy, a director at the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation, is tackling an overlooked crisis in American education: air quality. With the ingenious use of a simple $60 box fan, he's on a mission to revolutionize the health and learning environments of students nationwide. It's mind-boggling how much low-hanging fruit there is here. The difference that clean air makes to health and brain capacity is enormous, and it's a surprisingly cheap problem to fix. In fact, as you'll hear about halfway through our conversation, I was so convinced by John and the Corsi-Rosenthal team's solution that I committed to offering him a $100k Fellowship on the spot. But our discussion went far beyond air quality. John shared fascinating insights into the future of education—how we can reorganize it from the ground up to produce happy, healthy, and high-agency adults ready for the challenges of the 21st century. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!”, check out our Substack - https://8ca54796.streaklinks.com/CJPd0z7cXCh07hc4JAiMaKTC/https%3A%2F%2Fnewsletter.osv.llc%2F. - Jim Important Links: - The Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation - https://corsirosenthalfoundation.org.uk/ - John’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngkennedy4 - John’s Twitter - https://x.com/jo_hn2 Show Notes: 0:00:00 Intro 0:00:58 Main podcast 0:01:29 Nobody gets to choose the air they breathe... 0:05:19 Why has air quality been overlooked? 0:09:23 When Jim got stranded up a mountain 0:12:32 How do you scale a K-12 solution? 0:25:55 What would it cost to put a Cori-Rosenthal box in every New York classroom? 0:29:13 Surprise! Welcome to the O’Shaughnessy Fellowships 0:36:56 What would a model 21st century K-12 system look like? 0:43:30 How to overcome systemic inertia 0:52:07 Do Charter schools work? 0:55:31 Why public schools can’t mimic private school innovations 0:57:52 What exciting developments are happening in edtech? 1:02:15 What does public school look like in 2044? 1:10:27 John as World Emperor Books Mentioned: - The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America; by George Packer
Segments Timeline
The Hidden Crisis of Air Quality
John Kennedy highlights the alarming air quality levels in Texas elementary schools, revealing that high CO2 levels can reduce cognitive capacity by 35%. He emphasizes the urgent need to address air quality in educational settings, as it significantly impacts students' ability to learn and focus.
"the median Texas Elementary School had a particle power CO2 of 1,400 parts per million which by its in Ru map is enough to reduce cognitive capacity by like 35% if you grow up if your parents buy a ho..."
The Corsi-Rosenthal Box: A Simple Solution
Kennedy introduces the Corsi-Rosenthal box, a cost-effective air purification solution made from a box fan and air filters. He explains how this $60 device can dramatically improve indoor air quality, outperforming more expensive alternatives and significantly reducing airborne pollutants that affect student health and learning.
"shanos with yet another infinite Loops today my guest is somebody whose work is really fascinating to me his name is John Kennedy he's a founder of edtech companies the chair of Clean Air k12.com and ..."
Why Air Quality Has Been Overlooked
Kennedy discusses the reasons behind the neglect of air quality in schools, noting that unlike food and water quality, air quality is often invisible and thus less prioritized. He points out that the COVID-19 pandemic brought attention to indoor air quality, yet systemic issues remain unaddressed.
"mind absolutely we treat every input to our bodies except for air we are very deliberate about the food we eat we have extensive Civic programs uh government programs to address the water quality but ..."
The Impact of Poor Air Quality on Learning
Kennedy explains how poor air quality in schools can inhibit cognitive function and creativity. He shares data showing that high CO2 levels can lead to decreased focus and attention in students, ultimately affecting their educational outcomes and overall well-being.
"large this is a very solvable problem many of our buildings are very old unfortunately but you can improve the quality of your room that you're in for a very small amount of money I have with me a Cor..."
A Personal Experience with Air Quality
Jim shares a personal anecdote about experiencing cognitive decline at high altitudes due to low oxygen levels. This experience underscores the importance of air quality and its immediate effects on mental clarity, paralleling the challenges faced by students in poorly ventilated classrooms.
"removes 99.4% of aerosols that cause and spread diseases asthma alone drives 10 million this school days per year and the pollutants that cause that can um be removed by these filters as well so the c..."
The Challenge of Scaling Solutions in K-12 Education
Kennedy discusses the complexities of implementing air quality solutions across diverse school districts in the U.S. He highlights the fragmented nature of the K-12 education system and the varying challenges faced by different districts, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to improve air quality.
"know you are and I obviously support this but my my big question is why has nobody looked at this I mean with the billions and billions and billions that are spent both at the state and federal level ..."
The Role of Government in Education
Kennedy critiques the limited influence of the federal government on K-12 education quality. He explains how funding and support for educational initiatives often fall short, particularly in addressing fundamental issues like air quality, which are crucial for student success.
"inhibit our creativity reduce our Focus and attention and there there's just so many educational social outcomes left on the table by accepting the poor state of systems the way we are we have given g..."
The Importance of Local Education Agencies
Kennedy elaborates on the structure of local education agencies in the U.S., noting the vast number of school districts and the unique challenges each faces. He emphasizes the need for localized solutions to effectively address air quality and other systemic issues in education.
"their educational outcomes there is a natural study in Los Angeles when so there's a gas leak in 2015 in the Los Angeles area and as part of the settlement the um offending party was forced to install..."
Innovative Solutions for Air Quality
Kennedy advocates for innovative approaches to improve air quality in schools, including the adoption of the Corsi-Rosenthal box. He stresses that these low-cost solutions can have a transformative impact on student health and learning outcomes, making a compelling case for their widespread implementation.
"transformative I want to get to all of the many many ills that I hope uh you and others like you are going to be able to solve in cage2 uh but before then I I I had a personal experience which made me..."
Navigating the Fragmented K-12 Landscape
John Kennedy discusses the complexity of the K-12 education system in the U.S., highlighting the vast number of school districts and the unique challenges they face. He emphasizes that solutions must be tailored to diverse markets, from large urban districts like New York City to small rural schools in Montana. Understanding this fragmentation is crucial for implementing effective educational reforms.
"cans or we passed a lot of bags to somebody further along the food chain and that can often end the school district so there's 14,000 school districts in the country I'm reporing this from New York Ci..."
The Power School Phenomenon
Kennedy delves into the significance of Power School, the first cloud-based student information system, and its impact on the K-12 market. He compares its market capitalization and revenue to tech giants like Google, illustrating the fragmented nature of the education technology sector and the challenges of scaling solutions within it.
"and it does not receive a fraction of the funding that other socially important systems like healthcare for example have the in K12 software the elephant in the r company is power school Power School ..."
Reimagining K-12 Education with AI
In this segment, Kennedy explores the potential of AI in creating personalized learning environments that mimic one-on-one tutoring. He reflects on the historical effectiveness of individualized education and contrasts it with the current classroom dynamics, where teachers manage large groups of students, often hindering personalized learning.
"something in K12 school districts there's there's a school district has two functions that are separate but bundled together daycare and instruction there's a you know Duty that you drop your kid off ..."
Empowering Teachers and Students
Kennedy emphasizes the importance of involving teachers in the implementation of clean air solutions in classrooms. He discusses how teachers, motivated by passion rather than profit, can adopt practices that enhance student learning and well-being, and how the Corsi-Rosenthal box can be integrated into classroom projects to foster agency among students.
"teachers in this country but they have you know it's a really rough time to be a teacher right now and that's who when we're going to spread clean air K12 that's who our primary audience is right now ..."
Building a Community of Success Stories
This segment focuses on the strategy of creating a loop of success stories in K-12 education. Kennedy explains how sharing successful implementations of the Corsi-Rosenthal box can generate interest and drive adoption among teachers and schools, ultimately leading to a broader systemic change in air quality management in classrooms.
"story enabling that partner to broadcast that success story to an audience of their peers creating more interest turning that into more success stories and turning that into more interests so this you..."
Scaling Up Clean Air Solutions
Kennedy outlines the challenges and strategies for scaling the distribution of clean air solutions in schools. He discusses the importance of partnerships, funding, and the need for a strong organizational structure to support the initiative, while also highlighting the credibility of the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation's board members.
"works yeah and uh as you were explaining I I wondered uh would it make sense to try to First convert the teachers unions who would then disseminate that down to the individual teachers because if I'm ..."
The Cost of Clean Air in NYC Classrooms
In this segment, Kennedy estimates the cost of implementing the Corsi-Rosenthal box in every New York City classroom, revealing that it represents a small fraction of the overall budget. He discusses potential funding models and the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to improve indoor air quality in schools.
"we also have practitioners like Jim and volunteers and Endor equality Advocates who have promoted this work so we are really lucky to have some a really strong board but we looking to build our capaci..."
Overcoming Resistance to Change
Kennedy addresses the resistance faced when trying to implement clean air solutions in schools. He shares anecdotes about challenges encountered with school districts and emphasizes the universal need for clean air, while also discussing the potential impact of grants and funding on expanding the initiative.
"somebody uh a philanthropist said I wantan to I want to put these boxes in every uh classroom in New York first off would New York let that happen which is a bizarre question to ask but given you know..."
The Case for Clean Air in Education
In the concluding segment, Kennedy makes a compelling case for the necessity of clean air in educational settings. He argues that the benefits of improved air quality far outweigh the costs, and he expresses optimism about the potential for significant impact through funding and community support.
"path there again I I'm just a bit mystified here because this when you mentioned the the cost versus the budget of the school district this is a this is a rounding error and and it just seems to me li..."
Identifying the Worst Air Quality Districts
Kennedy identifies districts with the poorest air quality, specifically mentioning Galena Park in Texas, which is situated in an industrial area. He discusses the significant impact of air quality on students' learning environments and the potential for a $100,000 investment to cover air filtration needs across the district.
"have the we cannot we do have the funding to continue to scale our work if we were able to take several orders of magnitude more than what we've gotten so far I mean we've gotten great support from Bl..."
Commitment to Change
In a pivotal moment, Kennedy receives a commitment of $100,000 to implement air quality solutions in Galena Park. He expresses excitement about the opportunity to make a tangible difference in students' lives through improved air quality and rigorous monitoring of the project's outcomes.
"reduction in uh absenteeism the uh you mentioned test course it I mean it would it would take all the rest of the podcast to list all the benefits so yeah if if you had 100,000 and I said I want you t..."
Designing a 21st Century K-12 System
Kennedy is challenged to envision a new K-12 educational system from scratch. He emphasizes the importance of integrating natural features into school environments, promoting student engagement with the outdoors, and ensuring high-quality air and food for optimal learning.
"pick Galina Park in Texas which is a district almost entirely on the east side of Houston in the very industrial area so you think of that significant effect of going from 18,000 feet in Nepal having ..."
Empowering Students and Teachers
In this segment, Kennedy discusses the need for educational environments that empower both students and teachers. He advocates for personalized education and the use of AI to enhance learning experiences, ensuring that every student receives tailored support.
"fantastic I have worked with Cena Park in the past and I will reach out to them and you're you're making podcast history here but we would want to give them multiple years worth of course Rosen boxes ..."
The Role of AI in Education
Kennedy highlights the transformative potential of AI in education, particularly in providing one-on-one tutoring. He argues that AI can augment teachers' roles, allowing them to focus on higher-value interactions with students while improving educational outcomes.
"that you are sitting there with a $60 solution and that there are kids in you know in the shadow of oil listen but my grandfather made his entire fortune in oil he proceeded to give away most of it th..."
Reimagining Educational Structures
Kennedy discusses the need to move away from outdated educational structures designed for mass production. He envisions a system that embraces customization and innovation, allowing for a more effective and engaging learning experience for students.
"profit side of K2 I want to talk a little bit about that but I want to challenge you um and say Blank Slate it's you are looking at a blank sheet of paper and I tell you John I want you to use first p..."
Challenges in Teacher Recruitment
Kennedy addresses the current challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers, noting the negative perceptions surrounding the teaching profession. He emphasizes the need for systemic changes to improve teacher satisfaction and attract new talent into the field.
"ideally a a campus that has um a variety of natural features where students can learn and engage with the outdoors where they are not consigned to the dimensions of the classroom or what they can lear..."
Overcoming Inertia in Education
In this segment, Kennedy discusses the inertia and resistance to innovation within the education system. He highlights the importance of competition and growth as catalysts for change, advocating for a proactive approach to overcoming entrenched interests.
"instructional environment and then going into the instructional environment teachers that can Empower students with as much agency as possible every day students who are held account accountability is..."
The Future of Educational Funding
Kennedy explores the financial challenges faced by school districts, particularly in light of declining enrollment. He discusses the implications of fixed costs on educational funding and the need for innovative solutions to ensure sustainable investment in schools.
"in synthesis School uh which is mostly math but it's entirely AI tutoring and the results over there are again like kind of ridiculously good um and and it's interesting to me and I am a proponent of ..."
The Teacher Shortage Crisis
John Kennedy discusses the alarming shortage of teachers in American education, highlighting that only half of the open vacancies are being filled. He emphasizes the negative perception parents have towards their children becoming teachers, a trend that has worsened since 2016. This segment sheds light on the systemic issues affecting teacher recruitment and retention, including low salaries and high-profile strikes.
"so we are replacing just barely half of the open teacher vacancies we have that just proportionally you know hurt the the neediest populations and more importantly it's great to hear that you're the g..."
Competition and Growth in Education
In this segment, Kennedy explains how the default state of organizations is calcification without change. He argues that competition and growth are essential for educational institutions to innovate and improve. By contrasting urban districts facing declining enrollment with growing suburban districts, he illustrates the importance of fostering a positive environment for educational development.
"should be there there are a lot of issues here and I think the one driver of this I have I have a view the default state of any organization is calcification without change you just stay the same and ..."
Funding Dynamics in K-12 Education
Kennedy delves into the financial challenges faced by K-12 schools, particularly in urban areas where declining student enrollment leads to reduced funding. He discusses the fixed costs of school districts and how the loss of students impacts their ability to maintain facilities and staff. This segment highlights the need for innovative funding solutions to support struggling schools.
"I think that Dynamics the hostility is nature of a zero sum or negative sum game and in many big school districts enrollment is decreasing which means that funding goes out the door with it and if you..."
The Fragmentation of American Education
This segment addresses the fragmentation of educational systems in America, noting the decline in political discourse surrounding school improvement. Kennedy references George Packer's book 'The Unwinding' to illustrate how institutions are dissolving, leading to a lack of cohesive strategies for enhancing education. He emphasizes the need for renewed focus on improving school quality across the nation.
"goes out the door with them and the pie gets smaller for everybody you see these Dynamics on the you know much friendlier side you you remove this hostility when you're in a district that's growing th..."
The Role of Public Universities
Kennedy reflects on the significance of public universities, particularly the University of North Carolina, in driving economic growth and educational quality. He discusses how selective admissions and community investment contribute to the success of these institutions, contrasting them with the challenges faced by public school districts. This segment underscores the importance of strong public education systems in fostering societal advancement.
"has not been as nearly as vocal as pronounce of a political discussion as it has been in decades past you know this was a major U Democrat issue Republicans George W bush oversaw enormous amount of ed..."
Charter Schools: A Double-Edged Sword
In this segment, Kennedy explores the contentious relationship between charter schools and public schools. He discusses the mixed results of charter school performance and the hostility that arises when students transfer from public to charter schools, taking funding with them. Kennedy advocates for innovative approaches that blend charter and public school systems to enhance educational outcomes.
"such an attractive place is a variety of factors one it gets to choose the students it lets in it is there's only around 200 universities and they most people think that like there's all these selecti..."
Private vs. Public School Innovations
Kennedy examines whether successful practices from private schools can be applied to public schools. He argues that the structural differences between the two systems limit the transferability of innovations. This segment highlights the challenges public schools face in adopting effective strategies due to their inability to select students and manage resources as flexibly as private institutions.
"has been 70 years ago North Carolina was in the bottom deck a States and quality of life now it's in the top deck a and a huge driver of that is besides the air conditioning is University Carolina and..."
The Promise of AI in Education
Kennedy shares his excitement about the potential of AI to transform K-12 education. He discusses how AI can personalize learning experiences and improve educator productivity by automating administrative tasks. This segment emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to enhance educational outcomes and address the challenges faced by teachers.
"remove hostility and that structural imp what about the uh Charter School System um that I've seen several uh documentaries on it I've read many books uh about it um and and it does seem that there is..."
Innovative Solutions for Educators
In this segment, Kennedy elaborates on how AI can alleviate the burdens teachers face, allowing them to focus more on student interaction. He discusses the potential for AI to streamline lesson planning and assessment, ultimately improving the educational experience for both teachers and students. This highlights the critical role of technology in modernizing education.
"to measure and I'll say zooming all the all the way out the most consistent finding in educational research is that your life is going to be changed by your parents and those closest around you more t..."
AI's Role in Personalized Learning
John Kennedy discusses the transformative potential of AI in K-12 education, emphasizing its ability to create personalized learning environments tailored to individual student needs. He highlights how AI can enhance educator productivity by automating tasks like lesson generation and quiz creation, allowing teachers to focus more on direct student interaction.
"coming up with Incredible use cases for it and it matters because there's two frontiers of AI that I think are going to be enormously impactable to K12 the first is as we said the personalized learnin..."
The Future of Teaching with AI
Kennedy envisions a future where AI acts as an infinite army of teaching assistants, providing unique instructional experiences for each student. He discusses the importance of differentiated learning paths and the integration of career and technical education, preparing students for real-world challenges and opportunities immediately after graduation.
"which I think is the most exciting out of all these but I'm very biased in that where we can work with districts specifically to customize their own Ai implementations and do this at scale so I think ..."
Preparing Students for Tomorrow
In this segment, John Kennedy reflects on the evolving role of public schools in shaping future adults. He emphasizes the need for educational systems to prioritize the holistic development of students, ensuring they are equipped to lead society and adapt to the challenges of the 21st century.
"are and so let's again I'm really gonna put you through your Paces here uh let's let's let's look 20 years hence if the public school districts um implement mented several of the ideas that we have be..."
The Challenge of Adult Factory Schools
Kennedy critiques the traditional education system as an 'adult factory' that produces graduates without adequately preparing them for life. He discusses the necessity for schools to adapt and respond to the needs of students, ensuring they graduate with the skills and knowledge required for success in society.
"think another really development that I mentioned briefly is Career and Technical education where the preparation of uh it's called College Career College and Career radius in that space in K12 has sh..."
Creating the Next Generation of Leaders
John Kennedy stresses the importance of prioritizing the education of future generations. He argues that failing to adequately prepare young adults can lead to societal decline, highlighting the critical role of education in fostering capable leaders who can contribute positively to society.
"we haven't talked about school districts are an adult Factory you put in a fifth you put in a 5-year-old and in a fully trained 18y old when he comes out right and that's an enormous challenge that re..."
The Power of Small Changes
In this segment, Kennedy discusses the significance of implementing small, impactful changes in education, such as introducing affordable air purification solutions. He emphasizes that these incremental improvements can lead to substantial long-term benefits for students' health and learning environments.
"that there are young people like you um who are are pushing this uh ball up up a hill do you sometimes feel like cispus where where you just pushing that Boulder and and uh you you got rolls back down..."
A Vision for Global Change
Kennedy shares his vision for a world where everyone is committed to treating others with respect and ensuring access to clean air. He reflects on the potential for collective action to create a healthier, more equitable future for all, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in educational reform.
"improve the quality of your nare I mean I'm I'm talking my book here but I am the excited about this because this is a frontier that has a lot of political consensus behind it a lot of different stake..."