In the name of equity, California public schools are cancelling advanced math classes until 11th grade. Independent Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Williamson M. Evers, Director of Independent's Center on Education Excellence, says that California is cancelling merit in the name of identity politics is unfortunate for gifted students who may not be able to get into selective colleges. Dr. Evers also critically examines how the American Federation of Teachers union has been giving the CDC guidance as to when to reopen schools.

High-caliber, low-cost schools are in demand in some of the poorest areas of the world. These schools are outperforming government schools and are organized by entrepreneurs and parents. Senior Fellow James Tooley speaks with John Batchelor about his new book Really Good Schools: Global Lessons for High-Caliber, Low-Cost Education and why this revolution may be coming to America.

Sr. Fellow Williamson Evers discusses his recent Op-Ed in The Wall Street Journal titled "California Leftists Try to Cancel Math Class" with author and journalist Mitch Albom. Evers discusses the plan to not allow advanced math classes for California students until the 11th grade.

Surveys claim that younger Americans favor socialism far more than preceding generations. What accounts for this fatal attraction and how can we reverse it? What role does social media—which young people remain glued to—have in this apparent leftward trend? On the other hand, what potential does social media have for generating greater appreciation for liberty and enterprise? In this compelling Lighthouse Briefing, Independent Institute Executive Director Dr. Graham H. Walker addresses these questions and more with Chloe Anagnos and Jonathan Hofer—two young, Independent Institute staffers who are careful observers of their own generation (“Millennial” and “Gen Z”).

The University of California system will no longer consider SAT or ACT scores from incoming students. Independent Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Williamson M. Evers says these tests are a proven predictor of students' grade point averages and graduation rates and are essential to enable poor students who may otherwise be overlooked. The tests, he says, are a useful tool to help universities choose good students.

Senior Fellow Williamson M. Evers, Director of the Independent Institute’s Center on Education Excellence, says that “Critical Race Theory” in education assumes everything in American society is based on race and oppression and it is wrong to teach this in college and K-12 as a factual matter. School choice gives parents some options, says Dr. Evers, but parents need to address this with their public schools as soon as possible.

Research Fellow David Legates, co-author of Hot Talk, Cold Science: Global Warming’s Unfinished Debate (Revised and Expanded Third Edition) talks about co-author Fred Singer's legacy and the research that went in to the updated book on the impacts of climate change. The climate always has changed and always will change, says Legates. People can adapt to the climate warming, no matter the cause, he says. Legates talks about a number of climate science topics saying that science is never “settled.”

Sr. Fellow Stephen P. Halbrook, author of The Right to Bear Arms: A Constitutional Right of the People or a Privilege of the Ruling Class? is interviewed about the upcoming US Supreme Court case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. City of New York which may allow easier access to concealed carry permits in the handful of states which deny that right to most citizens.