In Swimming Upstream, host Tom Luna sits down with Dr. Carissa Moffat Miller, CEO of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), to discuss the evolving landscape of education policy, leadership, and innovation. With decades of experience shaping state and national education initiatives, Dr. Miller shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in the field today.

The conversation explores pressing topics such as teacher shortages, the impact of high-dosage tutoring on student learning, and the future of math education reform. Dr. Miller also provides a behind-the-scenes look at how CCSSO helped states navigate the pandemic, manage federal education funds, and implement effective recovery strategies.

As artificial intelligence reshapes education, Dr. Miller discusses CCSSO’s efforts to equip state leaders with policies and best practices for AI integration in classrooms. She also shares a unique piece of Nebraska trivia, adding a personal touch to an insightful discussion.

Tune in to hear how education leaders are driving meaningful change, one policy at a time.

Key Moments

00:00:39 - Setting the Scene

00:01:24 - A Career Rooted in Education Leadership

00:03:23 - The Role of CCSSO

00:04:47 - Navigating Political Transitions in Education

00:06:51 - Addressing the Teacher Shortage

00:08:06 - Pandemic Response & Federal Funding

00:10:38 - Data-Driven Education Recovery

00:12:08 - Math Education Reform & The Science of Reading Parallel

00:14:36 - The Rise of AI in Education

00:17:14 - AI Policy & Classroom Integration

00:18:32 - Nebraska Trivia & Unicameral Legislature

Connect with Carissa Miller

Website: https://ccsso.org/