The Dean’s List
America Out Loud Network © – The Dean’s List is a show resolved to Renovate the Age by shining the light of truth on the decaying American education system while also shining the light of hope for parents and grandparents.
Is there a correlation between infant screen time and adult anxiety?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – New research tracks children from infancy to adolescence, revealing how early screen exposure may reshape brain development, slow decision-making, and increase anxiety risk. Findings highlight infancy as a critical window and show how simple parental interactions, like reading together, can help offset potential long-term cognitive and emotional impacts...
Researchers discover the connectivity of reading and the human mind
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Research shows increased connectivity in various regions of the brain long after you’ve read a book. This demonstrates not only the importance of reading, but also what we are reading. Reading books causes persistent changes in resting-state connectivity of the brain was published in the journal Brain Connectivity...
Reading achievement remains stagnant in lower elementary
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – What’s troubling about this report is that these children were not in school during the closures of the pandemic period in 2020 and 2021, yet their academic struggles mirror those of older students who experienced those disruptions earlier in their elementary school careers. It’s almost as if these students are meeting lowered...
New research shows school choice movement is a boon for public schools
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – New research finds school choice programs strengthen public schools by driving competition and improving academic outcomes. A Florida-based analysis shows significantly higher gains for students compared to increased funding alone, suggesting policy design and incentives play a critical role in boosting performance and delivering stronger returns on education investment...
The true story of how New Hampshire joined the fight for independence
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – In 1776, New Hampshire stands at a crossroads. After its Royal Governor flees and tensions with Britain intensify, local leaders debate loyalty, reconciliation, and independence. Delegates work to persuade their constituents that breaking from Britain may be the only path forward in the growing struggle for American liberty...
HHS sends letter: States may not remove children from parents over gender
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The letter follows troubling reports of states removing children when parents declined to support their child's self-identification as another sex. “Surely we can all agree: No state can be allowed to rip children from their parents’ arms and transition them to a new gender against the parents’ will,” Trump stated during his SOTU.
SCOTUS says NO to California schools hiding gender identity from parents
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The Supreme Court has blocked California policy that prohibits school personnel from informing parents when students request changes to their gender identity at school. SCOTUS states that “The State argues that its policies advance a compelling interest in student safety and privacy. But those policies cut out the primary protectors of children’s best interests: their parents.”
Federal judge pauses legislation that limits social media use among minors
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Judge Giles said that the measure, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, likely violates First Amendment free speech protections for minors and adults. She further stated the law didn’t go far enough by exempting addictive interactive gaming from coverage. While Virginia contends the law is a reasonable response to...
Homeschool bill set to pass the US Senate
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The U.S. Senate prepares to vote on the Home School Graduation Recognition Act, legislation designed to ensure homeschool graduates are recognized as high school graduates for federal student aid. Supporters say the measure will prevent discrimination in employment, trade schools, and colleges while affirming equal treatment for homeschool students nationwide...
The Pennsylvania signers who turned the tide of Independence
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – As the push for independence intensifies in 1776, Pennsylvania’s delegation stands divided. Benjamin Franklin’s influence begins to shift opinions as James Wilson and John Morton reconsider their stance. A dramatic series of votes ultimately changes Pennsylvania’s position, helping tip the balance toward independence and shaping the outcome of the Continental Congress decision...
Utah State school board member urges parents to flee public schools
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – A Utah State School Board member urges parents to withdraw their children from public schools, citing dysfunction, ideological indoctrination, and declining academic performance. The discussion explores why the system continues to fail and argues that classical education, moral formation, and engaged parents offer a path toward restoring meaningful learning for future generations...
$1.5 million settlement given to parents who could not opt out of LGBT storytime
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – A landmark Supreme Court victory forces Montgomery County to pay $1.5 million to parents denied the right to opt their children out of LGBT story time. The ruling affirms parental authority and religious freedom, declaring that public education cannot override deeply held faith-based convictions and values...
Appellate court upholds Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The Fifth Circuit overturns earlier rulings blocking Louisiana’s Ten Commandments classroom law, declaring the challenge premature while a concurring judge argues the statute is constitutional on the merits. The decision revisits First Amendment precedent, religious history, and the role of faith in education and governance...
Schools are the bedrock of racial discrimination and anti-American values
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Only 17% of black students met third-grade reading proficiency levels, with Native American students only reaching 17.6% and Pacific Islanders coming in lower at 16.7%. As for graduation rates, 79.4% of black students received high school diplomas, while only 73.7% of Latino students and 61.5% of Native American students graduated...
Travel is swiftly becoming a homeschool perk
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – As homeschooling rises, families embrace the freedom to turn travel into meaningful learning experiences. Parents report stronger grades, deeper curiosity, and closer family bonds as children attend online classes from anywhere. Flexible, mobile education reshapes how families explore the world while staying academically on track throughout the year...
Teachers vs TikTok: Is edutainment taking over the classroom?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Sixty-seven percent (67%) of teachers said they have had to correct or “un-teach” misinformation from online videos with 49% of teachers saying they’ve had to correct or “un-teach” the information more than once. With students demanding more edutainment, how will teachers be able to keep their classrooms from looking like a content-creator studio on YouTube?
Why are American universities receiving billions in foreign funding?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Americans should be concerned at the thought of any foreign nation pumping millions of dollars into our education system. It’s concerning that McMahon noted there is “funding from countries and entities that are involved in activities that threaten America’s national security.” How long has this been going on? Why have we been allowing it?
Texas and Minnesota are two sides of the same coin
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – While MN flounders in confused ideology, leaving their families and students with no hope for an academic future, TX is lighting the way with Education Freedom Accounts to begin in the fall of 2026. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy concurred, stating the federal government “will not look the other way” on this matter...
Benjamin Franklin, the personification of colonial America
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Benjamin Franklin rises from obscurity to become the embodiment of the New World, admired across Europe for his intellect, ingenuity, and character. Beyond inventions and public service, his lifelong pursuit of moral virtue shapes his success, legacy, and enduring influence during the birth of American independence...
Student protests: Grassroots or teachers’ union?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Student protests across the country are portrayed as spontaneous youth activism, but evidence suggests a coordinated effort led by powerful unions and activist groups. Ties between the National Education Association and organized movements raise serious questions about political indoctrination in schools, parental consent, and whether classrooms are being used to advance radical...
Hegseth pulls military out of ‘Woke Harvard’
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Hegseth’s move away from Harvard marks a significant turning point in closing the chapter of Wokeism in higher education as other universities also end the destructive ideology. “We are now seeking One Billion Dollars in damages, and want nothing further to do, into the future, with Harvard University,” the president said in...
Why do athletes on Team USA despise America?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – As olympic athletes trash the country which has given them every opportunity to fulfill their dreams, one can only look to our education system as the main culprit. Why is it that only American athletes treat their country with such disrespect? The answer is simple. They’re only doing what they’re been taught to do...
DOE’s McMahon says students and teachers can pray again at school
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The U.S. Department of Education recently offered guidance clarifying the right of students and teachers in public schools to pray and engage in other religious expression. Instead of taking the Cardona approach of silencing teachers and students out of fear, McMahon’s updated guidance helps schools align their policies with...
How the Maryland signers convinced the colony of Independence
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – I trace how four Maryland patriots move a reluctant colony toward independence, risking reputation and fortune for liberty. Their courage, faith, and character help transform cautious protest into resolve. In marking 250 years of independence, I argue these men show why principles matter, why virtue sustains freedom, and why the Declaration still calls us to responsibility...
‘Trump admin will not tolerate policies that erase women’s rights’
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – According to Erin Friday, an attorney and co-leader of Our Duty, a parent support group that opposes transgender medical procedures for minors, “California is the death-star of gender ideology, and the state desperately needs to return to biological reality.” The Department of Education has launched an investigation into the California...
California is a prime example of why parents are seeking alternatives to public education
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – New revelations show California schools concealing gender transition records from parents, sparking legal battles, federal scrutiny, and growing outrage over parental rights. Lawsuits, court rulings, and malpractice cases intensify debate about education, transparency, and the role of government in children’s lives today across the nation...
“Taking school choice to every state,” American Federation for Children CEO Tommy Schultz
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – American Federation for Children CEO Tommy Schultz explains how a new federal scholarship tax credit could expand school choice nationwide. Beginning in 2027, the policy invites private investment to fund K-12 education, empower families, and reshape education reform, while supporters race to implement it effectively before political windows...
How New Jersey swapped delegates to back independence
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – In 1776, New Jersey faces a political crisis as its delegates oppose independence. Determined patriots respond by replacing them, reshaping the colony’s representation and future. Through behind-the-scenes maneuvering, key figures work to align New Jersey with the American cause, helping secure support for independence at a pivotal moment in history...
Will this become the golden age in American education?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The public education system has proven to be an abject failure and parents are demanding more choices. "As we celebrate National School Choice Week, we embark on what will be a golden age in American education supercharged by a belief that all families should have access to the educational environment that best meets their needs.”
Dear Minnesota, teaching kids to hate the law is not the answer
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The pubic education system in Minnesota is more interested in raising ideologues who hate the law rather than fostering academic learning. Minnesota schools have become a breeding ground for fostering a culture in which resistance and anti-authoritarianism thrive. According to the Charter School’s website, its education is centered on social justice...
Supreme Court considers whether men should play in women’s sports
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – The Justices asked potent questions, while the defense responded with making “we just know” statements without providing any real evidence to their claims. During oral arguments, Hurst said his state’s law treats all males and females equally. The law “classifies on the basis of sex because sex is what matters in sports ... [and] gender identity does not.”
How Caesar Rodney turned the tide of Independence
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – As America marks 250 years of independence, the story of Caesar Rodney’s midnight ride reveals how liberty often turns on quiet courage. Delaware’s divided vote, fierce debate, and hard persuasion remind us that freedom is chosen, not inevitable. Teaching these moments forms judgment, virtue, and citizens willing to defend liberty when it matters most...
Policy makers finally consider laptop limitations in schools
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Policymakers begin questioning one-to-one laptop policies in schools as concerns grow over student screen time. Education leaders urge limits, especially for younger children, and encourage a return to paper-based learning. The shift reflects rising awareness about attention, development, and balancing technology with meaningful classroom interaction and long-term educational outcomes...
Could we ever live without our smartphones? For 30 days, even?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Over half (53%) of Americans want to cut down on phone usage in 2025 (33% more than in 2023). We feel the pressure of this technology addiction, as more than half of Americans, at 52%, say they want to reduce their phone time. But longing to do a thing and actually accomplishing the thing can sometimes be worlds apart...
What kind of life are we building with our thoughts?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – According to Rene’ Descartes, the only thing within our absolute power is our own thinking. Unfortunately, too many are willing to hand that power over social media. In Discourse on the Method, René Descartes acknowledged that “Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.” Taking Aurelius and Descartes together, building the life we want is...
Boredom is a biological design letting us know when our lives are drifting off course
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Boredom is not a flaw but a signal that something meaningful is missing. Instead of numbing it with constant digital stimulation, allowing moments of quiet helps the brain reset, reflect, and refocus. By embracing intentional boredom, people can reconnect with purpose, strengthen attention, and discover healthier ways to engage with daily life...
Who was Joseph Hewes, and how did he save American independence?
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – As the colonies stand divided, one man carries the deciding vote that shapes America’s future. Joseph Hewes of North Carolina wrestles with conscience, loyalty, and rising public pressure as independence hangs in the balance. Amid fiery debate and shifting opinion, his choice opens the door to a new nation and alters the course of history forever...
We are experiencing a reawakening of classical music
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – Classical music is experiencing a surprising resurgence as audiences rediscover its beauty through radio, streaming platforms, and online media. A small college station in Charlotte tops the ratings, while global data shows rising interest in orchestral concerts and classical soundtracks. This cultural shift suggests timeless music is finding new life with modern listeners...
The birth of Independence
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – John Adams recalls a moment when independence is unthinkable, yet quietly set in motion. Guided by Benjamin Rush’s “Frankfurt advice,” colonial leaders avoid the word while reshaping destiny through strategy, unity, and restraint. From whispered counsel to the creation of a Continental Army, subtle choices steer the colonies toward revolution and nationhood...
The rugged individualism of Samuel Morse brought us modern communication
The Dean’s List with Host Dean Bowen – I explore how Samuel Morse’s rugged individualism sparks one of the greatest breakthroughs in human communication. From a chance conversation at sea to the invention of Morse Code, I show how curiosity, creativity, and perseverance—not collectivism—drive innovation and shape the modern world we rely on today...