Episode 74 · October 29, 2026

Kathy Barnette on Reading, Parents and the Mississippi Miracle | Episode 74

In this pre-election episode, Dom Giordano argues that school choice and parental rights should be decisive issues for voters. He also examines Pennsylvania's new bell-to-bell school cell phone restrictions and explains "aliteracy"—the ability to read without developing the habit of reading. Dom is joined by radio host and former U.S. Senate candidate Kathy Barnette for a discussion of the F3 Forum in Philadelphia and the question at its center: Can Philadelphia replicate the Mississippi Miracle? Barnette describes the barriers facing children, the need for parents and communities to take responsibility, and why she believes local school-board involvement matters. The conversation later turns to Pennsylvania's 2026 elections, including the Scott Perry–Janelle Stelson congressional race and the Josh Shapiro–Stacey Garrity governor's race, as well as campaign funding, debate strategy and grassroots organizing. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome and the pre-election stakes 02:06 Pennsylvania's bell-to-bell cell phone ban 02:34 Aliteracy and why reading practice matters 04:02 Introducing Kathy Barnette 05:44 Can Philadelphia replicate the Mississippi Miracle? 06:22 Community, parenting and the barriers children face 08:06 Daniel Patrick Moynihan and government programs 09:44 Reading as a path to redemption 11:07 Parents, school boards and teachers unions 13:59 Pennsylvania's 2026 congressional races 16:38 Josh Shapiro, Stacey Garrity and campaign strategy 19:18 Where to follow Kathy Barnette 20:53 Closing thoughts Referenced material and guest links: Pennsylvania Governor's Office, "Gov. Shapiro Signs Bell-to-Bell Ban into Law": https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/gov--shapiro-signs-bell-to-bell-ban-into-law--students-learn-wit Kathy Barnette, "The F3 Forum: Faith, Family & the Future of Education in America": https://kathybarnette.substack.com/p/its-official-our-2nd-annual-conference Kathy Barnette on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kathy4Truth Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Maximum Feasible Misunderstanding: https://books.google.com/books/about/maximum_feasible_misunderstanding.html?id=E6VlFX1mkBkC Send questions and observations to domshow@aol.com. More episodes: https://oldschoolnewschool.com

Topic

Technology & Kids

Runtime

21m