Reading, writing, and arithmetic are increasingly overshadowed by citizens, censorship, and the statehouse. The news is filled with outrage over teaching “divisive concepts” and banning books and graphic novels, which has placed school libraries and classrooms on the front lines. But there’s a complicated and interesting history to education, fights over curriculum, and who has a say over what children learn.

Host: Andrew J. Falk

Guest: Brian Puaca

Past is Prologue is a history podcast that provides the public with the background behind the day's headlines, and offers much-needed context to understand the significance of current events that people observe around them. It seeks to contribute to the public conversation in an engaging, informative, accessible, and constructive way. It's produced by the Department of History in the College of Arts & Humanities at Christopher Newport University in Virginia. We welcome your inquiries and feedback at pastpodcast@cnu.edu.