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Full episode
764: School's Out Forever
Act Two

The Case of The Vanishing Sixth Grader

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The pandemic moved lots of families around, and many children simply vanished from school, in person, and online. Chana followed one student who re-enrolled at school after an 18-month absence — is it possible to jump back onto the treadmill? (24 minutes)

By Chana Joffe-Walt

Song:

“School Is Out” by Gary U.S. Bonds

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Act Four: The New Kids

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Act One: See Something, Slay Something

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More by Chana Joffe-Walt

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770: My Lying Eyes
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Act One: She Blinded Us With Science

Producer Chana Joffe-Walt talks to researcher Mary Koss about how she came to see a thing that others couldn’t, and about what she did with that knowledge. (15 minutes)
766: Well Someone Had to Do SOMETHING!
Apr. 1, 2022

Act Four: A Funny Thing Happened When We Were Already AT the Theater

Producer Chana Joffe-Walt tells the story of a woman who took it upon herself to do something in an effort to help, and was not well received. (8 minutes)
764: School's Out Forever
Mar. 11, 2022

Act One: Big Mother Is Watching

When school closed and threw routines into disarray, one mom and daughter figured out a new way to make it work.
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This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

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