Education policy maven Rick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute think tank (AEI), author of books like The Same Thing Over and Over, Letters to a Young Education Reformer, and A Search for Common Ground, offers straight talk on matters of policy, politics, research, and reform. Rick’s takes are his alone and do not represent AEI or Education Week. Follow Rick on Twitter at @rickhess99.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Can Athletic Coaches Help Students Learn More in the Classroom?
School sports can provide an opportunity for mentorship.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
The Fight Over DEI Continues. Can We Find Common Ground?
Polarizing discussion topics in education can spark a vicious cycle of blame. Is it possible to come to a mutual understanding?
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
How Can Educators Strike a Healthy Balance on Diversity and Inclusion?
DEI advocates and opponents both have good points—and both can go too far.
Assessment
Opinion
Why Are Advanced Placement Scores Suddenly So High?
In 2024, nearly three-quarters of students passed the AP U.S. History exam, compared with less than half in 2022.
Federal
Opinion
Project 2025's Education Lead on the Controversial Policy Agenda
Here’s what the lead author of the education section in the Heritage Foundation’s proposal has to say.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
This Group is Trying to Teach ‘Digital Literacy.’ Here’s How
How can students avoid getting duped by deepfakes online?
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Students Are 'Digital Natives,' But Here’s Where They Struggle
The internet is awash with dubious claims. How can educators teach students to distinguish fact from fiction?
Policy & Politics
Opinion
How Does the Practitioner-Policymaker Divide Impede Schooling?
Policy types and teachers often talk past one another. But do they have to?
Social Studies
Opinion
How Educators Should Approach Election Discussions in Classrooms
Are schools the right place to discuss political topics? It depends.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
Does Ideology Matter When It Comes to Good Educational Ideas?
Fundamental disputes over how schools model norms and set expectations, among other things, are inevitably informed by values.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
What Obama's Secretary of Education Thinks About Schooling Today
Arne Duncan reflects on his legacy and the need for leadership in K-12.
Student Achievement
Opinion
Should Schools Adopt Equitable Grading Practices? A Teacher Voices His Concerns
Responsible grading needs to reflect more than just content mastery, argues a veteran educator.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
Is Education a Public or Private Good?
Education would be better off if it were more democratic, argues an advocate of a new schooling model.
Social Studies
Opinion
How Can Civics Education Safeguard Democracy?
The purpose of civics education must be about more than just getting students to vote.