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.
School & District Management
Opinion
Have Politics Hijacked Education Policy?
School boards should be held more accountable to student learning, says this scholar.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
Should States Mandate Student Testing for Choice Programs?
There are pros and cons to forcing state tests on private schools receiving tax dollars.
School & District Management
Opinion
The Difference Between 'Solving a Problem' and 'Changing Patterns' in Schools
Advice on getting new habits to stick.
Federal
Opinion
Can School Reform Be Bipartisan Again?
In a world dominated by social media, is there room for a more serious education debate?
School & District Management
Opinion
Lessons From a 'Vetted' Superintendent's Fall From Grace
The temptation to chase the "new new thing" has big costs for schooling.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Do Cellphone Bans Really Fix Student Engagement?
Can schools offer a more compelling alternative to social media or AI?
Teaching Profession
Opinion
How a Middle School Teacher Became a Viral Sensation
A science educator explains how he balances being an influencer with his classroom practice.
Education Funding
Opinion
The Federal Shutdown Is a Rorschach Test for Education
Polarization, confusion, and perverse incentives turn a serious discussion into a stylized debate.
Families & the Community
Opinion
Parent-School Partnerships Can Drive Academic Gains. Here's How
This family-engagement advocate says collaboration has a track record of boosting achievement.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
What Could the New Federal Tuition Tax Credit Mean for School Choice?
Just what this new program will mean for your state is still uncertain.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
A New Test for Some Would-Be Teachers Might Just Be a Political Move
The goal of an assessment shouldn't be performative politics.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
How Can Education Savings Accounts Serve Students With Special Needs?
The state that pioneered the ESA is overseeing more than 10,000 requests daily from families for education expenses.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
Why Charlie Kirk Was an Icon to So Many Boys
The 31-year-old firebrand offered something different to many who feel adrift.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
The Biggest Things People Don’t Know About School Choice
The school choice debate is rife with urban myths and dubious claims.