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.
Professional Development
Opinion
It’s Not Complicated. Instructional Coaches Should Give Clear Feedback
Good teaching isn't an unsolvable mystery. Instructional coaches shouldn't act like it is.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
Is It Time to Ditch the Carnegie Unit?
The measure's fixation on seat time may have stifled K–12 innovation. Will abandoning it lead to improved learning or lower standards?
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Skip the AI Hype: What Can Educators Do With It?
Artificial intelligence can provide practical assistance in the classroom, in the front office, and at home.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
It’s OK to Like Both Public Schools and School Choice
Families want more options for their children. That doesn’t mean they dislike their local schools.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
A School Without Bells or Report Cards. Can It Fly?
Students at one private school earn "learning credits" rather than traditional grades. What does that look like?
School & District Management
Opinion
Time Is a School’s Most Precious Resource. Where Does It Go?
The truth is, an hour of schooling can yield a lot of learning—or none at all.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
What Qualifies as Public Education, Anyway?
Public education can encompass several approaches and can be organized in many different ways.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
How to Distinguish Good SEL From the Dreck
Effective social-emotional-learning curricula are intentionally designed, tested, and rooted in the most recent field research.
Families & the Community
Opinion
How to Reengage Parents in Their Children's Schooling
A healthy partnership between families and schools involves both educators and parents helping each other do better.
School & District Management
Opinion
Custom-Built for Student-Athletes, This School Emphasizes Both
A private school that believes sports, academics, and personal development go hand-in-hand explains how they do it.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
Is the 'Medical Model' Right for Education Research?
It's far too tempting to treat education research like medical experiments.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
Can This 'Shark Tank'-Winning Platform Get Kids to Read?
Summer reading is always a big push for schools and communities. What tools are available to increase their success?
Families & the Community
Opinion
We Need to Recalibrate the Parent-Teacher Relationship
As students continue to grapple with learning loss, emotional trauma, and social isolation, both parents and educators need to help.
Teaching
Opinion
5 Tips for Reducing the Heat in Classroom Discussions
If students can’t learn from each other, across their differences, then we are just flooring the accelerator toward a more divisive future.