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.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
The Perils of Narrow Training in Education Research
When I talk to doctoral students in education policy, I'm frequently struck by how little time they tell me they spend reading, thinking, or talking broadly about education.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
Four Hard Questions That Will Dictate the Future of Career and Technical Education
Tony Bennett, the former state superintendent of Indiana and Florida, shares four practical questions that help gauge whether today's embrace of CTE is serious.
Education
Opinion
A Timeless, Timely Challenge to Schools at 9/11's Anniversary
In a popular novel, Joe Klein once explained the need for greater civility and respect in society. It's a plea that's especially relevant for schools as we remember the tragedy of September 11.
Education
Opinion
Straight Up Conversation: Roxanna Elden on Her New Book Adequate Yearly Progress
Today, I chat with Roxanna Elden about her new book Adequate Yearly Progress: A Novel and about what she learned from writing education-focused fiction.
Teaching
Opinion
10 Questions for Educators to Chew On
These questions can help parents get a read on school culture and values. But just as importantly, these questions can help educators think deeply about how they want their schools to work.
Education
Opinion
How High School Work-Study Fosters Civic Purpose
Cristo Rey students routinely work outside of school, which bolsters their ties to the community and provides a sense of civic purpose, as explained by guest blogger Brendan Bell.
Social Studies
Opinion
The Art of Disagreement in Social Studies Class
These three teaching methods for social studies classes can help students learn how to disagree well, according to guest blogger Brendan Bell.
Education
Opinion
4 Tensions in Civics Education
There are still a handful of conversations that states, schools, and practitioners will need to have about how to effectively implement civics instruction. Guest blogger Brendan Bell lays out four key tensions for leaders and practitioners to weigh.
Education
Opinion
Five Questions About Data Use for School Leaders
If principals can't answer these five questions about data use, they've got a problem. Guest blogger Anna Egalite encourages school leaders to take charge of their data this school year.
Education
Opinion
School Leaders Can Help Reduce Minority Teacher Turnover
Teacher turnover and shortages are challenges that the entire education field faces, but these challenges are especially acute for teachers of color. Guest bloggers Anna Egalite and Constance Lindsay discuss how school leaders can address these issues.
Education
Opinion
Three Questions About Education Leadership Research
The data don't yet exist to answer the most pressing questions about the relationship between principal preparation and leadership effectiveness. NC State's Anna Egalite and Tim Drake hope that's about to change.
Education
Opinion
The Importance of Charter-District Collaboration
Mayors, district superintendents, and charter leaders need to collaborate visibly and authentically to build a better future in our classrooms, cities, and nation, says guest blogger Rich Buery.
Education
Opinion
3 Ways to Make Higher Education More Equitable
By focusing on informational transparency, college affordability, and bold innovation, guest blogger Richard Buery says we can make higher education more equitable.
Education
Opinion
Match Matters in Higher Education
College match is especially important for low-income and minority students, writes KIPP's chief of policy and public affairs, kicking off a week of guest blogging.