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
How One State Is Talking About School Improvement
The country's longest-serving state schools chief addresses what's changed in the field of education during her tenure.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
The 10 Favorite Rick Hess Straight Up Posts of 2023
High-dosage tutoring, teacher pay, artificial intelligence. Those are among the most popular or impactful posts of the year.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
High School Students: Beware of College Career Centers
College career offices aren’t equipped to help students get jobs after graduation. How can high schools help?
School & District Management
Opinion
When It Comes to Schooling, Everyone Thinks They Have the Answer
If you realize they think you're wrong, you've got a shot at understanding and persuading them.
School & District Management
Opinion
What It Takes to Reinvent High School
How can district leaders launch innovative and successful schools?
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Should Classroom Discipline Be Based in ‘Restorative Justice’?
Discipline often divides conservatives and liberals. Is there room for common ground?
Student Achievement
Opinion
Who Better to Serve as Tutors Than Teachers? Here's One Way It's Being Done
As schools struggle to address learning loss, absenteeism, and staffing, outside organizations are working to fill in.
Student Achievement
Opinion
Grade Inflation Teaches Students We Don't Mean What We Say
Education leaders need to stand up for rigor, and they need to support classroom teachers who are committed to putting that into practice.
Standards & Accountability
Opinion
What’s Wrong With Online Credit Recovery? This Teacher Will Tell You
The “whatever it takes” approach to increasing graduation rates ends up deflating the value of a diploma.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
Can a Network of Tiny, Teacher-Led Montessoris Spread Like Wildflowers?
Do the strengths of this school network hold lessons for traditional public schools?
School & District Management
Opinion
When Should School Leaders Address Controversies Like the Israel-Hamas War?
We need places committed to cultivating discussion, promoting understanding, and helping sort fact from fiction. Schools can provide that.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Am I Anti-Equity? You Decide
The push for equity has taken us into territory where "pro-equity" ideologues are doing destructive things in the education space.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
To Help Students, One Company Has Unlocked $100 Million a Year in College Aid
A peer-based mentoring organization encourages high school seniors to apply to college and helps them receive financial aid.
Teaching
Opinion
What Socrates Can Teach Us About K-12 Instruction Today
The Socratic method, like every “learning strategy,” depends on the skill with which it’s employed.