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.
Federal
Opinion
'Jargon' and 'Fads': Departing IES Chief on State of Ed. Research
Better writing, timelier publication, and more focused research centers can help improve the field, Mark Schneider says.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
What Do Leading Edu-Scholars Think About DEI, Reading, and Research?
An informal survey of the 2024 RHSU Edu-Scholars reveals vast differences in their perspectives.
Federal
Opinion
Student Literacy Rates Are Concerning. How Can We Turn This Around?
The ranking Republican senator on the education committee wants to hear from educators and families about making improvements.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
School Sports Matter. How to Make Them Matter More
The skills we hope sports will teach are the very ones that help produce successful graduates and responsible citizens.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
How Bad Journalism Encourages Bad Education Research
Favorable accounts of lackluster studies corrode the credibility of both researchers and reporters.
Student Achievement
Opinion
This Nonprofit Runs the Nation’s 3 Largest Tutoring Programs. Here's What It's Learned
Post-pandemic, tutoring is all the rage. How can it be done well?
Student Achievement
Opinion
Traditional Grading May Not Be as Straightforward as It Seems
It can demotivate students, reflect inaccurate learning, and be biased against slower learners, argues an equitable grading advocate.
Student Achievement
Opinion
Chronic Absenteeism Could Be the Biggest Problem Facing Schools Right Now
If we are serious about overcoming learning loss, chronic absenteeism should be our first priority.
Families & the Community
Opinion
Chronic Absenteeism Has Exploded. What Can Schools Do?
The key to addressing this issue is rebuilding the relationship between families and schools.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
Scholars’ Writing Is Often Unclear. Why That Matters for the K-12 Field
Academic writing is often incomprehensible. Public-facing writing can help scholars break bad habits.
Teaching
Opinion
How to Facilitate Student-Centered Instruction: One Nonprofit Leader Shares Lessons
Most educators want rigorous, differentiated, student-centered classrooms. The trick is actually creating them.
Student Achievement
Opinion
What Many Advocates—and Critics—Get Wrong About 'Equitable Grading'
Traditional grading encompasses more than academic performance. Is that what we want?
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
What's the State of Charter Schools Today?
Even though there's momentum behind the charter school movement, charters face many of the same challenges as traditional public schools.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
What Should Schools Do to Boost Teacher Pay?
Hiking teacher pay is one issue that both progressives and conservatives can get behind.