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.
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.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
More Than 12 Million Students Have Used This New Study Aid. What’s the Deal?
There is a near-constant stream of new ed-tech tools. What makes this one unique?
Assessment
Opinion
To Replace Skill Mastery for Seat Time, There Are 3 Requirements
Time for learning and student support take on a whole new meaning in the mastery-based learning model.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
2024 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence: Top 10 Lists
Where scholars rank within their discipline may be more telling than where they are in the overall rankings.