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 Choice & Charters
Opinion
Teachers Might Embrace Private School Choice. Here's Why
School choice is often discussed in terms of student impact. But what's in it for teachers?
Federal
Opinion
‘Budget Reconciliation’ Sounds Like Wonkspeak. But It Matters for Schools
It won’t enable the Trump administration to make cuts to K-12 programs or abolish the Ed. Department, but it will have other implications.
Federal
Opinion
Betsy DeVos Has Advice for the Next Secretary of Education
In an interview, Trump's first education secretary shares hard-won lessons from her tenure.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
2025 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.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
The 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings Unveiled
The rankings recognize the university-based scholars in the United States whose influence shaped educational practice and policy.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
The 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Scoring Formula
Rick Hess will unveil the 2025 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings tomorrow. Here is the methodology used to generate those rankings.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
What It Takes to Be an Effective Education Scholar
The 2025 RHSU Scholar Rankings will be released soon. How do the top scholars come by their influence?
Policy & Politics
Opinion
The 10 Most Popular RHSU Columns of 2024
Academic rigor, abolishing the Education Department, and finding common ground were all hot topics this year.
States
Opinion
The Age of 'Adulthood' Varies by State. This Matters for Your Students
States set different limits on when kids can do different things. What does this mean for education?
Federal
Opinion
No, the U.S. Ed. Dept. Won't Be Abolished. But Here's What’s Likely to Happen Instead
There are plenty of big changes ahead that could catch educators, advocates, and others by surprise.
Federal
Opinion
The Trump Administration Should 'Devolve the Ed Dept.'s Responsibilities to the States'
After six years helming the House ed. committee, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx cuts loose on high points and frustrations of her tenure.
Ed-Tech Policy
Opinion
How to Become an Ed-Tech Visionary Without Really Trying
Beware of PR grifters eager to turn education pros into A-list-worthy celebs. (And read the fine print.)
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Has Technology Been Bad for Reading and Learning?
Education technology is supposed to build knowledge. We need to wrestle with the possibility that it might not.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
Boys Don't Love to Read. Could This Former Teacher Be on to Something?
Boys are falling behind in reading. Books with military-history themes may help reverse this trend.