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.
Artificial Intelligence
Opinion
AI in K–12: A New Year Reality Check for School Leaders
AI is a boon in later grades, less so in K-5, argues author and educator Michael Horn.
Artificial Intelligence
Opinion
This Professor Won the ‘Nobel for Education.’ Here's What His Work Means for Educators
What skills do students need to make sense of complex systems in the age of AI?
Policy & Politics
Opinion
Who Tops Their Field in the 2026 RHSU Edu-Scholar Rankings?
A scholar's rank within a discipline may be more telling than their place in the overall rankings.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
Who Are the Nation's Top Education Scholars?
The RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings recognize researchers who shape practice and policy.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
The 2026 RHSU Edu-Scholar Public Influence Scoring Formula
Rick Hess unveils the 2026 RHSU Edu-Scholar rankings tomorrow. Here's his methodology.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
What It Takes to Be an Effective Education Scholar
The 2026 RHSU Scholar Rankings will be released soon. How do the top researchers attain influence?
Federal
Opinion
Rick Hess' Top 10 Hits of 2025
In a year full of education news, what cut through the noise?
Teaching Profession
Opinion
After 30 Years as a Teacher, He Became an Interviewer on YouTube. Here's Why
He’s interviewed Nobel laureates, National Book Award winners, and influential education thinkers.
Policy & Politics
Opinion
Standing Up to Education Groupthink
Why is it so hard to push back on popular ideas in education, even when it’s sorely needed?
School & District Management
Opinion
Have Politics Hijacked Education Policy?
School boards should be held more accountable to student learning, says this scholar.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
Should States Mandate Student Testing for Choice Programs?
There are pros and cons to forcing state tests on private schools receiving tax dollars.
School & District Management
Opinion
The Difference Between 'Solving a Problem' and 'Changing Patterns' in Schools
Advice on getting new habits to stick.
Federal
Opinion
Can School Reform Be Bipartisan Again?
In a world dominated by social media, is there room for a more serious education debate?
School & District Management
Opinion
Lessons From a 'Vetted' Superintendent's Fall From Grace
The temptation to chase the "new new thing" has big costs for schooling.