Educate

Introducing: Sold a Story Oct 20, 2022

Emily Hanford introduces the first episode of her new podcast, Sold a Story.

There's an idea about how children learn to read that's held sway in schools for more than a generation — even though it was proven wrong by cognitive scientists decades ago. Teaching methods based on this idea can make it harder for children to learn how to read. In this podcast, Hanford investigates the influential authors who promote this idea and the company that sells their work. It's an exposé of how educators came to believe in something that isn't true and are now reckoning with the consequences — children harmed, money wasted, an education system upended.

Subscribe: soldastory.org

No Excuses: Race and Reckoning at a Chicago Charter School Aug 09, 2022

Producer DJ Cashmere spent seven years teaching Black and brown students at a Noble Street charter high school in Chicago. At the time, Noble followed a popular model called "no excuses." Its schools required strict discipline but promised low-income students a better shot at college. After DJ left the classroom to become a journalist, Noble disavowed its own policies — calling them "assimilationist, patriarchal, white supremacist, and anti-black." In this hour, DJ, who is white, revisits his old school as it tries to reinvent itself as an anti-racist institution. And he seeks out his former students to ask them how they felt about being on the receiving end of all that education reform, and what they think now about the time they spent in his classroom.

Standing in Two Worlds BONUS episode Aug 04, 2022

Camille Leihulu Slagle is Native Hawaiian. She always knew she wanted to go away for college. Education would help her afford to stay in her homeland. Life in the islands is expensive. Camille wants to give back to her people through science, studying the volcanoes central to Hawaiʻi's landscape and culture.

Audio documentary: Standing in Two Worlds

Standing in Two Worlds: Native American College Diaries Aug 02, 2022

Native American students are just a tiny fraction of all the college students in the United States. They come with different histories, confronting an education system once used to erase their languages and cultures. In this project, three Indigenous college students tell how they are using higher education to strengthen ties to their Native roots and support their people.

Photos: See portraits of the students in this documentary

Under Pressure: The College Mental Health Crisis Aug 19, 2021

Even before the pandemic, campus counselling services were reporting a marked uptick in the number of students with anxiety, clinical depression and other serious psychiatric problems. What is a college’s responsibility for helping students navigate mental health challenges, and how well are colleges rising to the task?

Fading Beacon: Why America is Losing International Students Aug 03, 2021

Colleges and universities in the United States attract more than a million international students a year. Higher education is one of America’s top service exports, generating $42 billion in revenue. But the money spigot is closing. The pandemic, visa restrictions, rising tuition and a perception of poor safety in America have driven new international student enrollment down by a jaw-dropping 72 percent.

Who wants to be a teacher? Episode 4: This very leaky pipeline Jul 28, 2021

Today, more Black and Hispanic teachers enter the classroom through alternative pathways than through traditional teacher degree programs. The number of teachers of color in the United States has more than doubled since the 1980s in large part due to the growing number of preparation and certification pathways and recruitment efforts from the federal level down. But there's a catch: Many of these teachers won’t stay for long, further undermining efforts to get diversity in the teacher labor force to reflect the diversity of students in the United States.

Learn more: Who wants to be a teacher?

Who wants to be a teacher? Episode 3: The trouble with grading teachers Jul 28, 2021

Critics of the rise in alternative and for-profit programs will claim teacher quality, and student learning, suffers when people are fast-tracked into the classroom without comprehensive training. But it’s hard to know for certain whether that’s true. The problem is, despite decades of trying, we haven’t agreed on how to measure teacher quality. There’s a lot of research that shows having a good teacher makes a huge difference in the outcomes of students, but it’s much less clear what makes a teacher good.

Learn more: Who wants to be a teacher?

Who wants to be a teacher? Episode 2: The rise of the for-profit teacher training industry Jul 28, 2021

Beginning in the early 1980s, a lot of states began to open up the pathways to becoming a teacher. People who already had a bachelor’s degree in something else didn’t need to go back to college to get trained in teaching. Policymakers hoped this would solve teacher shortages by getting more people into the profession, but it’s also opened up a whole new business model in educator preparation: Online for-profit teacher training programs have proliferated, and they’re growing fast. One program in Texas has become the single largest educator preparation program in the United States by enrollment, and it’s expanding into other states.

Learn more: Who wants to be a teacher?

Who wants to be a teacher? Episode 1: The teacher emergency Jul 28, 2021

Every president since Eisenhower has talked about the need for more teachers, especially in certain rural and urban schools, and in subjects such as math and science. For decades, policies have been made and laws changed in order to recruit and train more and more teachers. But research shows we’ve been looking at the problem wrong, and that these efforts haven’t solved teacher shortages at all, but have created an oversize labor force with less training, less experience and high rates of turnover.

Learn more: Who wants to be a teacher?

Black at Mizzou: Confronting race on campus Aug 14, 2020

Lauren Brown says college was "culture shock." Most of the students at her high school were Black, but most of the students at the University of Missouri were white. And she got to the university in the fall of 2015, when Black students led protests in response to a string of racist incidents. The protests put Mizzou in the national news.

But the news stories didn't match what Lauren saw. They made it seem like racism on campus was an aberration. And they made it seem like Black student organizing was new at Mizzou. What Lauren saw was "Black Mizzou," a thriving campus-within-a-campus that Black students have built over decades to make the university a more welcoming place.

What the Words Say Aug 06, 2020

Everyone agrees that the goal of reading instruction is for children to understand what they read. The question is: how does a little kid get there? Emily Hanford explores what reading scientists have figured out about how reading comprehension works and why poverty and race can affect a child’s reading development. Read the full story.

Covid on Campus Jul 29, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic represents the greatest challenge to American higher education in decades. Some small regional colleges that were already struggling won’t survive. Other schools, large and small, are rethinking how to offer an education while keeping people safe.

This program explores how institutions are handling the crisis, and how students are trying to navigate a major disruption in their college years.

Colleges on the brink

The long tradition of students attending small, residential liberal arts colleges around the country was already shaky before the pandemic. Students are choosing less expensive options and more practical degrees. Experts warn that 10 percent of American colleges — about 200 or more institutions — are on the verge of going under. The pandemic is accelerating that trend.

A digital divide

The pandemic is making getting through college harder for students on the wrong side of the digital divide. In rural Arizona, when campuses closed, some students couldn’t log on from home, because they had no access to the internet. A local sheriff flew laptops and hotspots to community college students on the Navajo Nation.

Reopening in a virus hotspot

Colleges and universities are under pressure to reopen, but bringing students back on campus safely means dealing with dizzying logistics. As the virus surges in Miami, a large commuter campus gets ready.

Same Pandemic, Unequal Education (from Us & Them podcast) May 30, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has left West Virginia schools particularly hard hit. The Us & Them podcast from West Virginia Public Radio brings us stories of teachers grappling with virtual classes for students who don't have access to the internet and how schools are trying, still, to keep kids fed.

Facing uncertain futures, high school seniors weigh tough college options and alternate paths May 14, 2020

Editor-in-chief of The Hechinger Report, Liz Willen, shares what she's heard from high school seniors who are feeling anxious and overwhelmed as they face pandemic-fueled challenges.

Listeners tell us how they're adapting to at-home education May 07, 2020

Teachers, students and families talk about how they've adapted while schools and campuses stay closed.

Is learning to read a constitutional right? Apr 30, 2020

A federal court recently ruled that underfunded schools in Detroit violated students' right to a basic education. Advocates hope the case is the beginning of a trend.

A few silver linings emerge in a dark time of closed schools Apr 23, 2020

Delece Smith-Barrow of The Hechinger Report shares some hopeful stories about education during the pandemic.

'Everything has changed': A look at K-12 education under coronavirus Apr 16, 2020

Sarah Garland of The Hechinger Report on how (and whether) education carries on while schools are closed.

College in the time of coronavirus Apr 09, 2020

A conversation with Hechinger Report higher education editor Jon Marcus on how learning and the college experience are changing, and what's yet to come.

What good is a history major? Apr 02, 2020

As fewer college students opt to major in history, there's an effort by history departments to prove the practical value of their discipline.

Graduation rate for Native students surges at the University of Minnesota Mar 26, 2020

The percentage of Native students graduating from the U of M has doubled in the past decade.

Black girl, white college Mar 19, 2020

When it was time for me to enroll in a four-year college, I chose North Dakota State, a school that's mostly white, conservative and insular -- everything I wasn't. It was the hardest year of my life.

College administrators struggle with whether to close their classrooms in response to COVID-19 Mar 14, 2020

Some students say they want campuses to remain open.

A conundrum for student advocates: change their school or change society? Mar 12, 2020

Unlike protesters at many universities, activists at Harvard seek social justice reforms beyond campus.

At some HBCUs, enrollment rises from surprising applicants Mar 05, 2020

After decades of declining enrollment, HBCUs are seeing an uptick in new applicants, especially among Latino and international students.

With more students demanding action on climate change, teachers try to keep up Feb 27, 2020

Most states and districts have adopted science standards that require teaching climate change. Teachers are left to get up to speed and help students understand the impacts.

Reading update: Experts say widely used reading curriculum is failing kids Jan 27, 2020

A first of its kind review finds Lucy Calkins' materials don't align with the science of reading.

New salvos in the battles over reading instruction Dec 20, 2019

Several powerful people and organizations have weighed in on the national conversation prompted by APM Reports' podcast episodes.

National assessment shows more K-12 students struggling to read Nov 01, 2019

Correspondent Emily Hanford talks about the latest NAEP results and what they say about the state of reading instruction in the U.S.

A conversation with Emily Hanford on reading instruction in the U.S. Oct 24, 2019

Hanford talks about her reporting on what's wrong with how schools teach reading.

Ditching the lecture for active learning Sep 19, 2019

There's a growing movement at colleges and universities to create classrooms where students take the lead.

How colleges are mishandling racial tensions on campus Sep 12, 2019

As administrators navigate issues of inclusion and free speech, students of color have been left to find their own way.

As colleges navigate inclusion and free speech, students of color work to find their own way Sep 12, 2019

Do administrators have to choose between protecting free speech and creating a civil climate on campus?

Flagship universities don't reflect their state's diversity Sep 05, 2019

Across the country, a gap persists between the number of black and Latino students graduating from state high schools and the number enrolling in state flagship schools.

The Bond Buster Aug 29, 2019

Paul Dorr is a master of tactics to defeat referendums intended to finance public schools. He believes schools run by government steer kids away from Christianity. His campaigns — most of them in the Midwest — have also created lingering bitterness within communities.

At a Loss for Words: What's wrong with how schools teach reading Aug 22, 2019

For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't know there's anything wrong with it.

Students on the Move: Keeping uprooted kids in school Aug 14, 2019

A growing body of research finds that repeatedly uprooted children are more likely to struggle in school and more likely to drop out. But there are ways to help them succeed.

Under a Watchful Eye: How colleges are tracking students to boost graduation Aug 06, 2019

At Georgia State in Atlanta, more students are graduating, and the school credits its use of predictive analytics. But critics worry that the algorithms may be invading students' privacy and reinforcing racial inequities.

Tens of thousands of dollars later, most college grads say the degree was worth it Mar 11, 2019

A recent survey from the APM Research Lab found most Americans think college is worth the cost.

Majority of Americans don't know that government has cut billions from higher education funding Feb 25, 2019

A survey from the APM Research Lab shows that many people think funding has increased or stayed the same.

U.S. continues to slip behind other countries in percentage of population with degrees Jan 28, 2019

A lack of highly skilled workers leaves American employers unable to fill jobs.

Oklahoma charter school becomes lightning rod in debate over rural education Dec 17, 2018

A businessman struggling to recruit employees opened the school despite objections from the local school board.

Hundreds of thousands of people could lose their legal status. One hopes to graduate with his college degree first Dec 03, 2018

If the Trump administration has its way, Jose would be forced from the U.S. just a few months before graduation.

Despite decades of pledging to hire more black faculty, most universities didn't Nov 05, 2018

The number of black faculty on college campuses has gone down during the last decade.

As they lose customers, universities try expanding the menu Oct 22, 2018

Colleges nationwide have added more than 40,000 new degree and certificate programs in last six years, but are they better serving students?

In the fight over Kavanaugh, echoes of a battle being waged on college campuses nationwide Oct 08, 2018

Across the country, schools wrestle with how sexual assault is defined and how much proof is needed.

Poverty, perseverance and a PhD Sep 24, 2018

An elite university helped her climb but changing class can be a lonely journey.

Hard Words: Why Aren't Our Kids Being Taught to Read? Sep 10, 2018

Scientific research has shown how children learn to read and how they should be taught. But many educators don't know the science and, in some cases, actively resist it. As a result, millions of kids are being set up to fail.

Old Idea, New Economy: Rediscovering Apprenticeships Sep 03, 2018

You might think apprenticeships are a relic from an earlier era, but a growing number of Americans are using them as a way into the middle class.

Still Rising: First-Generation College Students a Decade Later Aug 27, 2018

They bet that college would help them move up. Did it pay off?

Changing Class: Are Colleges Helping Americans Move Up? Aug 20, 2018

Colleges have long offered a pathway to success for just about anyone. But new research shows that with the country growing ever more economically divided, colleges are not doing enough to help students from poor families achieve the American Dream.

School on the move Aug 13, 2018

A little-known program has been helping the children of migrant farmworkers graduate for more than 50 years.

Edged out of the middle class, teachers are walking out Jul 30, 2018

Dissatisfied with low pay and school funding, teachers in more red states are poised to protest.

State financial aid money dries up before many low-income college students get help Jul 16, 2018

Last year, almost a million students who qualified for state financial aid didn't get it.

Louisiana ends policy that held thousands of students back a grade or more Jun 15, 2018

Students held back were at high risk of dropping out.

Liberal arts face uncertain future at nation's universities Jun 04, 2018

Programs are being cut to make way for degrees with "clear career pathways."

Giving parents more freedom to choose doesn't guarantee better schools May 21, 2018

Other countries offer clues about how effective nationwide school choice would be in the U.S.

'I never want to be in a neighborhood where I'm shot at again' May 07, 2018

A first-generation college graduate reflects on moving up America's class ladder.

Are America's colleges promoting social mobility? Apr 23, 2018

Economists dig into the data to understand which schools are doing the most to help revive the American Dream.

Schools prove soft targets for hackers Apr 09, 2018

Cybersecurity is a growing concern as schools collect an increasing amount of data on students.

High schools push few students with disabilities to consider college Mar 26, 2018

Most students with disabilities can make it to and through college, but are hindered by low expectations.

Is the trauma of training for a school shooter worth it? Mar 12, 2018

Most American students practice "active shooter" drills in school. Fewer than one in a million of them will need it.

A college degree, or your money back Feb 26, 2018

A growing number of colleges and universities are guaranteeing a job after graduation.

Overwhelmed by student debt, many low-income students drop out Feb 12, 2018

Almost a third of Americans who take out loans to pay for college don't get a degree.

High school football makes a comeback in New Orleans Jan 29, 2018

Charter schools cut football to win minds. Now to win hearts, they're bringing it back.

Nearly 1 in 5 female college students are single moms Jan 15, 2018

Struggling to juggle school, work and child care, most of them won't make it to graduation.

History of civil rights movement gets short shrift in Mississippi classrooms Dec 18, 2017

Despite efforts to require lessons on civil rights, outdated textbooks indicate little has changed.

Rural students are the least likely to go to college Dec 04, 2017

They're being ignored as the nation tries to ramp up degree completion.

Yoga and dogs bring calm to school for troubled kids Nov 20, 2017

The doors are locked at this special ed school in Minneapolis so no one runs away. It's a surprising place to find kids doing breathing exercises.

Some prisons trying to maintain college education Nov 06, 2017

It's one of the best defenses against recidivism, but investment is lacking.

Mr. Rodriguez is undocumented and unafraid Oct 23, 2017

Teachers with DACA serving low-income, immigrant communities could be tough to replace.

Resegregation in Alabama Oct 09, 2017

When predominantly white cities secede from larger districts, it has a segregating effect.

How alumni revived a dying college Sep 25, 2017

As small private colleges struggle to survive, we look at one that almost didn't make it.

Shadow Class: College Dreamers in Trump's America Sep 11, 2017

President Trump is ending DACA, which allowed some 800,000 undocumented young people to stay and work in the United States. For some, that may mean the end of a dream of going to college. This program profiles DACA students and their opponents and examines a key court case and political forces that led to this moment.

Hard to Read: How American schools fail kids with dyslexia Sep 11, 2017

Public schools are denying children with dyslexia proper treatment and often failing to identify them in the first place.

Shackled Legacy: Universities and the Slave Trade Sep 04, 2017

Profits from slavery and related industries helped build some of the most prestigious schools in New England. This documentary focuses on three universities -- Harvard, Georgetown and the University of Virginia -- as they grapple with a deeply troubling chapter in their vaunted histories.

Keeping Teachers Aug 28, 2017

There may be nothing more important in the educational life of a child than having effective teachers. But the United States is struggling to attract and keep teachers.

'The oldest not-18-year-old' Aug 07, 2017

A descendant of slaves sold to save Georgetown University in 1838 will be a member of this year's freshman class — at age 63.

Segregation's Back Jul 21, 2017

People who lived through the desegregation era see their former schools fall back into segregation.

What children in food deserts do during the summer Jul 10, 2017

There are millions of kids in America who the USDA considers "food insecure" -- they live in households without regular access to nutritious food. For them, school feeding programs are essential.

When a diploma means more than just 'seat time' Jun 26, 2017

A state law says Maine high school students have to prove they have mastered specific skills to get a diploma.

College is a leap of faith - and funds - for first-generation students Jun 12, 2017

At a public charter school in Boston, students spend years preparing to go to college. But paying for it is another story.

'All they wanted to do was get an education' May 30, 2017

Thirty-five years ago, four immigrant families won a landmark Supreme Court case that protects the rights of children in the United States to attend public schools, whether they have papers or not.

Making room for poor kids at rich schools May 16, 2017

A new study shows selective colleges could bring in many more talented low-income students. So why don't they?

A public school that's just for immigrants May 02, 2017

English learners are the least likely to graduate from high school when compared to other groups of students. There's a new high school in Bowling Green, Kentucky, that's trying to help new immigrant students beat the odds.

Is free college free? Apr 18, 2017

New York's new scholarship promises free college, for a price.

Kids with dyslexia are not getting what they need in American public schools Apr 04, 2017

A mother and her dyslexic daughter tell their story. It's a preview of an upcoming documentary from APM Reports.

Immigration enforcement has DACA students on edge Mar 21, 2017

Collision over college dreams for undocumented students.

Improving the odds for young black men Mar 07, 2017

Can the excitement about My Brother's Keeper last now that Obama's out of office?

Protecting the legacy of HBCUs Mar 02, 2017

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently called HBCUs "real pioneers of school choice." We thought this would be a good time to revisit our documentary, "The Living Legacy: Black Colleges in the 21st Century."

Reforming School Discipline Feb 17, 2017

If suspensions don't work, what does?

The great equalizer Feb 09, 2017

Are we asking too much of America's high-poverty schools?

'Dick and Jane were not my friends' Feb 02, 2017

There are proven techniques to help children with learning disabilities, but can affected kids get what they need in public schools?

The View From Room 205 Jan 26, 2017

One reporter chronicles a neighborhood school in need of the American dream.

Chinese students ponder Trump Jan 19, 2017

How much will anti-immigrant rhetoric dissuade foreigners from studying in the United States?

What Betsy DeVos might bring to the Department of Education Jan 12, 2017

The nominee for secretary of education has a long history of funding school-choice efforts and charter schools in Michigan.

High achievers left behind Jan 05, 2017

In a system that prioritizes struggling students, what happens to everybody else?

Detroit students sue for better school conditions Dec 22, 2016

The suit claims Michigan is denying Detroit students their fundamental right to literacy.

School confronts trauma in students' lives Dec 16, 2016

Adversity isn't destiny at a "trauma-informed" school in Minnesota.

Offering sanctuary to vulnerable students Dec 08, 2016

An immigration law scholar says colleges have no business declaring their campuses "sanctuaries" for undocumented students.

Keeping black teachers Dec 01, 2016

Why African American teachers are leaving the profession faster than they're entering it.

Fear, uncertainty for undocumented students under Trump administration Nov 17, 2016

Since 2012, many undocumented young people have been protected from the threat of deportation. With a new president, that may change.

College-educated and out-of-touch Nov 10, 2016

Donald Trump's win was a surprise to many in the college-educated elite. Should it have been?

Election leaves undocumented students in limbo Nov 03, 2016

The next president could end temporary protections for undocumented college students.

Clinton and Trump don't talk much about education Oct 27, 2016

Education has hardly been mentioned in the presidential debates. We look at where the candidates stand.

The stress of racism may impact learning Oct 20, 2016

A new study finds that black and Latino students who experience racism have higher levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress, and one that is known to impact focus and learning.

Talking about race in schools Oct 13, 2016

Can children as young as 4 learn to have meaningful dialogues about race?

Schools give low-income students a chance to travel abroad Oct 07, 2016

Some in education think providing travel opportunities can reduce the gap in how well some groups of students perform in school.

What a flipped classroom looks like Sep 29, 2016

In a flipped classroom, students watch or listen to lectures on their own, then spend class time working on projects.

A new study finds school readiness gaps have declined over the past decade Sep 23, 2016

What does it look like to be ready for school?

How thousands of kids were denied special education in Texas Sep 15, 2016

Strap on your cowboy boots: A new investigation by the Houston Chronicle finds that Texas has denied special education services to thousands of kids in the state.

Rewriting the Sentence: College Behind Bars Sep 08, 2016

After an abrupt reversal 20 years ago, some prisons and colleges try to maintain college education for prisoners.

What It Takes: Chasing Graduation at High-Poverty High Schools Sep 01, 2016

The nation's high school graduation rate is at an all-time high, but high-poverty schools face a stubborn challenge. Schools in Miami and Pasadena are trying to do things differently.

Spare the Rod: Reforming School Discipline Aug 25, 2016

A get-tough attitude prevailed among educators in the 1980s and 1990s, but research shows that zero-tolerance policies don't make schools safer and lead to disproportionate discipline for students of color.

Stuck at Square One: The Remedial Education Trap Aug 18, 2016

A system meant to give college students a better shot at succeeding is actually getting in the way of many, costing them time and money and taking a particular toll on students of color.

Hungry hungry students Aug 11, 2016

When was the last time you ate? In one survey, 7 percent of college students said they went an entire day without eating.

What is restorative justice? Aug 04, 2016

Students of color are twice as likely to be suspended as white kids. So schools are turning to an alternative called restorative justice.

A homeless student struggles towards graduation Jul 28, 2016

We follow a homeless student as she fights to graduate from high school.

The facts and fictions of student debt Jul 21, 2016

A student debt crisis in America? We break down the myths and realities of student debt.

Race in suburban schools Jul 14, 2016

The suburbs are no longer just white picket fences and green manicured lawns. They're diversifying. So what does that mean for suburban schools?

Going to college in prison Jul 07, 2016

A prison education advocate shares his experience in prison and talks about his work spreading college to others.

Few teachers, little money, low test scores: Rural schools in the South Jun 30, 2016

The South is famous for its bayous, BBQ, and bourbon. It's less well known for its rural education. Our guest tells us why.

Merging small, rural school districts Jun 23, 2016

Small, rural schools around the country are closing. Our guest says that could actually be a good thing.

Fighting for ‘our school’ Jun 17, 2016

What's the role of a school in a rural town? We begin our series on rural schools by looking at a state where the fight has been particularly fierce: Vermont.

How do we learn better: digital or print? Jun 09, 2016

Do you understand facts better online or in print? New research has massive implications for teaching in the 21st century.

Theological schools feel the squeeze Jun 02, 2016

Theological schools are straining for cash as they suffer from drops in enrollment over the past few years. Our guest tells us how they are dealing with it.

The ‘invisible tax’ on teachers of color May 26, 2016

Our guest says the so-called 'invisible tax' on teachers of color leads to burnout at a time when teachers of color are already leaving the profession more quickly than their white colleagues.

Should colleges teach men how to be men? May 05, 2016

Should colleges have men's studies majors or men's resource centers? Our guest this week tells us that male college students would get better grades if they rejected stereotypes of hyper-masculinity.

‘My frain is bried’: shadowing a student Apr 28, 2016

"Welcome to our world." Educators take an entire school day to shadow a student and walk in their shoes. We find out how it went for one teacher.

High school job prep Apr 21, 2016

Want a job? So does every student ever! Maybe career and technical education classes are the way to go. Shaun Dougherty says you could be more likely to graduate and earn more if you do.

How tutoring helps students Apr 14, 2016

Private tutoring is no longer just for the rich kids. Our guest tells us how the individual attention improves student learning and graduation rates.

Is advanced math necessary? Apr 07, 2016

In our last episode, Andrew Hacker argued that math courses like algebra are unnecessary for most high schoolers. This week's guest couldn't disagree more.

Decoding the math myth Mar 31, 2016

Politicians and economists say people need advanced math skills to be successful in the highly technical jobs of the 21st century. But the author of a new book says that's just not true.

Writing discipline reform into law Mar 24, 2016

We're working on a documentary that explores the backlash against harsh school discipline practices across the country. This week we talk about state laws that seek to push back against the "zero tolerance" policies of the past.

The science gap starts early Mar 17, 2016

A new study shows that what a child knows about science in kindergarten can strongly predict how he or she scores on an eighth-grade science test.

Minnesota’s graduation gap Mar 10, 2016

Minnesota has a reputation for having great public education. But if you're Hispanic, black, Asian-American or Native American, your chances of completing high school are worse in Minnesota than in almost any other state.

A brief history of school discipline Mar 03, 2016

Research shows suspensions aren't effective at changing kids' behavior. And kids of color are more likely to get kicked out than white kids. This week, we examine the history of harsh discipline in school.

Colleges want smart AND nice Feb 25, 2016

The college application process has come under scrutiny in a new report by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. It recommends that schools ask students to demonstrate they're making a civic contribution to their local communities, even if that means taking fewer AP courses.

What students in remedial english can teach us about K-12 education Feb 18, 2016

Nearly two-thirds of all students who enroll in community college are not "college-ready" in math and/or English. This week we hear from a remedial writing teacher who says many of his students have been traumatized by past K-12 educational experiences.

Making sure learning sticks Feb 12, 2016

If you want to really learn something before a big test, put your books down. Research shows that the traditional method of "cramming" for an exam by reading the same thing over and over again, doesn't work. (Rerun from Oct. 2014)

When school vouchers are not a leg up Feb 04, 2016

School voucher programs are controversial because they allow students to use public funds to pay for private school. A new paper is one of the first to show a school voucher program actually lowering student test scores.

Learning financial literacy Jan 28, 2016

Most teenagers are not learning about personal finance in school, according to an annual survey on financial literacy. Our guest this week says that needs to change.

Questioning inequalities in higher ed Jan 21, 2016

College was once considered the path of upward mobility in this country, and for many people, it still is. But research shows that the higher education system can actually work against poor and minority students, because they often end up at colleges with few resources and low graduation rates.

Learning as a science Jan 15, 2016

What does research say about how students learn best? A group of deans from schools of education around the country has united to make sure future teachers are armed with information about what works in the classroom.

Where are the student voices in ed reform? Jan 07, 2016

A growing coalition of young people claims that student voices are largely missing from discussions of education reform.

Most likely to succeed Dec 24, 2015

In most modern work places employees are expected to be self-directed and also work collaboratively. But do conventional public schools do enough to encourage creative and critical thinking?

Siblings and the education gender gap Dec 17, 2015

The gender gap in education disproportionately affects poor children. New research looks at siblings to find out why boys born into poverty are less likely to succeed than girls.

Where budding chefs learn philosophy, too Dec 10, 2015

Despite what you may have heard about the death of the liberal arts, leaders of one of the nation's top cooking schools, and one of the most prominent military academies say courses in subjects like English, history and philosophy are are key to preparing their students for the professional world.

Letting kids fail Dec 03, 2015

A few years ago, writer Jessica Lahey started noticing something troubling about many of her students: they were afraid of making mistakes in the classroom. She writes about this in her new book, "The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed."

Inside school discipline in Mississippi Nov 25, 2015

Policymakers and community leaders have started to question traditional forms of school discipline like detention, suspension and expulsion because research shows that children who are suspended are more likely to drop out of school and end up in jail. And what’s more, children who are racial minorities are more likely to be suspended and expelled than their white classmates.

Some districts are ending out-of-school suspensions all together in favor of policies that consider why children are acting out and help correct misbehavior. But when a school lacks resources it may be hard to replace traditional school discipline with sensible alternatives.

Eli Hagervisited a part of the country that is known for widespread poverty and troubled schools. Mississippi is one of the four states where some schools still use corporal punishment to keep kids in line. Hager recently wrote an article for the Marshall Project is called “When School Feels Like Jail.” For this week’s podcast, he spoke with ARW associate producer Suzanne Pekow.

Building bridges between the Western and Arab worlds Nov 19, 2015

There’s clearly a gulf of understanding between the Western and Arab worlds. A group called Bridges of Understanding wants to change that by helping middle and high school students in the United States talk with their peers in the Middle East and North Africa through video conferences.

Inside Oyler: a conversation with Amy Scott Nov 11, 2015

Residents of Lower Price Hill in Cincinnati decided to turn a troubled neighborhood school into a community learning center, in hopes of battling urban poverty and crime. A new documentary follows the first year of the Oyler School transformation.

Learning to breathe Oct 29, 2015

Can mindfulness reduce children's behavior and emotional challenges in school? That's what one district in Rockland County, N.Y. tried to find out.

Is the growth mindset craze overblown? Oct 22, 2015

Last week on the podcast, we ran a story about “growth mindset,” an incredibly popular educational concept having to do with motivation and self-esteem. But some people believe the craze over mindset is overblown. This week we hear from a critic.

Helping students adopt a ‘growth mindset’ Oct 15, 2015

When students are struggling to find an answer in school, it’s tempting for teachers to want to jump in and help them right away. But research shows that a little struggle - or even a little failure - can be good for students to learn how overcome challenges.

The rising cost of extracurriculars Oct 08, 2015

Sports have long been an avenue for low-income students to get scholarships to college, but that might not be an option if the cost of after-school sports and activities continues to rise.

Wikipedia’s bum rap Oct 01, 2015

Wikipedia has gotten a lot of flak over the years for being inaccurate and untrustworthy. But in 2010, Wikimedia, the global movement behind Wikipedia, began recruiting professors from major U.S. universities to assign the work of editing Wikipedia articles to their students.

A visit from the Church Lady Sep 25, 2015

Back in the 1960s, the Supreme Court declared it was unconstitutional for public schools to sponsor organized prayer and bible readings, but today there are still groups who say religious lessons belong in public school programs.

Teaching black lives matter Sep 17, 2015

In November, a new social studies book about the Black Lives Matter movement will be available for middle school and high school students nationwide. While no one has had a chance to read the book yet, the idea is stirring controversy and curiosity.

Beyond the Blackboard: Building Character in Public Schools Sep 10, 2015

This documentary explores the "Expeditionary Learning" approach, traces the history of ideas that led to its inception, and investigates what American schools could learn from its success.

From Boots to Books: Student Veterans and the New GI Bill Sep 03, 2015

The longest war in American history is drawing to a close. Now, the men and women who served are coming home, and many hope to use higher education to build new, better lives.

Teaching Teachers Aug 27, 2015

Research shows good teaching makes a big difference in how much kids learn. But the United States lacks an effective system for training new teachers or helping them get better once they're on the job.

The Living Legacy: Black Colleges in the 21st Century Aug 20, 2015

Before the civil rights movement, African Americans were largely barred from white-dominated institutions of higher education. And so black Americans, and their white supporters, founded their own schools, which came to be known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

From the Archives: Early Lessons Aug 07, 2015

Head Start got its start 50 years ago. Our documentary, "Early Lessons," by Emily Hanford, profiles the program that inspired the creation of Head Start.

Goodbye, College Ratings (For Now) Jul 30, 2015

The Obama administration recently declared that it would no longer pursue a college ratings system based on accessibility, affordability and student success. And college presidents everywhere breathed a sigh of relief.

Sweet Briar Returns Jul 23, 2015

Sweet Briar College was about to close after struggling with dwindling enrollment and other problems. An alumni group raised more than 20 million dollars in pledges to keep the doors open, but the school's survival is still deeply in doubt.

The Future of Historically Black Colleges Jul 15, 2015

Historically Black Colleges and Universities proliferated throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when many white schools refused to admit African Americans, especially in the South. Our guest this week feels HBCUs still serve a crucial role in higher education.

Talking About Race in Schools Jul 07, 2015

Over the past year, race relations have dominated the news cycle. This can bring up difficult questions, especially for parents and teachers. Our guest Yolanda Moses says Americans need to find more ways to talk about race in schools.

Minorities and Special Ed Jul 02, 2015

For years policy makers believed that minorities were overrepresented in special education and that there was inherent bias in the way kids were being identified as disabled. A new study turns this idea on its head.

Learning from Video Games Jun 23, 2015

A lot of parents worry about whether their kids' video game habits are harmful - especially when gaming gets in the way of homework or reading. But writer Greg Toppo says gaming can be a great way to learn.

Teaching the Birds and the Bees Jun 17, 2015

For more than a century, Americans have been arguing about how to teach children about the birds and the bees in public schools. A new book argues that for all the fuss about sex education in America, students get precious little of it.

What can Japan teach us about teaching? Jun 11, 2015

Coming up this fall we'll be releasing a documentary about teacher preparation - how people learn to become teachers and how they get better once they're in the classroom. This week: how do Japanese teachers learn to improve on the job?

Million-Dollar Teacher Jun 02, 2015

When Nancie Atwell was growing up, she never thought she’d go to college, let alone become an award-winning teacher. But a few months ago, Atwell received a $1-million-dollar global prize for her decades of teaching English and literacy skills to elementary and middle schoolers.

Divestment on Campus May 28, 2015

Across the world, college students are urging their institutions to “divest” from fossil fuels. This week we ask: is the divestment movement working?

Can how you move change how you think? May 20, 2015

Scientists have long thought of the brain as a “control center” for the body – a kind of computer that dictates how we move. But what if how we walk and stand and gesture could actually change how we think?

Forest Schools May 12, 2015

What if one day a week, school was in the woods? On the podcast, Emily Hanford takes us to Vermont to understand why teachers wanted to take their students into the forest, and what the kids -- and the teachers -- are learning from it.

Exposing Conditions at Native Schools May 06, 2015

There are 183 federally-run Bureau of Indian Education schools in the nation, and about a third of these are in poor condition. Some students at BIE schools deal with poorly-insulated classrooms, holes in the roof, rodents, and other issues on a daily basis.

Green Teachers Apr 29, 2015

A generation ago, if you walked into an American classroom, you’d likely find a veteran teacher who'd been on the job for 15 years or more. Today you're more likely to find a brand-new teacher – someone who's been the job for a year or less.

The First Gen Movement Apr 22, 2015

Over the past decade many elite colleges have taken great strides to admit low-income students, but there are unanticipated financial and cultural barriers to fitting in on campus that can’t easily be solved by merely giving students a foot in the door. Questions of class differences have spurred a nationwide movement of “first generation” student clubs on college campuses.

The Lost Children of Katrina Apr 15, 2015

In the year following Hurricane Katrina, 30 percent of displaced children were either not enrolled in school or not attending regularly. Today, Louisiana has the nation’s highest rate of young adults who are neither in school nor working. And researchers are starting to ask: could the widespread gaps in schooling after Katrina be the reason?

Saving a Women’s College from Closure Apr 08, 2015

Last month the board of Sweet Briar College announced that the school will shut its doors at the end of this term, due to financial difficulties. The announcement was made abruptly, sending the campus community into a state of shock... and then activism.

The Future of College Apr 01, 2015

Kevin Carey's book "The End of College" is stirring up debate in higher ed circles. This week, a response to the book by a critic.

The End of College or the University of Everywhere Mar 25, 2015

When education policy wonk Kevin Carey looks into the future, he sees the end of traditional colleges and universities and he says that's a good thing.

UnRetirement Mar 18, 2015

Today older Americans are heading back to school in record numbers. Many have already started a career, but want to gain knowledge or skills that can make them more competitive in the workplace. Colleges and universities are grappling with the needs of a changing population of students.

The Test Mar 11, 2015

In her new book,“The Test: Why Our Schools are Obsessed with Standardized Testing–But You Don’t Have to Be,” NPR Education Blogger Anya Kamenetz examines the role testing plays in American public education.

An Administrator Responds to Adjunct Protests Mar 04, 2015

Last week, we talked about growing dissent among adjunct college instructors who claim they’re not getting compensated fairly for the work they do. This week we’ll hear from someone who has dealt with this issue from the administration side.

Adjuncts Unite Feb 25, 2015

What would higher education look like without adjunct professors? That’s what a grass-roots group of academics is trying to prove by holding a National Adjunct Walk-out Day on February 25.

To Test or Not to Test? Feb 19, 2015

Sometime in the next few weeks, Senate Republicans and Democrats will vote to reauthorize The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. On the podcast this week, we talk to two education advocates who differ on how and when we should test our kids.

Looking back: An Imperfect Revolution Feb 11, 2015

In June 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down school desegregation plans that look at students’ race. This week on the podcast, we’re featuring our 2007 documentary, “An Imperfect Revolution: Voices from the Desegregation Era,"

Are HBCUs the Key to Producing More African American Physicians? Feb 04, 2015

We talk to a Dallas doctor who thinks HBCUs may be the best pathways for African Americans interested in careers in medicine.

Boosting Black Male Student Achievement Jan 28, 2015

The Minneapolis Public School District created an Office of Black Male Student Achievement earlier this year. One goal of the office is to help young African American men graduate from high school in greater numbers.

Free Community College for All Jan 22, 2015

President Barack Obama wants to make the first two years of community college free for what he calls “responsible students” who are “willing to work for it.” It’s being called “America’s College Promise.” This week on the podcast we examine the prospect of free community college for all.

What’s in a number? Jan 14, 2015

Our guest this week has a message for high school seniors and their parents who are poring over the latest college rankings lists: Put ‘em down.

Following the Money in Education Philanthropy Jan 05, 2015

Philanthropic foundations have been giving money to public education for years. But our guest this week argues that philanthropies are increasingly pushing specific educational agendas.

Rising prices on the poorest Dec 16, 2014

In January 2014 nearly a hundred college presidents gathered at the White House for a summit on the rising cost of college. But data show that those same institutions have been raising their prices fastest for the poorest students than for wealthier ones. This week on the podcast, we talk to a reporter who has been following the rising college cost burden on poor families.

How Much Will College Cost My Family? Dec 08, 2014

In 2011 the federal government required colleges and universities to publish “net price calculators” on their web sites. These tools are supposed to help families figure out which colleges they can afford. The calculators take into account family income, number of kids in college, state of residency, and other factors. But they’re often hard to use and time-consuming. Our guest this week has made this process simpler and more accessible.

Bridging the “Middle Skills” Gap Dec 01, 2014

There’s a paradox in today’s job market: even though there are millions of people looking for work, employers say they can’t find enough qualified workers. That’s due to an abundance of what economists call “middle skills” jobs – jobs that require specialized training beyond high school, but not a four-year college degree.

Academic Fraud and College Athletics Nov 24, 2014

Last month the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill released a report that showed evidence of nearly two decades of academic fraud perpetuated by the school’s Afro-American Studies Department. An investigation found certain professors and administrators had an unwritten policy of “propping up” student athletes. This week on the podcast, we look at academic fraud at colleges with high-stakes sports programs.

The Utility of a PhD Nov 17, 2014

Humanities professors at colleges and universities are re-thinking what it means to offer a PhD. The old model is proving unsustainable. It takes an average nine years to get a doctorate, but less than 60 percent of PhDs are finding tenure-track teaching jobs. This week, we look at a new report recommending academics view doctoral programs in a new light.

How to help students hope Oct 27, 2014

A polling expert finds students less engaged with school as they get older. Brandon Busteed from Gallup Education says if schools taught to strengths instead of weaknesses, more students would be successful in school and in life.

What teachers need Oct 14, 2014

Education correspondent Emily Hanford talks with author Elizabeth Green about her new book, Building a Better Teacher: How Teaching Works (and How to Teach It to Everyone).

Intelligence is achievable and other lessons from The Teacher Wars Oct 07, 2014

Education correspondent Emily Hanford continues her conversation with Dana Goldstein, author of The Teacher Wars.

Teaching: The most embattled profession Oct 01, 2014

Education correspondent Emily Hanford talks with bestselling author Dana Goldstein about her new book, The Teacher Wars.

Video games: New literacy for a complex world Sep 24, 2014

Author James Paul Gee says video games are problems to solve that come with their own tools. He says they're like "an external mind," and teachers should use them in classrooms.

Ed researchers: Colleges can do more for students, especially in a bad economy Sep 18, 2014

College is worth the investment. College graduates can't find good jobs. Student loan debt keeps rising, and now tops a trillion dollars. What can be done?

Ready to Work: Reviving Vocational Ed Sep 11, 2014

Vocational education was once a staple of American schooling, preparing some kids for blue-collar futures while others were put on a path to college. Many experts say it's time to bring back career and technical education.

The New Face of College Sep 04, 2014

Just 20 percent of college-goers fit the stereotype of being young, single, full-time students who finish a degree in four years. College students today are more likely to be older, part-time, working, and low-income than they were three decades ago.

Greater Expectations: The Challenge of the Common Core Aug 28, 2014

The United States is in the midst of a huge education reform. The Common Core State Standards are a new set of expectations for what students should learn each year in school.

The Science of Smart Aug 21, 2014

Researchers have long been searching for better ways to learn. In recent decades, experts working in cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience have opened new windows into how the brain works, and how we can learn to learn better.

Reinventing college for a new kind of student Aug 04, 2014

Long-predicted demographic changes mean a new kind of student is figuring out where to go to college, and how to pay for it.

Is school funding fair? Jul 29, 2014

A new report looks at why some schools have a lot of money to spend per pupil, while others don't, and what to do about it.

Who Needs College? Jul 22, 2014

In May Stephen Smith was invited to be on a panel in Minneapolis that focused on the value of higher education. The panel answered questions such as: Who needs college?

Unionizing Adjuncts Jul 15, 2014

A growing number of adjunct faculty at colleges and universities across the country are voting to unionize. Data from the Department of Education show a tremendous move toward using these so-called contingent teachers in all types of post-secondary institutions over the last 40 years.

Kids and Data Mining Jul 08, 2014

The government wants to collect data on America's children. And that has parents across the country more than a little nervous.

Inside the Common Core: Math Jul 01, 2014

The second of a series on what's inside the Common Core State Standards. Last week we heard about the English Language Arts and Literacy portion; this week we talk to one of the lead authors of the standards for mathematics.

Inside the Common Core: ELA Jun 24, 2014

What do children need to know in school to be prepared for the future? That's the question that drives a new set of national learning standards called the Common Core.This week: inside the standards for English Language Arts/Literacy.

Military-Friendly Campuses Jun 17, 2014

Members of the military and their spouses face more challenges than traditional students when it comes to getting a college degree. Their studies are often interrupted by deployments, transfer among bases, or because they can't attend college full-time. A new network aims to help.

Is Coding Fundamental? Jun 10, 2014

Next fall, dozens of school districts nationwide will offer new computer coding classes. Advocates say computer programming is a fundamental kind of literacy, but critics argue the movement is a power play by tech companies who want schools to invest in their products.

Sexual Assault on Campus Jun 03, 2014

This spring, the Obama administration announced it was joining the effort to hold colleges and universities more accountable for sexual assaults on campus. We talk to a survivor and activist who filed a complaint against Yale when she was an undergraduate there in 2011.

The Education Gender Gap May 27, 2014

A new report says middle-schoolers who get Bs and Cs are less likely to finish college than their peers who get As. And because more girls get As, girls are more likely than boys not only to go to college, but to graduate.

College Bang for the Buck May 20, 2014

For decades young people have been told that college is the path to prosperity. And research bears that out. But with the high cost of college tuition and fees, is a degree still worth it?

The Kalamazoo Promise May 13, 2014

In 2005, a group of philanthropists decided to fund a scholarship program for public high school graduates in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The idea is that more college graduates would strengthen the economy and the community of this small Midwestern city. Nine years later, is the Kalamazoo Promise working?

Degrees of Inequality May 06, 2014

Higher education has long been an engine of social mobility in this country. But today's college choices may actually be widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

Navigating the Financial Aid System Apr 29, 2014

Spring is the time of year when college acceptance letters start landing in the mailboxes - and inboxes - of high school seniors across the country. It's also the time of year when many students will have to figure out how they will be able to pay for college, and as WGBH's Kirk Carapezza reports, that can be a daunting prospect.

Yes We Must Apr 22, 2014

A new majority of students going to college are low-income, Hispanic or African-American, and from the southern or western United States. They are also older than so-called traditional students. The recently-formed Yes We Must Coalition aims to shine a light on colleges that have been serving this new majority for a long time.

School Counseling Crisis Apr 15, 2014

California schools have an average of 1,000 students for every guidance counselor. The American School Counselor Association recommends a ratio of 250 students to one. But as public school budgets shrink, counseling programs get cut, and that forces counselors across the country to take on bigger case loads.

Problem-Solving Skills and Jobs Apr 08, 2014

A new international survey of 15-year-olds shows students in the United States are pretty good problem solvers. The Organization for […]

Holding Online Schools Accountable Apr 01, 2014

A new survey shows online K-12 schools under-performing brick-and-mortar schools. Recommendations include specialized teacher training for virtual instruction and more […]

Don’t Wake a Sleeping Teenager Mar 25, 2014

Neuroscience research says teenagers don’t just like to sleep; they need to sleep. A new CDC study suggests early high […]

The Attainment Agenda Mar 18, 2014

A new book says success for low-income college students should be a national priority. There’s no G.I. Bill or Higher […]

The SAT Gets Revamped Mar 11, 2014

The College Board announced last week that it’s going to redesign the SAT exam by spring 2016. Will a new […]

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Struggle to Compete Mar 04, 2014

Until the end of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and early ’70s, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) […]

Remaking Education Feb 25, 2014

A new paper says teachers shouldn’t be held accountable in a system that fails students. It suggests ways to take […]

Snow Days and Test Scores Feb 18, 2014

Snow days have been plentiful in 2014. What impact do they have on student test scores? Guest: Joshua Goodman, Professor […]

Helping Community College Students Graduate Feb 11, 2014

About half of all college students in the United States go to community colleges and only a third of those […]

Can Teach for America Keep Its Promise? Feb 04, 2014

Teach for America wants to close the achievement gap by sending future leaders to some of the nation’s toughest schools. […]

Does Teach for America Need Reforming? Jan 28, 2014

A new study says Teach for American may be more costly than valuable. Guest: Julian Vasquez Heilig, Professor of Education, […]

Improving Teacher Ed Jan 21, 2014

Many schools of education are awful, experts say. A new system for accrediting teaching colleges may add rigor and improve […]

A Conservative Defends Common Core Jan 14, 2014

Conservative and liberal activists across the country are speaking out against Common Core State Standards. But Michael Petrilli, who works […]

This College Breaks the Mold Jan 07, 2014

At Quest University in Canada, there are no departments, no majors and no faculty ranks. Classes are co-taught by a […]

Talking to Baby Dec 31, 2013

Research shows the more words babies hear, the better they do in school. The achievement gap starts early; now so […]

Invent to Learn Dec 24, 2013

Many educators say the best way to learn is by combining what you learn in school with real-world practice and […]

College Un-Affordability Dec 17, 2013

The cost of college keeps going up. But family earnings are staying the same. This is leading to an unsustainable […]

The United States gets a “C” Dec 10, 2013

The results are in from academic tests of 15-year-olds in 65 countries and regions. PISA shows Finland slipping, Vietnam doing […]

Competency-Based Education Dec 03, 2013

At most colleges, a degree is based on “seat time.” But economists argue that the number of college grads is […]

College in High School Nov 26, 2013

It’s not just Advanced Placement any more. A new trend is for students taking college classes for college credit while […]

Measuring School Improvement Nov 19, 2013

A new study finds that the emphasis on accountability since No Child Left Behind may be harming students, not helping […]

Grouping Kids by Ability: Drawbacks Nov 12, 2013

Grouping students by ability has become more prevalent since No Child Left Behind. But does academic “sorting” hurt low-performing students? […]

Grouping Kids by Ability: Benefits Nov 05, 2013

Is academic tracking good for our kids? New research shows gains in test scores when students are sorted by their […]

Trey Kay’s “The Long Game: Texas’ Ongoing Battle for the Direction of the Classroom” Oct 29, 2013

In November Texas plans to adopt new science textbooks which will be used in classrooms there for the next decade. […]

Adult Literacy Around the World Oct 22, 2013

A new global survey shows that American adults scored below average in literacy and math skills, even though they’ve gone […]

James Meredith’s Education Mission Oct 15, 2013

In 1962, James Meredith launched a one-man crusade to integrate the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss. Today, […]

Smartest Kids in the World Oct 08, 2013

Kids in some other countries learn more at school than American students do. A new book says that’s about what […]

What Good Are Field Trips Oct 01, 2013

Tight budgets and more emphasis on test scores mean fewer field trips. New research shows how and why field trips […]

Crossing Class Sep 24, 2013

The Ivy League isn’t on the radar for most poor students. Travis Reginal defied the odds, and is now a […]

Delve into Deeper Learning Sep 17, 2013

Author of key report says students need both knowledge and know-how; content and the skills to apply it. Guest: Jim […]

Second-Chance Diploma: Examining the GED Sep 01, 2013

Most test-takers hope the GED will lead to a better job or more education. But critics say the GED encourages some students to drop out of school. And research shows the credential is of little value to most people who get one.

Teaching to Each Aug 20, 2013

Our guest says teachers must meet students where they are, even if that’s 40 different places. Guest: Carol Ann Tomlinson, […]

The Sweet Spot of Learning Aug 13, 2013

Kids are naturally curious, but not naturally good thinkers.How personalized learning may help them learn to think. Guest: Daniel Willingham, […]

Pitfalls of the Common Core Aug 06, 2013

A supporter-turned-critic of the Common Core says the new standards may hurt more than they help. Guest: Carol Burris, New […]

One Child at a Time: Custom Learning in the Digital Age Aug 01, 2013

Learning with a personal tutor is one of the oldest and best ways to learn. Hiring a tutor for every student was never a realistic option. Now, new computer programs can customize education for each child.

Common Core Explained Jul 30, 2013

The Common Core State Standards will tell educators what to expect of students, but not what or how to teach. […]

Achievement Gap Among States Jul 23, 2013

Why do students in some states do better than students in others? A new report says the gap in state […]

What to Teach Jul 16, 2013

The Core Knowledge Foundation says the Common Core State Standards will help schools know what to measure, but not necessarily […]

Exercise for the Brain Jul 09, 2013

Physical activity is good for learning. Yet many schools cut back on gym class and even cracking down on fidgeting. […]

The Cost of College Jun 28, 2013

With tuition rising and debt mounting, author Jeffrey Selingo helps parents and students do the math for college. Guest: Jeffrey […]

New Grad School for Teachers Jun 21, 2013

A new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality says most graduate schools of education don’t prepare teachers for […]

The Disruption of Blended Learning Jun 14, 2013

How online tools may change classrooms today and forever. Guest: Heather Staker, Christensen Institute

Learning to Excel Jun 07, 2013

Students are capable of excellent work. Some schools insist on it. Guest: Ron Berger, chief academic officer at Expeditionary Learning

Achievement Gap: For Richer or Poorer May 31, 2013

How family income may cause disparities in school achievement, and what to do about it. Guest: Sean Reardon, professor of […]

The Case for Choice and Charters May 24, 2013

A controversial principal with a compelling personal story on why tough love is what students need and teachers’ unions are […]

Anti-Pigeonhole Plan May 17, 2013

New research shows how classroom teachers may be able to combat the impact of stereotype threat and help close the […]

Teachers Training Teachers May 10, 2013

How one exemplary school district does professional development despite lean times. Long Beach, Calif. has become a national model by […]

Affirmative Action: Against May 03, 2013

Why college admissions should be colorblind. The U.S. Supreme Court will soon rule on the latest affirmative action case. Last […]

Affirmative Action: For Apr 26, 2013

Why being colorblind is a fine aspiration and a dangerous policy. The U.S. Supreme Court will soon rule on another […]

After Atlanta: More or Less Cheating? Apr 19, 2013

A key analyst during the Atlanta cheating scandal tells us what can be done about cheating as Common Core standards […]

Rethinking Pell Grants Apr 12, 2013

Pell Grants have been helping low-income students go to college for 50 years. A new report recommends changing the way […]

Happy Teachers Apr 05, 2013

A new poll finds that American teachers lead the most satisfied lives, second only to physicians. What’s making our overworked, […]

MOOC Recruiting Mar 29, 2013

There’s a talent war for computer engineers in Silicon Valley. That’s why MOOCs are getting in the head hunting game, […]

New GED Coming Mar 22, 2013

In January of 2014, the GED exam is going digital, and it’s going to be harder to pass. This adult […]

Employers Want More From College Grads Mar 15, 2013

According to a new survey of employers, American colleges don’t produce enough qualified graduates for today’s workforce. Among the complaints: […]

Education Sequestration Mar 08, 2013

As the nation braces for cuts to federal programs under sequestration, a top education reporter describes how this new era […]

Financial Ed and the Common Core Mar 01, 2013

If students learn about personal finance in grade school, they’ll be more responsible spenders as adults. So goes the thinking […]

Project-Based Learning Feb 22, 2013

A high school English teacher in Michigan says making videos of Shakespeare plays is better for students than memorizing facts […]

Beating the Odds Feb 15, 2013

We met Tracy Edwards last year during our reporting at the YES Prep charter school network in Houston, Texas. Unlike […]

Need-Based Aid Feb 08, 2013

Most private schools give out aid packages based on merit, often trying to compete for students from wealthy families who […]

Mississippi Charter Debate Feb 01, 2013

Mississippi legislators recently passed legislation that would allow charter schools in the state for the first time. In the Mississippi […]

The Decline of Catholic Education Jan 25, 2013

For much of the 20th century, a Catholic education was often a relatively inexpensive, higher-quality alternative to inner-city public schools. […]

Testing Teachers Reprise Jan 18, 2013

Teacher quality was in the news again last week with a PBS documentary about former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee […]

Merit Badges for Veterans Jan 11, 2013

Veterans who enter the workforce often have a tough time translating their military experience to “resume-ready” skills. But a new […]

Pre-K in OK Jan 04, 2013

Oklahoma is one of the most politically conservative states in the nation and it’s also home to one of the […]

eBay for Professors Dec 28, 2012

Ever heard of the self-employed college professor? Thanks to the efforts of the for-profit education company Straighter Line, some professors […]

School Safety Dec 21, 2012

According to the U.S. Department of Education, schools are actually safer than they’ve been in decades – which makes the […]

Popularity Dec 14, 2012

It turns out being popular in high school could actually be important later in life. New research from the University […]

Diverse Schools Dec 07, 2012

In the 1960s “white flight” sent many middle-class families from the cities to suburbs out of fear that the quality […]

Goodbye to Cursive Nov 30, 2012

Since handwriting is becoming less important in modern life, teaching cursive is going out of style in American schools. But […]

The Real Digital Divide Nov 23, 2012

For a long time it was assumed that a “digital divide” existed between rich kids and poor kids. But emerging […]

Tuition by Major Nov 16, 2012

Florida governor Rick Scott is proposing a tiered pricing plan for the state’s colleges and universities that would cut tuition […]

The Military and the GED Nov 09, 2012

The GED test was created to help returning World War Two veterans who hadn’t graduated from high school have an […]

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