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Opinion Blog


Rick Hess Straight Up

Education policy maven Rick Hess of the think tank offers straight talk on matters of policy, politics, research, and reform. Read more from this blog.

Education policy maven Rick Hess of the 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 °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳. Follow Rick on Twitter at .

The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
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.
Rick Hess, December 17, 2024
2 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
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?
Rick Hess, December 12, 2024
8 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
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.
Rick Hess, December 10, 2024
5 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
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.
Rick Hess, December 3, 2024
8 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
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.)
Rick Hess, November 25, 2024
4 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
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.
Rick Hess, November 21, 2024
7 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
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.
Rick Hess, November 19, 2024
7 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Policy & Politics Opinion Trump's Win Is a Wake-Up Call for Educators. Here's Why
Following the election, those in and around K-12 should reflect shared values and turn down the heat.
Rick Hess, November 12, 2024
12 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Federal Opinion What's Really at Stake for Education in This Election?
What a Harris or Trump presidential victory might mean for federal education policy, according to Rick Hess.
Rick Hess, November 4, 2024
5 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Assessment Opinion 'Academic Rigor Is in Decline.' A College Professor Reflects on AP Scores
The College Board’s new tack on AP scoring means fewer students are prepared for college.
Rick Hess, October 31, 2024
4 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
School Climate & Safety Opinion Restorative Justice, the Classroom, and Policy: Can We Resolve the Tension?
Student discipline is one area where school culture and the rules don't always line up.
Rick Hess, October 29, 2024
8 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
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Student Well-Being Opinion Can Athletic Coaches Help Students Learn More in the Classroom?
School sports can provide an opportunity for mentorship.
Rick Hess, October 22, 2024
8 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion The Fight Over DEI Continues. Can We Find Common Ground?
Polarizing discussion topics in education can spark a vicious cycle of blame. Is it possible to come to a mutual understanding?
Rick Hess, October 16, 2024
7 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Equity & Diversity Opinion How Can Educators Strike a Healthy Balance on Diversity and Inclusion?
DEI advocates and opponents both have good points—and both can go too far.
Rick Hess, October 15, 2024
6 min read