Recent writing

New on the blog
Keep kids learning while school is out: Bring back “current events”
Saving the science of reading from becoming the next edu-fad
Saving the science of reading from becoming the next edu-fad
Ed reform’s lost decade: Twilight of the technocrats
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school

A nation that cannot agree whether its original flag is a symbol of pride or oppression is not one prepared to reach consensus on what its children should learn in school.

No apologies for “no excuses” charter schools
No apologies for “no excuses” charter schools

The greatest victory of anti-charter activists has been turning the charter school sector against its own most successful model.

The Lost Children of Hirsch: Will a fresh argument for content-rich curricula make a difference?
The Lost Children of Hirsch: Will a fresh argument for content-rich curricula make a difference?

The lack of curricular content in K-12 education has not gone unnoticed. It’s gone unaddressed.

How much knowledge is necessary for comprehension?
How much knowledge is necessary for comprehension?

Can we predict the point at which a lack of background knowledge and vocabulary is fatal to comprehension?

A Debate About Unschooling
A Debate About Unschooling

There will always be a role for adults and authority figures to guide us toward the valuable, the beautiful, and the enduring.

How to help students think critically
How to help students think critically

Critical thinking can be taught. But there are no shortcuts or workarounds

The Power of Positive Deviance
The Power of Positive Deviance

A Macarthur “genius” has a powerful plan to lift families from poverty. Will it work in education?

The Making of an Edu-Myth: The 30-Million-Word Gap Has Not Been “Debunked”
The Making of an Edu-Myth: The 30-Million-Word Gap Has Not Been “Debunked”

The language children hear at home from birth to four matters. A lot.

If Education Advocacy Were More Like Pharmaceutical Ads
If Education Advocacy Were More Like Pharmaceutical Ads

Everything we do in schools requires trade-offs and has potential side effects—some of which you might not like.

The Freedom to Teach Well
The Freedom to Teach Well

A golden opportunity is missed to demand better training and preparation.

Slouching Toward Aristocracy
Slouching Toward Aristocracy

Everything in education can and will be gamed by the affluent and privileged. Eliminating objective merit only makes it worse.

Cultivating gratitude is the first job of civics education
Cultivating gratitude is the first job of civics education

If our children do not feel invested in America, why would they work to improve it?

Using Kids as Political Props
Using Kids as Political Props

Here’s a handy rule of thumb. Don’t.

Florida’s Opportunity to Go Big or Go Home on School Choice
Florida’s Opportunity to Go Big or Go Home on School Choice

The political stars are in perfect alignment for the state’s Republicans.

Thinking about classroom practice: Five ideas for ed reformers
Thinking about classroom practice: Five ideas for ed reformers

Shifting education reform’s focus from policy to practice.

Which Candidate Would You Want Your Child’s School Named After?
Which Candidate Would You Want Your Child’s School Named After?

Don’t act like we’re drinking buddies. Act like you want us to name our kids’ schools after you.

Civics Education
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school

A nation that cannot agree whether its original flag is a symbol of pride or oppression is not one prepared to reach consensus on what its children should learn in school.

The Power of Positive Deviance
The Power of Positive Deviance

A Macarthur “genius” has a powerful plan to lift families from poverty. Will it work in education?

The Freedom to Teach Well
The Freedom to Teach Well

A golden opportunity is missed to demand better training and preparation.

Slouching Toward Aristocracy
Slouching Toward Aristocracy

Everything in education can and will be gamed by the affluent and privileged. Eliminating objective merit only makes it worse.

Cultivating gratitude is the first job of civics education
Cultivating gratitude is the first job of civics education

If our children do not feel invested in America, why would they work to improve it?

Using Kids as Political Props
Using Kids as Political Props

Here’s a handy rule of thumb. Don’t.

Which Candidate Would You Want Your Child’s School Named After?
Which Candidate Would You Want Your Child’s School Named After?

Don’t act like we’re drinking buddies. Act like you want us to name our kids’ schools after you.

Education Reform
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school

A nation that cannot agree whether its original flag is a symbol of pride or oppression is not one prepared to reach consensus on what its children should learn in school.

No apologies for “no excuses” charter schools
No apologies for “no excuses” charter schools

The greatest victory of anti-charter activists has been turning the charter school sector against its own most successful model.

The Power of Positive Deviance
The Power of Positive Deviance

A Macarthur “genius” has a powerful plan to lift families from poverty. Will it work in education?

If Education Advocacy Were More Like Pharmaceutical Ads
If Education Advocacy Were More Like Pharmaceutical Ads

Everything we do in schools requires trade-offs and has potential side effects—some of which you might not like.

The Freedom to Teach Well
The Freedom to Teach Well

A golden opportunity is missed to demand better training and preparation.

Slouching Toward Aristocracy
Slouching Toward Aristocracy

Everything in education can and will be gamed by the affluent and privileged. Eliminating objective merit only makes it worse.

Using Kids as Political Props
Using Kids as Political Props

Here’s a handy rule of thumb. Don’t.

Florida’s Opportunity to Go Big or Go Home on School Choice
Florida’s Opportunity to Go Big or Go Home on School Choice

The political stars are in perfect alignment for the state’s Republicans.

Thinking about classroom practice: Five ideas for ed reformers
Thinking about classroom practice: Five ideas for ed reformers

Shifting education reform’s focus from policy to practice.

Research
How to help students think critically
How to help students think critically

Critical thinking can be taught. But there are no shortcuts or workarounds

The Making of an Edu-Myth: The 30-Million-Word Gap Has Not Been “Debunked”
The Making of an Edu-Myth: The 30-Million-Word Gap Has Not Been “Debunked”

The language children hear at home from birth to four matters. A lot.

Cultivating gratitude is the first job of civics education
Cultivating gratitude is the first job of civics education

If our children do not feel invested in America, why would they work to improve it?

School Choice
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school
Colin Kaepernick and the death of the common school

A nation that cannot agree whether its original flag is a symbol of pride or oppression is not one prepared to reach consensus on what its children should learn in school.

No apologies for “no excuses” charter schools
No apologies for “no excuses” charter schools

The greatest victory of anti-charter activists has been turning the charter school sector against its own most successful model.

A Debate About Unschooling
A Debate About Unschooling

There will always be a role for adults and authority figures to guide us toward the valuable, the beautiful, and the enduring.

The Power of Positive Deviance
The Power of Positive Deviance

A Macarthur “genius” has a powerful plan to lift families from poverty. Will it work in education?

If Education Advocacy Were More Like Pharmaceutical Ads
If Education Advocacy Were More Like Pharmaceutical Ads

Everything we do in schools requires trade-offs and has potential side effects—some of which you might not like.

The Freedom to Teach Well
The Freedom to Teach Well

A golden opportunity is missed to demand better training and preparation.

Florida’s Opportunity to Go Big or Go Home on School Choice
Florida’s Opportunity to Go Big or Go Home on School Choice

The political stars are in perfect alignment for the state’s Republicans.