The End of Men, in 1870
In 1790, U.S. men were about twice as likely as U.S. women to be literate. But by 1870, girls were surpassing boys in public schools.
The “Parenting Tax” of School Choice
The framework of school choice imposes a kind of tax, one paid in the time and effort that it imposes on many black parents.
Why Playing Superhero Is Good for Kids
It's hard to know how to respond to imaginative play that looks violent. Some experts say it's best to go ahead and let little kids play superhero anyway.
Teaching Race at School
Shaken by Nazi propaganda, educators tried to teach anti-racist lessons in the 30s-40s. Their methods, however, would be considered very problematic today.
When Teachers Stopped Beating Kids
Corporal punishment of students largely fell out of favor in the early 19th century. The preferred new system used prizes to encourage good behavior.
Are Students Just Telling Us What We Want to Hear?
Students tend to fill out end-of-year evaluations so as to describe a “narrative of progress.” For teachers, this is fast food of the mind.
The 1910 Report That Disadvantaged Minority Doctors
A century ago, the Flexner Report led to the closure of 75% of U.S. medical schools. It still explains a lot about today’s unequal access to healthcare.
The Case for Race-Conscious Affirmative Action
Minority students in racially isolated schools have drastically less access to critical educational resources.
Affirmative Action: Foundations and Key Concepts
This non-exhaustive reading list discusses the origins of affirmative action, the question of race vs. class, and the effects of meritocracy.
What Makes a Fair College Admissions Process?
In the wake of the college admissions scandal, scholars go back to the drawing board to answer this most central question.