Skip to main content

Education

Analysis and reporting on America’s schools, from kindergarten to college.

Education
How Amazon could destroy college as we know itHow Amazon could destroy college as we know it
Education

It’s simple, really.

By Alexander Holt
Politics
It’s time to start taking Bernie Sanders seriouslyIt’s time to start taking Bernie Sanders seriously
Politics

And that means his campaign needs to start offering serious plans.

By Matthew Yglesias
Islamophobia isn’t new. It’s been part of my daily life for years.
Features

We drive up to the spot, and as soon as my brother kills the engine, we are surrounded by uniformed cops with drawn guns. One cop is telling my brother to get out of the driver’s seat with his hands up.

By Lamya H
Politics
Bernie Sanders thinks police should investigate campus rape. That’s not enough.Bernie Sanders thinks police should investigate campus rape. That’s not enough.
Politics

Colleges aren’t trying to sweep sexual assault under the rug. They’re doing what the law requires.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
5 maps that show how sex education in the US is failing5 maps that show how sex education in the US is failing
Politics

Sex ed is patchy at best.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
The economics of prettiness: more attractive women get higher gradesThe economics of prettiness: more attractive women get higher grades
Politics

More attractive women get higher grades — but only in person, not online.

By Libby Nelson
I made $1,000 an hour as an SAT tutor. My students did better without me.
Features

Many parents believe their child is a “bad tester.” The real problem is that the whole idea of a “bad tester” is bullshit.

By Anthony-James Green
Politics
Our 25 most social stories of 2015Our 25 most social stories of 2015
Politics

You “liked” these stories a lot. Now like them in aggregate!

By Matthew Yglesias
Education
The debate moderators missed the opportunity to ask about a real Democratic divideThe debate moderators missed the opportunity to ask about a real Democratic divide
Education

“Do you trust states to make the right decisions on education?”

By Libby Nelson
Politics
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders’ argument about college costs, explainedHillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders’ argument about college costs, explained
Politics

The debate about whether making tuition free is really progressive.

By Libby Nelson
Education
When a school assigned homework on Islam, it drew so many threats the district shut downWhen a school assigned homework on Islam, it drew so many threats the district shut down
Education

One parent argued that the teacher “gave up the Lord’s time and gave to Mohammed.”

By Libby Nelson
Education
Why a Christian college could fire a professor for expressing solidarity with MuslimsWhy a Christian college could fire a professor for expressing solidarity with Muslims
Education
Los Angeles school closures and bomb threat: what we knowLos Angeles school closures and bomb threat: what we know
Education

More than 900 schools closed abruptly after a bomb threat.

By Libby Nelson
Science
Science and math PhDs earn about $65,000 — more than double what arts majors doScience and math PhDs earn about $65,000 — more than double what arts majors do
Science

The journal Science published a study that examines the fate awaiting doctoral students in the United States — and the outcomes varied a lot.

By Julia Belluz
Education
How schools will be different without No Child Left BehindHow schools will be different without No Child Left Behind
Education

With a big new federal education law in effect, George W. Bush’s education law is gone.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
Chief Justice Roberts asked why diversity matters in a physics class. Here’s an answer.Chief Justice Roberts asked why diversity matters in a physics class. Here’s an answer.
Politics

Leading scientists say more diversity is crucial to increasing the number of minorities in math and science professions.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
Why Justice Scalia thinks affirmative action hurts black students, and why he’s wrongWhy Justice Scalia thinks affirmative action hurts black students, and why he’s wrong
Politics

The “mismatch” theory is popular among conservatives — but there’s little evidence behind it.

By Libby Nelson
Video
Re-reading is inefficient. Here are 5 tips for studying smarter.Re-reading is inefficient. Here are 5 tips for studying smarter.
Play
Video

Ask yourself question and draw diagrams to make information stick.

By Liz Scheltens and Joe Posner
Politics
Fisher v. Texas, the Supreme Court’s big affirmative action case, explainedFisher v. Texas, the Supreme Court’s big affirmative action case, explained
Politics

The Court just heard the case for the second time.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
Congress is getting rid of No Child Left Behind. Here’s what will replace it.Congress is getting rid of No Child Left Behind. Here’s what will replace it.
Politics

The first major education law in 14 years would roll back the power of the federal government.

By Libby Nelson
Education
Why a new ranking says the University of Colorado Denver is the best college in the USWhy a new ranking says the University of Colorado Denver is the best college in the US
Education

Its students earn better-than-expected salaries.

By Libby Nelson
Education
Why a major education bill in Congress calls for a pardon for a long-dead boxerWhy a major education bill in Congress calls for a pardon for a long-dead boxer
Education

Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world, was the victim of a racist conviction for a consensual interracial relationship.

By Libby Nelson
Technology
Google’s Chromebooks Make Up Half of U.S. Classroom DevicesGoogle’s Chromebooks Make Up Half of U.S. Classroom Devices
Technology

In schools, Chromebooks have leapfrogged Apple and Microsoft devices in just a few years.

By Harriet Taylor
Education
President of a college that won’t hire LGBTQ people: student protesters should “grow up”President of a college that won’t hire LGBTQ people: student protesters should “grow up”
Education

The president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s viral rant shows political correctness isn’t confined to the left.

By Libby Nelson
Technology
Google: No, We’re Not Snooping on Students With Our Chromebooks, AppsGoogle: No, We’re Not Snooping on Students With Our Chromebooks, Apps
Technology

Search giant pushes back against EFF allegations.

By Mark Bergen
Technology
Silicon Valley Urges Cal, CSU to Give Computer Science Full Credit in Admissions (Updated)Silicon Valley Urges Cal, CSU to Give Computer Science Full Credit in Admissions (Updated)
Technology

Twenty-seven states count computer science classes toward high school graduation. California doesn’t.

By Dawn Chmielewski
Education
The most important fact about student debt, explained in 2 mapsThe most important fact about student debt, explained in 2 maps
Education

The places with the most debt aren’t the places where people struggle to pay back their loans.

By Libby Nelson
Education
The University of Chicago canceled all classes after a threat of gun violenceThe University of Chicago canceled all classes after a threat of gun violence
Education

The FBI warned the university about a threat mentioning the campus quad at 10 am.

By Libby Nelson
Education
Stat check: Is 98% of research in humanities and 75% in social science never cited again?Stat check: Is 98% of research in humanities and 75% in social science never cited again?
Education

Those startling claims are based on an outdated, inaccurate study.

By Libby Nelson
Education
Why college protestors are telling the media to stay awayWhy college protestors are telling the media to stay away
Education

There’s no such thing as a local story anymore.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
Read Grover Cleveland’s eerily modern 1900 hot take on the value of collegeRead Grover Cleveland’s eerily modern 1900 hot take on the value of college
Politics

“Does a College Education Pay?”

By Dylan Matthews
Politics
Woodrow Wilson was extremely racist — even by the standards of his timeWoodrow Wilson was extremely racist — even by the standards of his time
Politics

He called black people “an ignorant and inferior race,” and it gets worse.

By Dylan Matthews
Education
Watch: An infuriating story about how school segregation works todayWatch: An infuriating story about how school segregation works today
Education

“These good people want to believe that the modern version of separate but equal isn’t nearly as terrible as that old Jim Crow version it replaced.”

By Libby Nelson
Technology
‘Re/code Decode’: Two Bit Circus Says Games Can Inspire a Generation of Engineers‘Re/code Decode’: Two Bit Circus Says Games Can Inspire a Generation of Engineers
Technology

Education is broken, Two Bit Circus CEO Brent Bushnell and CTO Eric Gradman say. Can a carnival fix it?

By Eric Johnson
Politics
Obama calls out liberal “dogmatism” on college campusesObama calls out liberal “dogmatism” on college campuses
Politics

“I don’t want you to think that a display of your strength is simply shutting other people up.”

By Libby Nelson
2016 Presidential Election
Hillary Clinton is planning a huge break with Obama on educationHillary Clinton is planning a huge break with Obama on education
2016 Presidential Election

She’s picked a side in the fight over education reform.

By Libby Nelson
Politics
Congress is closer than ever to getting rid of No Child Left BehindCongress is closer than ever to getting rid of No Child Left Behind
Politics

House and Senate negotiators have reached a deal on replacing the outdated law.

By Libby Nelson
Education
Colleges’ Yik Yak problem, explainedColleges’ Yik Yak problem, explained
Education

Colleges are supposed to deal with racial and sexual harassment. But what if it’s on a social media app?

By Libby Nelson
Education
David Geffen’s $100 million gift to UCLA is philanthropy at its absolute worstDavid Geffen’s $100 million gift to UCLA is philanthropy at its absolute worst
Education

The donation is bad, and he should feel bad.

By Dylan Matthews
Politics
Ted Cruz wants to close the Education Department. Here’s what could actually happen.Ted Cruz wants to close the Education Department. Here’s what could actually happen.
Politics

Ronald Reagan wanted to, too — but he didn’t succeed.

By Libby Nelson