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Mind the gap: 86% graduate in DC, 15% meet math standards
More students are completing high school, but fewer are prepared to learn a skilled trade or pass a college math class.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 132 min read


Vocational students see opportunities in eyesores: 'I could fix that up'
Voc-tech students in Baltimore are rebuilding vacant homes -- and their community.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 122 min read


Hooked on AI: What's the point of college?
AI can be a "fantastic" study partner, but most college students use it to work less and learn less.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 112 min read


AI is learning how to tutor -- but will students use it?
AI tutors aren't producing a "revolution in education," so far.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 102 min read


Why math professors choose chalk
Teaching math works better with chalk and chalkboards, say Stanford professors. It's slower.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 91 min read


Don't ask students to 'discover' math before they've learned fundamentals
Inquiry-first math teaching confuses students. Fluency comes first.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 92 min read


Education is fond of fads: If it feels good, fund it
Fads drive education. Research on what works is shaky, and consultants always have buzzy new ideas.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 82 min read


Chromebook remorse: Teachers relearn face-to-face teaching
Low-tech teaching shows who's confused and who's not paying attention. Students can't hide behind their screens.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 74 min read


Learning 'by heart' is valuable
Students should memorize and recite poetry. It will give them ownership of their culture -- and help think think.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 62 min read


Young and glum in the Anglosphere
Young people in English-speaking countries are increasingly unhappy, while the rest of the world is more cheerful.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 41 min read


Dual-credit soars in Chicago -- but college success does not
Will Chicago's dual-credit students be prepared to succeed in college?

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 33 min read


When disruption is normalized: What about the kids who want to learn?
Tolerating disruptive, dangerous students is unfair to their classmates and teachers.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 22 min read


Skip the smart kids
High achievers are bored and frustrated. Let them skip a grade.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 12 min read
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