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History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

Hot Topics

HNN Hot Topics: Education Reform


Clockwise from top: Michelle Rhee, former DC schools chancellor and school reform advocate (Credit: Ira Harris); Students at DREAM Charter School in New York City (Credit: Flickr/{* ferris!); Teachers on strike in Chicago (Credit: Flickr/br5ad).

Commentary: Historians

  • Ronald W. Evans: Chicago Teachers Strike a Blow Against Testing (9-17-12)
  • Mark Naison: Why Business Leaders Make a Mess When They Are Put in Charge of Schools (7-2-12)
  • Alan Singer: Beware the Education–Industrial Complex (4-16-12)
  • Mark Naison: What is Lost When Teaching as a Lifetime Calling is Undermined (6-4-12)
  • Ronald W. Evans: The Tragic Lost Opportunity of School Reform (2-20-12)\
  • David A. Walsh: School Reform Grudge Match: Diane Ravitch vs. Steven Brill (8-31-11)
  • Sheldon and Jeremy Stern: Run Down by Traffic in Both Directions: Is it Possible to Have a Rational Discussion of State U.S. History Standards? (3-1-11)
  • Jonathan Zimmerman: Education Programs Lack Intellect (3-3-11)
  • Diane Ravitch: I Stand With the Teachers of Wisconsin (2-22-11)
  • Jonathan Zimmerman: A Little Shame Goes a Long Way (2-14-11)
  • Ronald W. Evans: History Left Behind in Education (1-30-11)
  • Stephen Brockmann: Sorry for the Destruction of the Humanities (1-27-11)
  • Jonathan Zimmerman: How to Seize a Sputnik Moment (1-27-11)
  • Sheldon M. Stern: Remembrance of General Education Past (1-16-11)
  • Jonathan Zimmerman: Americans Think They're Too Smart to Work Hard (12-14-10)
  • Mark Naison: In Defense of Public School Teachers (12-2-10)