I’ve explored the science behind what makes kids happier, what type of parenting works best and what makes for joyful …
Education
Why I Let My Daughter Get a ‘Useless’ College Degree
A new study from the Federal Reserve offers more evidence that my humanities-loving child will graduate with lots of debt and not so many job offers. And I’m O.K. with that.
The American Studies Association Needs to Learn Some American Values
Their academic boycott of Israel is simplistic, heavy-handed, and un-intellectual
Michelle Rhee: More Mediocrity for American Education
The bad news about those mediocre new rankings of America’s educational system is the complacency about fixing them
Does High School Determine the Rest of Your Life?
A new study shows that the popular kids in high school wind up making more money. Then again, a lot of people still hate them
The Pain of Piano Lessons: Can You Force Kids to Develop Interests?
Personal interests don’t have to arise “naturally” but are often triggered by external events
Thinking You Did Great After the SAT is a Sign You Bombed
Last Saturday, students from around the world took part in a ritual of adolescence: the SAT. After the test, I received a slew of emails from test-takers who’d read my blog for SAT tips, reporting back on how the test went. …
SAT-Optional Schools Not Such a Great Option After All
Schools that say they’re optional may wind up using them for merit scholarships or class placement
Early Decision: Better for Colleges Than for Students
Early decision — you apply to one school, and admission is binding — seems like a great choice for nervous applicants. Schools let in a higher percentage of early-decision applicants, which arguably means that you have a …
What Schools Can Do to Help Boys Succeed
If boys are restive and unfocused, we must look for ways to help them do better. Here are three suggestions
Universal Pre-K Won’t Solve Vocabulary Gap (Or Inequality)
Results show just how hard it is for the government to compensate for poor learning environments at home
How To Increase the Number of Women Winning Nobel Prizes
The mother of tweens was folding laundry at 5 a.m. before going to an early spinning class when the phone rang. It was October 2009 and Carol Greider, a biologist at Johns Hopkins University, picked up and heard a voice from …
Don’t Just Talk. Listen to Your Baby Too
New campaigns to increase the number of words young children hear should focus on real conversations too