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Key Themes in Education Discussions of 2024
The Education Next blog experienced a surge of interest in 2024, reflecting a deep curiosity about the dynamics within American classrooms. Readers were particularly engaged with discussions surrounding the academic rigor presented to students, alongside explorations of the instructional methods utilized by teachers. The backdrop of a contentious election cycle heightened these discussions, especially following President-elect Donald Trump’s renewed calls for the dissolution of the U.S. Department of Education.
Among the standout contributions was that of former Education Next managing editor Ira Stoll, whose analysis of the notable rise in AP test scores, particularly in U.S. history and government, topped the blog’s rankings. Stoll, along with distinguished education reform advocate Chester E. Finn Jr., highlighted the College Board’s “recalibration” of scores which resulted in a significant increase in top scores among students. This shift raises concerns regarding the perceived decline in academic standards within the American education system.
Additionally, Philadelphia math teacher Ryan Hooper brought attention to a disconcerting trend through his critique of the Building Thinking Classrooms approach. This method, which emphasizes inquiry-based learning by shifting the focus away from teachers, was challenged by Hooper’s advocacy for more traditional, direct instruction. This post secured the second position among the year’s most-read pieces. Notably, Education Next executive editor Michael Petrilli captured the fifth spot with his insights on the troubling trend of elite-college students struggling to engage with books, while Benjamin Riley’s commentary on the potential impact of generative artificial intelligence on education garnered the seventh position.
The political climate also influenced the blog’s content, particularly in light of the Heritage Foundation’s Mandate for Leadership, which proposes sweeping changes to educational governance, including the abolishment of the Department of Education. Following the Republican victories in the November elections, readers turned to the blog for insights on the evolving federal role in education. Both Paul E. Peterson, an emeritus editor and host of the Education Exchange podcast, and executive editor Rick Hess provided timely analyses that contributed to the blog’s relevance during this pivotal year.
A pervasive sense of caution seems to characterize the discussions on the Education Next blog for 2024. Readers can expect to continue benefiting from its clear and thoughtful interpretations of the complex and fluctuating landscape of education in the coming year.
The complete list of the top ten blog posts of the year is available here:
Source
www.educationnext.org