The Science of School and Education
Here are solutions to improve students’ emotional, physical, and mental health and to boost educational outcomes
Subverting Climate Science in the Classroom
Oil and gas representatives influence the standards for courses and textbooks, from kindergarten to 12th grade
Why Kids Are Afraid to Ask for Help
Children as young as seven years old may hesitate to ask questions in school because they worry classmates will think they are “stupid”
Teaching about Racism Is Essential for Education
Lessons about racial injustice help students understand reality
Reading for Pleasure Helps Kids’ Brain Development
The simple and fun act of reading for pleasure in early childhood produces better cognition, mental health and educational attainment in adolescence
Useful Feedback, More Than Praise, Helps Students Flourish
Teacher feedback that gives students options can make them feel empowered
Let Teenagers Sleep
Despite years of evidence that starting school later promotes better health and improved grades, too few schools have adopted this measure
Adversity in Early Childhood Can Impair Brain Development
Adverse early childhood experience leaves persisting traces in brain structure, highlighting the importance of preventive measures for healthy brain development
Spiky ‘Sleep Spindles’ Linked to Acts of Learning
A study shows how bursts of brain activity during sleep could boost memory
To Keep Students in STEM fields, Let’s Weed Out the Weed-Out Math Classes
Reimagining calculus has changed several schools’ success rates. Here’s how
Students Who Gesture during Learning ‘Grasp’ Concepts Better
Hand movement appears to help in teaching about statistical models
U.S. Kids Are Falling behind Global Competition, but Brain Science Shows How to Catch Up
Paid parental leave and high-quality child care improve children’s brain development and prospects for a better future
Extreme Heat Threatens Student Health in Schools without Air-Conditioning
August and September will bring tens of millions of public school students back to class. Many face health risks from rising temperatures
We Need More Health Clinics at Schools
In-school clinics improve well-being and educational outcomes and serve children who need them most
Science Shows How to Protect Kids’ Mental Health, but It’s Being Ignored
Yes, the COVID pandemic has made the youth mental health crisis worse. But our teens were in trouble long before that
Children’s Risk of Suicide Increases on School Days
Unlike in adults, suicide risk among children is lowest during the summer and higher during the school year. Understanding these patterns can help prevent and treat suicidality
The Educational Power—and the Limits—of Personalized Children’s Books
Reading materials individually tailored to young people can boost engagement and learning, but discerning what works is an ongoing challenge
Fascism’s History Offers Lessons about Today’s Attacks on Education
Moves in Florida to control public education mirror past fascist strategies in ways that are disquieting for American democracy, a historian argues
A Cure for Vaccine Hesitancy Could Start in Kindergarten
Teaching simple basics in school about masks, handwashing and ethics can stave off misconceptions in adulthood
Back-to-School Special: Kids, Tests and Long COVID Reassurance: COVID, Quickly, Episode 37
This is our back-to-school special episode of COVID, Quickly . We’ll talk about why COVID testing is about to become a school problem—and about whether or not kids are at risk for long COVID...
In Schools, Honest Talk about Racism Can Reduce Discrimination
New laws make it harder for teachers to discuss racism and inequality, but psychological evidence shows these conversations dispel causes of bias and distress
Schoolkids Are Falling Victim to Disinformation and Conspiracy Fantasies
Although children are prime targets, educators cannot figure out how best to teach them to separate fact from fiction
The One Change That Boosts a High School’s Academic Performance
A study in Seattle shows the power of starting the day later
