The Great School Rethink

In The Great School Rethink, education policy sentinel Frederick M. Hess offers a pithy and perceptive appraisal of American schooling and finds, in the uncertain period following pandemic disruption, an ideal moment to reimagine US education. Now is the time, he asserts, to ask hard questions about how schools use time and talent, how they work with parents, what they do with digital tools, and how they meet the needs of their communities.

As Hess explains, to rethink is to acknowledge the realities of the education system while opening one's mind to possibility. With characteristic verve and wit, Hess guides listeners through his rethink process, a versatile and easily implemented approach to identifying issues and brainstorming possible responses. He encourages listeners to explore what improvements might alleviate current pressures and frustrations, such as teacher shortages and burnout, declining student performance, and compromised learning time. Whether their goal is to achieve better student engagement, increase parent involvement, or implement personalized learning, listeners will develop the mindset to ask the right questions, to fully understand the problem that's being solved, and to evaluate the probable effectiveness of proposed solutions.