An intriguing experiment is afoot in some of the nation’s struggling public schools. New “Parent Trigger” laws passed in California and on the agenda in New York, Ohio, Colorado, and Chicago, allow parents of chronically failing schools to unseat the schools’ leadership and staff. But the initiative has pitfalls.

Harvard Graduate School of Education's Meira Levinson argues that recovering the civic purposes of public schools will take more than tweaking their curricula. Drawing on political theory, empirical research and her own experience from teaching at an all-black middle school in Atlanta, Levinson calls on schools to remake civic education.

A recent study suggests that private schools are more conducive than public schools when it comes to preparing students for the rigors of citizenship.

Recent economic research suggests that colleges siphon off a significant portion of federal education aid rather than lowering costs to students

The most effective schools have always been unapologetic about setting norms and disciplining misbehavior.

India’s education policies should encourage private initiative and focus on learning outcomes

In an era of stories about teacher layoffs and teacher unions protesting for better pay and benefits, it's assumed that this profession gets the short end of the wage stick when it comes to serving in public schools.