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The Future of Education Substack by Michael B. Horn examines major trends and news in education, focusing on innovation and systemic change. It covers topics from the challenges and opportunities in higher education, K-12 education strategies, education technology, and policy impacts, to the role of new learning models and financial aspects of education.

Higher Education K-12 Education Educational Innovation Online Learning Education Policy EdTech Learning Models Financial Aspects of Education

The hottest Substack posts of The Future of Education

And their main takeaways

Why Employees Quit

59 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🚌 Education Career development Educational Policy Learning Strategies Employee retention
  1. Many people quit their jobs because they don't find their work meaningful and don't feel valued by their colleagues or managers. To keep employees happy, companies should focus on providing fulfilling work experiences.
  2. People are leaving jobs despite being offered good pay because traditional hiring and retention strategies are not addressing their real needs. Employers need to look beyond just salaries and benefits to understand why employees leave.
  3. Relationships and connections in life matter a lot for both personal happiness and career success. It's important to nurture these relationships, as they can provide joy and future opportunities.

Free Speech on College Campuses

495 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Free speech Academic Freedom Podcasts Online Education
  1. In the dialogue on college campuses, there is a need to broaden perspectives and engage in deeper conversations to foster resilience.
  2. University leaders should maintain neutrality on controversial issues, creating an environment for open debate without imposing specific viewpoints.
  3. Higher education institutions should focus on developing students' abilities to engage with complexity, debate ideas, and build humility for better societal cohesion.
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Controversy On Whether Growth Mindset Works Should Strengthen The Theory

158 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🚌 Education Research Theory
  1. Education research needs to move beyond just identifying 'best practices' and look for nuanced insights that work for specific individuals.
  2. Researchers should focus on deductive research to identify anomalies that can lead to a better understanding of interventions.
  3. Acknowledging anomalies in research can help in providing actionable insights that actually benefit educators and students.

Why ‘System Transformation’ Is Likely A Pipe Dream

257 implied HN points • 17 May 23
🚌 Education Education system
  1. System transformation in education is difficult because it usually involves replacing the existing system with a new one.
  2. Existing systems have interconnected components with consistent and reinforcing structures that resist external changes.
  3. Simply introducing new ideas or programs into an established system may not work if they do not align with the existing structures and incentives.

The Dual Credit Risk In High Schools

238 implied HN points • 24 May 23
🚌 Education Online Learning
  1. States promote dual-credit programs for high schoolers to earn college credits.
  2. Lack of external validation in dual-credit programs poses risks for students.
  3. Students transferring credits may face challenges, losing a significant percentage.

The Learning Leapfrog In Liberia, Sierra Leone

238 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🚌 Education Technology Learning Implementation Affordability
  1. Using technology to personalize learning is helping children in Liberia and Sierra Leone improve reading and math skills.
  2. Implementing tablet-based learning programs can have a significant impact on education in resource-constrained countries.
  3. Affordable and sustainable solutions, like tablet-based learning, can revolutionize education systems in developing nations.

Spurring Student Success

59 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Workforce Development Innovation
  1. Student success efforts in college campuses are crucial, especially with concerns about completion rates and student retention.
  2. Engaging learners post-pandemic involves innovation in high school education, such as dual enrollment and integrating internships.
  3. Institutions need to focus on providing tangible value to students, addressing cost structures, and prioritizing student success in a changing higher education landscape.

Putting ChatGPT to the Test

218 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🚌 Education AI Teaching Innovation Podcasts Books
  1. ChatGPT produces high-quality essays that meet or exceed standards across grade levels.
  2. Schools should adjust practices to keep up with technological advancements like ChatGPT.
  3. Education decision makers are grappling with how to respond to AI tools like ChatGPT in classrooms.

Short, Affordable Alternatives to College

218 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🚌 Education Alternative Education
  1. Over 50 million people in the US are in low-wage jobs with limited career mobility and education.
  2. Innovative programs like Merit America and Marcy Lab School provide affordable, supportive, and career-focused alternatives to traditional college.
  3. These alternatives rethink college costs, advocate for federal financial aid eligibility, and prioritize a no-excuses mindset for student success.

Biden’s Back Door to Free College

218 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education
  1. Biden is finding new ways to offer free college beyond community colleges.
  2. Taxpayers may end up covering the cost, leading to unaccountable colleges raising prices.
  3. The plan involves income-driven repayment, where debt payments are based on a percentage of income.

Biden’s Latest Regulatory Overreach Hits Colleges

198 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Regulation Higher education Innovation Government Policy
  1. Biden administration's new regulations for colleges will increase costs and stifle innovation for students.
  2. Thousands of contracts between colleges and third-party organizations will be under scrutiny and may be nullified.
  3. The regulatory approach favors large incumbents over startups, passing compliance costs to universities and ultimately to students.

Lowering Costs and Increasing Value for Students, Institutions, and Taxpayers

99 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🚌 Education Policy Market Innovation Regulation Outcomes
  1. The current higher education system lacks incentives for institutions to focus on student outcomes and financial returns.
  2. Accreditors play a gatekeeper role for federal financial aid, but are not incentivized to focus on student outcomes.
  3. Policy should shift focus to student outcomes, transparency in pricing, and requiring colleges to share in the risk of student loan repayments.

More Schools Should Offer Year-Round Schooling Option

178 implied HN points • 18 Aug 22
  1. Offering year-round schooling can reduce stress on students, parents, and teachers
  2. Year-round schooling provides more balanced opportunities for children's interests throughout the year
  3. Transitioning to a balanced calendar for schools can lead to improved parent satisfaction and teacher well-being

A Message of Thanks

59 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
  1. The author expresses gratitude for the support from readers and subscribers.
  2. Updates on the author's books being featured and discussed in various platforms.
  3. Information about recent podcasts and conversations on education innovation.

Athletics and Physical Education in K-12 and Higher Ed

59 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
  1. The focus of physical education should be on developing individuals capable of pursuing fitness for life, not just developing athletes.
  2. Quality physical education improves student attention and focus in academic subjects.
  3. Schools need to prioritize physical education to promote lifelong physical fitness habits in students.

Demise of the Pac-12, Campus Spending, and DeSantis at Yale

19 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🚌 Education Higher Ed Innovation Schools Parenting
  1. Colleges are facing financial challenges as federal funding decreases and there's pressure to bring in more revenue, even impacting athletic programs like the Pac-12.
  2. Many colleges are criticized for excessive spending that doesn't align with providing value to students, contributing to the overall cost crisis in higher education.
  3. It's important to rethink incentives and challenge the idea that spending more equates to delivering a better education at colleges.

Ban the Cellphone Ban

19 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
  1. The concerns behind cellphone bans in schools include students' mental health, engagement, and focus.
  2. Cellphone bans may hinder the productive use of mobile-learning applications that could enhance learning outcomes.
  3. Educators should consider more moderate approaches to cellphone use in schools, rather than blanket bans, to leverage technology for academic purposes and teach responsible device usage.

A Mass. Referendum, Revenue Sharing, And Taxing College Sports

0 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🚌 Education Higher education Policy Reform Taxation Sports Management
  1. The Supreme Court's recent ruling has brought relief to many in higher education, as it may create more stability in regulations, helping schools innovate and invest without constant changes.
  2. There's a possibility that college sports revenue might be taxed, as it may not directly relate to educational purposes, which could lead colleges to change how they manage their athletic programs.
  3. There is a referendum in Massachusetts about ending a graduation exam requirement, which many believe is important for ensuring that students have the necessary skills before graduating, rather than relying solely on teachers' grades.

Update on My Upcoming Book Job Moves—and Exciting News About My Previous Book

0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🚌 Education Career development Higher education Book Publishing Podcasts
  1. The upcoming book 'Job Moves' will be available on November 19th and aims to help people advance their careers. A video featuring the authors introduces some key ideas from the book.
  2. The previous book, 'From Reopen to Reinvent,' ranked number 7 on Porchlight's Nonfiction Bestsellers list for September 2024. This success highlights the reception and importance of the book's themes.
  3. The podcast episode on the impact of college athletics discusses how changes in this area affect all of higher education. The conversation includes insights on sustainability and the role of student athletes.