E122: Are Schools Failing Our Kids? The Data Says Yes - w/ Rick Hess

AEI’s Rick Hess joins Jesse for a wide-ranging conversation on the collapse of academic performance in American schools. They unpack why test scores haven’t recovered since the pandemic, the long-term impact of smartphones, and why nearly 1 in 4 students are now chronically absent. Hess also explains how schools are often structured more for the convenience of adults than the learning needs of children, and why $190 billion in federal aid has done little to reverse the decline.Topics include:The shocking truth behind the Nation’s Report CardCellphones, social media, and the student attention crisisWhy school starts at 7 a.m. (hint: it’s not for kids)How remote learning exposed classroom prioritiesThe rise of activism over academics in K–12Higher ed dysfunction: grade inflation, adjunct labor, and disappearing rigorWhat America can learn from Mississippi, Utah, and South KoreaBold reforms to redesign teaching, mentoring, and student achievement📺Watch full episode➡️https://youtu.be/efWNwt1J6Sw 🎙 The Pod is hosted by Jesse Wright💬 For guest suggestions, questions, or media inquiries, reach out at https://elpodcast.media/📬 Never miss an episode – subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts.⭐️ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. It helps others find us. Thanks for listening!