Using Lunch to Punish the Poor

Using Lunch to Punish the Poor

One of the lucky things about being rich is that you automatically become handsome, your jokes are hilarious, and politicians treat you with fawning deference. On the other hand, the unlucky thing about being poor is that … well, you’re poor. And society...
Why Our Kids Are Coming in Last Place

Why Our Kids Are Coming in Last Place

The United States, anyone could reasonably argue, has the most accomplished elite athletes in the world. The best evidence? In Rio this past summer, young American men and women finished at a comfortable first place in the Olympic final medal tally. But what if we...
Where Has All the Money for Our Schools Gone?

Where Has All the Money for Our Schools Gone?

As fall approaches, millions of moms and dads are scrambling to prepare for the first day of school, excited to support their children’s success. But are schools ready to receive our kids and foster that success? Increasingly, the answer is no. In at least 18 states,...
You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught

You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught

We all remember the teachers who most influenced us. Life lessons learned in the classroom stay with you for decades. I was lucky to have several great teachers, but my fifth grade teacher stands out the most. Nancy Livingston taught for 25 years in Princeton, New...
A Racist Wake-Up Call

A Racist Wake-Up Call

I worked proudly with Muslim CIA officers in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. I used to think most Americans understood that Muslim Americans are patriots, too. Ahmed Mohamed’s recent ordeal proved how wrong I was. He’s the 14-year-old who was recently interrogated,...