Laura McKenna

Laura McKenna is a former political science professor who writes regularly at Apt. 11D.

The Worst Victims of the Education Sequester: Special-Needs Students and Poor Kids

The Worst Victims of the Education Sequester: Special-Needs Students and Poor Kids

Thanks to Washington's budget showdown, our neediest kids will see the deepest cuts. More »

After Newtown, I'm Reconsidering Giving My Son 'Halo 4' For Christmas

After Newtown, I'm Reconsidering Giving My Son 'Halo 4' For Christmas

"I do not want to contribute to the culture of violence in America." More »

Extra Pay for Great Teachers: Newark's Simple Idea Is a Breakthrough

Extra Pay for Great Teachers: Newark's Simple Idea Is a Breakthrough

This month, teachers in Newark voted for a plan that would pay teachers rated "highly effective" in hard-to-staff areas an extra $12,500. Teachers unions across the country could feel the impact. More »

The Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Bad Student Debt? It's Our Professors

The Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Bad Student Debt? It's Our Professors

Is it crazy to think instructors could help solve our college loan crisis? By focusing students on a cost-effective course of study and on-time graduation, they could make a big difference. More »

Mommyblogging, Inc.: Why Women Rule the Social Web

Mommyblogging, Inc.: Why Women Rule the Social Web

They're the major users of every social media site except YouTube, and they mean big business. More »

A Work-Life-Balance Roadmap for the 99%

A Work-Life-Balance Roadmap for the 99%

We need to recognize that some elite jobs simply require a stay-at-home-parent More »

The Big Idea That Can Revolutionize Higher Education: 'MOOC'

The Big Idea That Can Revolutionize Higher Education: 'MOOC'

Massive open online courses combine the best of college -- exceptional instruction -- with the best of technology -- online interactive learning More »

The Forgotten Student: Has Higher Education Stiffed Its Most Important Client?

The Forgotten Student: Has Higher Education Stiffed Its Most Important Client?

How the prestige game costs students more money for a lower-quality education More »

Why Are Your Neighbors Just Like You?

Why Are Your Neighbors Just Like You?

Why do similar people cluster in big cities and their suburbs? More »

Explaining Annette Lareau, or, Why Parenting Style Ensures Inequality

Explaining Annette Lareau, or, Why Parenting Style Ensures Inequality

The sociologist argued that middle-class kids are raised in a way that provides them with the skills necessary to remain in the middle class. More »

Can My Kid Still Get Treatment? Why Autism's Definition Matters

Can My Kid Still Get Treatment? Why Autism's Definition Matters

This isn't just an academic debate: By rewriting autism's definition, the American Psychiatric Association will affect services for thousands. More »

Locked in the Ivory Tower: Why JSTOR Imprisons Academic Research

Locked in the Ivory Tower: Why JSTOR Imprisons Academic Research

Universities have to pay thousands of dollars every year to read their own research. Blame the broken economics of academic publishing. More »

The Biggest Story in Photos

Protests Spread Across Brazil

Subscribe Now

SAVE 65%! 10 issues JUST $2.45 PER COPY

Newsletters

Sign up to receive our free newsletters

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)