Accessibility links
Education We've been to school. We know how education works. Right? In fact, many aspects of learning — in homes, at schools, at work and elsewhere — are evolving rapidly, along with our understanding of learning. Join us as we explore how learning happens.

Education

Student Argues for Local Voting Rights

Young Han, a college student in New York State, talks about his efforts to reform voting registration rules. Han tried to register in the town where he attends school, but, like many students, was told he should vote absentee where his parents live more than 2,000 miles away. Han argues that full-time college students pay sales taxes, sometimes income taxes, so why not cast ballots? NPR's Renee Montagne talks with Han.

Student Argues for Local Voting Rights

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4052263/4052264" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

National

Parents and Kids Address an Age-old Question

One of the most frustrating conversations between parents and children begins with the question: "How was school?" Parents seem programmed to ask it, and kids have dozens of ways not to answer. NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Renee Montagne hear from parents and students, who talk about what they're really thinking when they're having this dead-end dialogue.

Parents and Kids Address an Age-old Question

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4052247/4052248" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Software Companies Claim Educational Gains

Software companies are claiming huge gains in test scores in schools because of their computer programs. But is there evidence to back this up? Baltimore Sun reporter Alec MacGillis, recently investigated the use of technology in schools. MacGillis says that No Child Left Behind gave schools more leeway to spend federal money on technology, but that in many cases the software products are unproven and the glowing claims are questionable. Hear MacGillis and NPR's Renee Montagne.

Software Companies Claim Educational Gains

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4052245/4052246" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

National

A Chat with MacArthur 'Genius' Grant Winners

The MacArthur Foundation announces this year's winners of "genius grants," $500,000 awards — with no strings attached — that recognize exceptional creativity. The 23 recipients include a ragtime pianist and a human rights activist. NPR's Robert Siegel and NPR's Michele Norris speak with five of the winners.

A Chat with MacArthur 'Genius' Grant Winners

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4051423/4051677" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Politics

Bush and Kerry's Yale Univ. Debate Coach

Both President George W. Bush and Democratic contender Sen. John Kerry took classes with the same oratory professor at Yale University, the late Rollin Osterweis. NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to former Oklahoma Sen. David Boren, who also studied under Osterweis, and says that he can see the professor's mark on both candidates.

Bush and Kerry's Yale Univ. Debate Coach

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4050946/4050947" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Black Colleges Offer Common Application Form

Students can now apply to 33 historically black colleges or universities by using one application and paying one fee. The so-called "Black College Common Application" is the brainchild of Robert Mason, president of E.D.U, Inc. He speaks with NPR's Tavis Smiley. Also weighing in is Cheryl Mason, director of guidance for the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts.

Black Colleges Offer Common Application Form

Only Available in Archive Formats.

Study: Programs for Poor Paid for Tax Cuts for Rich

An investigation by The Detroit News reveals that to pay for $600 billion in tax breaks that went to those earning $300,000 a year or more, the White House and Congress scaled back programs that aid the poor. Among programs targeted are those for housing, higher education, welfare-to-work initiatives and safety nets for the poor. Hear NPR's Tavis Smiley, author Julianne Malveaux and Tim Kane of the Heritage Foundation.

Study: Programs for Poor Paid for Tax Cuts for Rich

Only Available in Archive Formats.

College Tries to Curb Binge Drinking

NPR's Michele Norris talks with Bob Maust, Chairman of the University of Colorado's Standing Committee on Substance Abuse, about the problems of underage and binge drinking on campuses and what the University of Colorado has done to try to stem the problems.

College Tries to Curb Binge Drinking

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4049561/4049562" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Colorado School May Revamp Alcohol Rules

Two Colorado college students have died from apparent alcohol poisoning in the last two weeks. At Colorado State University in Fort Collins, college administrators have decided to stop selling beer at football games. Nancy Greenleese of member station KUNC attended last weekend's game and has this report.

Colorado School May Revamp Alcohol Rules

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4049559/4049560" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

New Generation Takes Up Art of Cursive Writing

This year's SATs will require students to use a skill they can often ignore: penmanship. The test now includes an essay section, with no computers allowed. NPR's Robert Siegel visits a Maryland school where pupils are learning the art of cursive writing.

New Generation Takes Up Art of Cursive Writing

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4049540/4049802" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Cuts Force Clark-Atlanta Library Program to Close

Due to financial cuts, Clark-Atlanta University in Georgia, a historically black college, is planning to close its well-regarded school of library and information science. NPR's Tavis Smiley talks with Akilah Nasokhere a librarian and a Clark-Atlanta graduate and Carol Brey Casiano, president of the American Library Association.

Cuts Force Clark-Atlanta Library Program to Close

Only Available in Archive Formats.

National

In St. Louis, War Refugees Mull Whether to Vote

Many Bosnian refugees who settled in St. Louis after the war in the early '90s have become citizens. But old fears about politics and voting could keep them home on Election Day. Hear Matt Sepic of member station KWMU in St. Louis.

In St. Louis, War Refugees Mull Whether to Vote

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4048533/4048534" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Student Loan Loophole a Billion-Dollar Boon for Lenders

NPR's Anthony Brooks reports on a loophole in federal law regulating student loans that is allowing some lenders to earn billions of dollars in profits through high interest rates guaranteed by the federal government.

Student Loan Loophole a Billion-Dollar Boon for Lenders

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/3935843/3935844" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Enron's Academic Legacy at Univ. of Missouri

NPR's Greg Allen reports that faculty members at the University of Missouri want the school to return a $1.1-million donation from disgraced former Enron chairman Ken Lay and remove his name from an endowed chair in economics.

Enron's Academic Legacy at Univ. of Missouri

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/3935835/3935836" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">