by Frederick M. Hess
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal (March 28, 2025)
Having followed the educational scene for nearly three decades, first as a professor at the University of Virginia and then as the founding director of the American Enterprise Institute’s educational policy studies program, Rick Hess has seen most of what’s transpired in the world of educational policy and reform.
Recently, he authored an open letter to college presidents, encouraging them to take advantage of this moment when higher educational institutions, both public and private, are being critically reevaluated in light of billions of dollars in federal aid.
Hess is encouraging them to “institutionalize a commitment to free inquiry” on campus; “restore fair admissions” based on academic merit; “get students back to work,” contrary to the minimum threshold of academic effort currently being proffered; “focus on outcomes” for students; and “streamline staffing” to curb much of the administrative bloat. It’s an aggressive agenda Hess puts forward, but he believes the time is right for just such changes.
