LeBron James Just Became a Ken Doll — Here’s Why That Matters for Student Voice
In April 2025, Mattel unveiled something no one expected: LeBron James as a Ken doll. On the surface, it might feel like just another brand collab. But it’s more than that. It’s a cultural moment—and an education moment—about visibility, representation, and what it really means to be seen. Why Representation Still Hits Different Students need […]
Beyond Surveys: How Authentic Student Voice Is Reshaping Education
For decades, schools have relied on traditional surveys, attendance records, and standardized test scores to gauge student growth. But what if the metrics we’ve been using are missing what matters most? In today’s world, academic content alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Employers are hiring for soft skills. Colleges are interviewing for character. Families want […]
The Lost Art of the Handshake: What We’re Really Losing in the Digital Age of Connection
In 2025, a firm handshake feels almost retro. From remote work to AI-driven classrooms, digital culture has disrupted the micro-habits of social interaction. But while we’ve innovated for efficiency, we may have forgotten how much human meaning was encoded in a simple grip. And now, the research is starting to catch up. ???? The Physical […]
Neurodiversity Is Trending — So Why Are Our Assessments Still Built for Neurotypicals?
From young people with ADHD capturing attention on TikTok with millions of views, to autism advocacy creators redefining what “normal” looks like, the neurodivergent revolution is here—and Gen Z is leading it. On TikTok alone, the hashtag #Neurodivergent has over 5.6 billion views and counting.Terms like “executive dysfunction,” “masking,” and “stim culture” are now part […]
Language Is Not the Barrier—It’s the Signal: Why Bilingual Students Deserve Better Assessment
In classrooms across the country, bilingual students are often told—implicitly or explicitly—that they need to “master English” before their learning is considered valid. But research, neuroscience, and common sense tell us the opposite: Language isn’t a barrier to learning. It’s a lens through which human growth is expressed. The real question isn’t if students can […]
The College Essay Is Dead. Long Live the Student Voice Portfolio.
When ChatGPT can draft a Common App essay in 12 seconds, it’s hard not to ask: what’s still real in the college application process? Admissions offices are asking the same thing. That’s why a growing number of colleges are turning to interviews and video introductions as the new barometers of authenticity. Schools like Brown, University […]
