David Kirp

is professor emeritus at the Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California-Berkeley, co-author The Education Debate: What Everyone Needs to Know, and a resident of Finland.

Flag of Finland displayed in a city

Racism?? In Finland!!?? Racism?? In Finland!!??

Trouble in the “World’s Happiest Nation.”

Sep 26, 2023 / David Kirp

The Broken College Ranking System

The Broken College Ranking System The Broken College Ranking System

A fairer rankings system would highlight universities like Georgia State and CUNY, whose mission is to help students from poor families enter the middle class, rather than fixating...

Aug 15, 2022 / Books & the Arts / David Kirp

Helsinki, Finland

Finnish Democracy Is on the Brink Finnish Democracy Is on the Brink

Finland is vulnerable to the same threats that confront democracies across the EU—the popular appeal of nativist parties, polarized political discourse, and cyber-bullying of minor...

Nov 18, 2021 / David Kirp

Inmate Students San Quentin

Building the Prison-to-College Pipeline Building the Prison-to-College Pipeline

Securing a college education for the formerly incarcerated can break intergenerational cycles of poverty and crime.

Jun 25, 2021 / David Kirp

Stockton, CA

Starting From Stockton Starting From Stockton

What this small California city can teach America about basic income.

Nov 17, 2020 / David Kirp

Tech Mania Goes to College

Tech Mania Goes to College Tech Mania Goes to College

Are MOOCs—massive open online courses—the utopia of affordable higher education, or just the latest fad?

Sep 4, 2013 / Feature / David Kirp

The Rebellion Against High-Stakes Testing

The Rebellion Against High-Stakes Testing The Rebellion Against High-Stakes Testing

Resistance is growing, and with good reason—test mania delivers few benefits and often harms the students it’s meant to help. 

May 8, 2013 / Editorial / David Kirp

How Union City Is Shifting the Arc of Immigrant Kids’ Lives

How Union City Is Shifting the Arc of Immigrant Kids’ Lives How Union City Is Shifting the Arc of Immigrant Kids’ Lives

With a well-marked pathway from preschool through high school, the dense New Jersey city is a model educator for newcomers—and America at large.

Apr 8, 2013 / David Kirp

The Kids Are All Right The Kids Are All Right

As a mentoring program shows, the arc of a child’s life can be altered by a single stable adult.

Feb 10, 2011 / Feature / David Kirp

Needle Exchange Comes of Age Needle Exchange Comes of Age

Fighting AIDS in the streets.

Dec 8, 2010 / Feature / David Kirp

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