harvard graduate school of education ranking

Enjoy this post? Rate it!

Harvard Graduate School of Education’s rankings

The harvard graduate school of education (hgse) is the education school of harvard university. it is now the nation’s best education school according to us news and world report . learn more about the reasons behind harvard graduate school of education’s stellar reputation., table of contents, hgse – preparing education leaders, researchers, and innovators, harvard graduate school of education – legacy, harvard graduate schools of education rankings, why harvard graduate school of education has high rankings, usable knowledge – relevant research for today’s educators, what is the harvard graduate school of education acceptance rate, harvard graduate school of education – esteemed alumni , why is harvard graduate school of education better than the average, key takeaways.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education is a career-oriented professional school that engages the field to put innovative concepts into practice in order to enhance opportunities and outcomes for all learners. Everything at HGSE is based on the conviction that education is the most important issue of our time and that practice and policy in education that is based on research may lead to a society that is more just and prosperous.

HGSE teachers, students, and alum engage in groundbreaking research in a wide range of areas, including early childhood education, international education policy, organizational leadership, and learning design. They also use evidence-based techniques to help students, schools, organizations, and systems support educational growth.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education has been training talented, driven people to become transformative leaders in education for more than a century. Established in 1920, the Harvard Graduate School of Education is a world-class community of faculty, students, and alumni committed to enhancing lives and enhancing possibilities through the thorough study and successful application of education. Through master’s, doctoral, and professional education programs, HGSE develops creative leaders and entrepreneurs, investigates the most crucial issues in education, and disseminates fascinating concepts and cutting-edge methods around the globe.

Harvard’s graduate school of education is first among all graduate schools of education in the United States according to US News and World Report. Their performance across numerous generally recognized metrics of quality was taken into account while ranking the graduate schools of education at Harvard. The school comes in third place, according to Times Higher Education.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), a graduate division of Harvard University, is one of the best schools of education in the US.

The goal of the HGSE is to provide knowledge and nurture leaders in education in order to support student opportunity, accomplishment, and success. To accomplish this goal, it functions at the nexus of practice, policy, and research. The Harvard Education Publishing Group, whose imprint is the Harvard Education Press, is the source of the Harvard Educational Review.

HGSE is a professional school with an emphasis on the social effect that strives to enhance opportunities and results for all students by collaborating with the industry to implement innovative concepts. For almost a century, HGSE has trained gifted, driven people to lead educational transformation.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Usable Knowledge online resource offers educators, legislators, members of the media, NGO executives, business owners, and parents access to the latest research and best practices in education.

Useful knowledge is highly valued at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, regardless of whether students plan to teach, create policies, or do research. In just one year, students can earn a master’s degree in one of 13 specialties, such as international education policy and mind, brain, and education. Although doctoral programs typically span three years, Massachusetts winters can be avoided by enrolling in a semester or two of coursework at the University of California—Berkeley Graduate School of Education.

The school runs initiatives aimed at assisting the nation’s failing schools, including the Change Leadership Group and WIDE World, which look at ways to reform systems at the district and school levels. There is no tuition for the Doctor of Education Leadership program, which prepares graduate students to lead transformation. Students looking for extracurricular activities can participate in initiatives like Project Zero, a research project on how art affects learning or work at centers for scientific inquiry like the Center on the Developing Child.

Harvard Graduate School of Education’s acceptance rate is relatively low at 4.7. You must have heard that the schools are very competitive, meaning that only a small fraction of the applicants are accepted yearly. For the class of 2022 (those admitted back in 2018), the acceptance rate was 5.7%. Over 43,000 applications were sent for the 2019-2020 schooling year, and just slightly over 2000 got accepted.

Alumni of HGSE include entrepreneurs like Twitter co-founder Dom Sagolla, educators like Mount Holyoke College President Joanne V. Creighton, and government officials like Tom Payzant, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education.

Here are some other prominent alums of HGSE

• Andrew McCollum, co-founder of Facebook; angel investor
• James McGreevey, former New Jersey state governor
• Martha Minow, dean, Harvard Law School
• Dianne Morales (born 1967), non-profit executive and political candidate
• Anne Sweeney, president, Disney-ABC Television Group
• Carl Gershman, president of the National Endowment for Democracy
• Denise Juneau, superintendent of Seattle Public Schools; former Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Elizabeth Dole, former United States Senator from North Carolina and wife of Bob Dole
• Geoffrey Canada, founder, Harlem Children’s Zone
• Lorna Hodgkinson, Australian educator; first woman to receive an Ed.D. from HGSE
• Nínive Clements Calegari, CEO of 826 National and founding executive director of 826 Valencia
• Sandra Sucher, business executive; professor, Harvard Business School
• William E. Trueheart, president of Bryant University, nonprofit CEO
• Joan Wexler, dean and president of Brooklyn Law School

• The Harvard Graduate School of Education, a professional institution with an emphasis on careers, works with business to advance innovative ideas to improve opportunities and results for all students.
• According to US News and World Report, it is currently the finest educational institution in the country.
• The competitive acceptance 4.7 rate is one of the reasons why the ranking of the Harvard Graduate School of Education is so high.

We hope this blog was informative. If so, please share your views in the comments below. Click here to reach out to us for more information. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

Liked this blog? Read next: All about Bocconi University fees and more!

Q1. Does HGSE provide evening classes?

Ans. The majority of courses at HGSE are available throughout the day, so there are no evening classes.

Q2. May I apply to HGSE as a part-time student?

Ans. A limited number of master’s students are admitted to HGSE on a part-time basis. Applicants must provide a brief statement in the Program Information area of the online application explaining why they want to study part-time.

Q3. Is the GRE part of the application process?

Ans. The GRE is not a requisite for Ed.M. applicants for the 2022-2023 school year. GRE or GMAT scores are required for Ed.L.D. applicants.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 3.8 / 5. Vote count: 4

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

People also liked

Top German universities for Indian students

University of Pennsylvania | An exploration of its student life

May intakes in the UK universities | Top courses

Ivy League schools vs. other top universities | Making the right choice

Sydney university list for international students | The ultimate guide

Top 10 universities in the world | A step-by-step application guide

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Start your journey with iSchoolConnect

Need help with your study abroad applications? Try iSchoolConnect for free!

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in France
• Study in Netherlands
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in New Zealand
• GRE Exam 2024
• GMAT Exam 2024
• IELTS Exam 2024
• TOEFL Exam 2024
• SAT Exam 2024
• PTE Exam 2024
• Student visa for USA 2024
• Student visa for Canada 2024
• Student visa for UK 2024
• How to choose a university for study abroad
• How to choose a career?
• University interview tips
• How to apply?
• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
• Essay and Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Study abroad Document checklist
• Finance documents for study abroad
• Cost of studying abroad
• How to apply for abroad scholarships
• Types of scholarships for study abroad
• Student loan for Study abroad
• Accommodation Abroad
• Part-time jobs in abroad
• Calculate your chances of studying abroad
• Calculate cost of studying abroad
• Which scholarship are you eligible for?

Where to Study?

Tests and Preparation

Visa Process

Programs and Universities

Application Process

Fees and Finances

Calculators

Education Leadership (online)

Graduate Program

The Master’s in Education (Ed.M.) prepares students with the skills needed to change the world through education. The online Master’s in Education Leadership is a part-time, two-year Ed.M. program from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with Higher Education and PreK-12 pathways. The program is specifically designed for working education professionals who bring at least seven years of relevant or transferrable work experience. Through this program, students will strengthen the invaluable skills they’ve already developed and develop the tools to propel themselves to new leadership opportunities and to even greater impact.

U.S. News & World Report Announces 2022 Best Graduate Schools

New edition includes medical school practice area rankings.

News provided by

Mar 30, 2021, 00:01 ET

Share this article

WASHINGTON , March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings, today published the 2022 Best Graduate Schools . The rankings evaluate programs across a number of disciplines – including business ,   education ,   engineering ,   law ,   medicine and   nursing – for students interested in furthering their education beyond college.

New in this edition:

• U.S. News added several standalone medical school rankings, using data from the Robert Graham Center, a division of the American Academy of Family Physicians. These rankings display data on various practice areas of alumni – specifically, the percentage of graduates practicing in primary care specialties, rural areas and medically underserved areas.
• Two new student debt indicators were added to the overall Best Law Schools methodology: The average law school debt incurred by law school graduates and the percentage of law graduates who incurred debt.

"Trying to decide where to go to grad school can be overwhelming under normal circumstances, let alone during a pandemic," said Anita Narayan , managing editor of Education at U.S. News. "Along with our articles featuring expert advice on the admissions process, the Best Graduate Schools rankings provide helpful data to make that search more manageable for prospective students."

Best Business Schools: Full-Time MBA Stanford University  is the No. 1 full-time MBA program, followed by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School at No. 2. The University of Chicago's Booth School of Business rounds out the top three.

Best Law Schools The top school among Best Law Schools is Yale University . Stanford and Harvard University come in at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

Best Medical Schools: Research Harvard  maintains the top spot among Best Medical Schools: Research, while New York University's Grossman School of Medicine moves up to No. 2 this year. Duke University also moves up in the rankings to No. 3.

Among education programs, the University of Pennsylvania moves up to join Harvard in a tie for the top spot. MIT maintains its place as No. 1 in engineering , while Johns Hopkins is No. 1 among nursing master's programs.

Alongside the six largest disciplines, additional graduate program rankings were updated this year. These include criminology , economics , English , history , library and information studies , political science , public affairs , public health and sociology .

The complete 2022 Best Graduate Schools rankings are available on USNews.com, with extended rankings and data exclusively in the   U.S. News Graduate School Compass . Follow U.S. News on   Facebook and   Twitter for more information on the 2022 Best Graduate Schools.

2022 Best Graduate Schools Rankings *See the rankings   here

Best Business Schools: Full-Time MBA 1. Stanford University (CA) 2. University of Pennsylvania ( Wharton ) 3. University of Chicago (Booth) 4. Northwestern University (Kellogg) (IL) 5. Harvard University (MA) (tie) 5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan) (tie)

Best Law Schools 1. Yale University (CT) 2. Stanford University (CA) 3. Harvard University (MA) 4. Columbia University (NY) (tie) 4. University of Chicago (tie)

Best Medical Schools: Research 1. Harvard University (MA) 2. New York University (Grossman) 3. Duke University (NC) 4. Columbia University (NY) (tie) 4. Stanford University (CA) (tie) 4. University of California–San Francisco (tie)

About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News,   USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit   USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report

Modal title

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Business school rankings

• Global EMBA
• Executive Education - Open programmes
• Executive Education - Customised programmes
• Masters in Finance Pre-Experience
• Master in Finance - Post-experience
• Masters in Management
• European Business Schools
• Ranking History

Online MBA 2024

Online MBA 2023

Further reading

The new business school curriculum: spreadsheets and humility

Finance masters courses teach importance of communication and teamwork

FT Online MBA ranking 2024: methodology, key and entry criteria

How the Online MBA ranking of the top 10 programmes was compiled

Spain’s IE Business School retains title as top Online MBA provider

Latest FT ranking comes at a time when the use of advanced technology and more tailored learning are reshaping online education

Supply chains: when the chips are down

Teaching case study: what US-China tensions mean for technology companies

Explore more

• Methodology

Recommended

Business Education: Financial Training

The FT’s 2024 ranking of the world’s top masters in finance programmes with analysis on the latest trends, data and key findings

Salaries for masters graduates in finance sector power ahead

Alumni earn $98,000 three years after course completion, latest FT data show

Special Collections Librarian and Archivist, Harvard Graduate School of Education, (Cambridge, MA)

Posted June 29, 2024

Job Summary

Although this position will remain posted until filled, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by end of day on July 15, 2024 HGSE is a diverse community  of learners, teachers, and employees who are passionate about changing the world through education and striving for maximum impact in the field of education.

Gutman Library seeks a collaborative and user-centered Special Collections Librarian and Archivist to develop, manage, and promote use of the Library’s Special Collections. 

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director for Scholarly Communication & Collections Librarian, the incumbent administers a unique collection on the history of education in the United States and supports the research and teaching activities of faculty, students, and researchers using the collection. 

The Librarian and Archivist coordinates closely with teams in Gutman Library and collaborates frequently with Harvard Library service units and other special collections and archives repositories on campus.

Position Description

Collection Development and Administration (30%)

• Appraises potential collection additions and makes recommendations for acquisition of new collections, deaccession of existing collections, and prioritization of collection projects. Includes communication with donors.

• Develops the collection to build on strengths and fill gaps, consulting with other Gutman liaisons and HGSE faculty as needed.

• Implements policies and procedures for appraisal, acquisition, processing, disposition, preservation, digitization, and access of materials, including born-digital formats, building on existing standards used in Harvard Library. Includes regular creation and maintenance of documentation.

• Supervises at least one student employee year-round. May hire and manage other staff. 

• Coordinates transfer of materials from research collections to Special Collections and from HGSE to the Harvard University Archives, such as for faculty retirements, administrator vacancies, etc.

• Works collaboratively with Harvard Library Preservation Services and the Harvard Depository to maintain suitable physical conditions for the Special Collections.

• Manages loan and physical exhibition requests from other Harvard repositories and external institutions.

• Collaborates with other education libraries, archives, and special collection repositories or colleagues to provide support to the wider community of education researchers and to develop cross-repository or cross-institution projects. 

Discovery and Access (30%)

• Develops, arranges, describes, and processes archival collections in accordance with accepted standards and practices and considering assessed user needs and library priorities.

• Creates finding aids using contemporary tools in accordance with national standards and ensures the quality of finding aids created by other staff.

• Undertakes copy cataloging and performs basic inventory management. Includes coordinating closely with the Education Metadata Librarian on local practices.

• Coordinates closely with the Special Collections Team on identifying digitization and digital collections projects that meet Gutman Library priorities, including any that can support computational access to collections and linked data initiatives. Includes consulting with other Gutman Library functional and cross-functional teams, such as the Open Scholarship and Research Services Teams.

• Works collaboratively with central Harvard Library units, including Imaging Services, Preservation Services, Media Preservation Services, and Digital Collections Discovery, to manage digitization and digital collections projects. Includes determining the best collection discovery tools, repositories, and platforms to meet project goals and leading the creation of curated digital collections sites on CURIOSity and library.harvard.edu platforms.

Public Services (30%)

• Manages operations of the reading room and on-site storage facilities of Gutman Library Special Collections, including scheduling and supervising appointments and coordinating use of materials in classes.

• Promotes the use of Special Collections through a variety of outreach and advocacy methods at HGSE, Harvard, and beyond leveraging communication platforms and tools such as LibGuides and the Gutman Library website.

• Organizes physical and digital exhibitions of Special Collection materials. 

• Provides research support to faculty, students and researchers studying the history of education.

• Serves as a liaison to academic programs, concentrations, or foundations as assigned.

Other Duties (10%)

• Leads the Gutman Library Special Collections Team.

• Participates in other Gutman Library functional or cross-functional teams as needed.

• Serves as an active member of the Gutman Library Council. 

• Participates in HGSE staff committees or activities.

• Participates in Harvard Library governance structure activities, such as committees, working groups, and discussion groups.

How to Apply

For more information and to apply, please go to the following https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25240&siteid=5341#jobDetails=2008801_5341

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, which schools have the best education programs in the us.

Hello! I'm considering a career in teaching and I want to find a college with a strong education program. Can anyone recommend some of the best education programs in the US and why they stand out? I appreciate any advice!

Hi there! It's great that you're interested in a career in teaching, and seeking colleges with strong education programs is an excellent starting point. While there are many reputable schools with quality education programs across the nation, here are a few top schools to consider:

1. Vanderbilt University (Peabody College of Education and Human Development): Ranked among the top education programs, Vanderbilt offers excellent resources, a comprehensive curriculum, and provides a strong foundation in both theory and practice. Peabody College also has a reputation for its research contributions, which can be an asset for students looking to be on the cutting edge of education.

2. Harvard University (Graduate School of Education): Although Harvard's undergraduate program is limited, their graduate program is well-known for its innovative approach to education and the exceptional faculty. For students interested in pursuing a master's degree or doctorate in education after completing their undergraduate degree, Harvard is a strong contender.

3. University of Pennsylvania (Graduate School of Education): UPenn's education program offers undergraduate degrees and has a highly-regarded graduate program as well. One standout feature is the emphasis on urban education and social impact, which prepares students to address the unique challenges faced by urban schools.

4. University of Michigan (School of Education): This program is known for its commitment to social justice and innovation in education, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. Its curriculum is designed to provide a strong foundation in educational theory, research, and practice. Additionally, the university's partnerships with local schools offer opportunities for hands-on experiences.

5. Stanford University (Graduate School of Education): Similar to Harvard, Stanford's undergraduate program is limited in scope. However, its prestigious graduate program provides numerous research opportunities and boasts accomplished faculty members. Stanford is an excellent choice for students planning to pursue their graduate degrees after completing their undergraduate studies.

These are just a few examples of schools with strong education programs, but there are many more options across the country. When researching the best program for you, consider factors such as faculty expertise, research opportunities, student outcomes, and hands-on experiences. Talk to professors and students at the schools you're interested in, attend open houses or information sessions, and take advantage of any available campus visits to truly get a feel for which program aligns best with your goals and interests. Good luck in your search!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Rehab That Works for Incarcerated People

Share this page, get the latest updates, join our newsletter, subscribe to colloquy podcast, connect with us, related news.

How Federal Pandemic Aid Impacted Schools

New study led by HGSE Profesor Thomas Kane, PhD '91, finds federal relief funds, which will expire this fall, helped with academic recovery, especially in low-income schools, but urges states to help students who still remain behind.

Racial Gap for Americans Nearing Retirement

Karen Dynan, PhD '92, and Doug Elmendorf, PhD '89, explore the effects of the Great Recession on the racial gap in retirement security. 

Watch What Consumers Do, Not How They Feel

Economist Betsey Stevenson, PhD '01, says that, while sentiment about the US economy has been improving, the more reliable indicator is Americans’ ability to spend.

Alumni Named Kavli Prize Laureates

Astrophysicists David Charbonneau, PhD '01 and Sara Seager, PhD '99, and neuroscientist Doris Ying Tsao, PhD '02, will receive a share of the $3M in prizes awarded to eight scientists by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

5 Important Takeaways From The 2024–2025 U.S. News And World Report Best Global University Rankings

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Harvard University

This morning, U.S. News and World Report released their much-anticipated 2024-2025 Best Global University Rankings. These annual rankings are a cornerstone in the field, influencing decisions that range from student applications to institutional funding and providing a glimpse into the current state of affairs in the world of higher education. This list can provide helpful insights into the relative merits of the schools students may be considering adding to their college lists. In order to use this list effectively, however, it is important to understand the nuances of the ranking system and the factors considered therein.

Here is a breakdown of the rankings’ methodology, as well as key takeaways from this year’s list:

Methodology

The U.S. News and World Report Best Global University Rankings are based on a comprehensive methodology that evaluates colleges and universities across thirteen key metrics. These include:

• Global research reputation (12.5%)
• Regional research reputation (12.5%)
• Publications (10%)
• Books (2.5%)
• Conferences (2.5%)
• Normalized citation impact (10%)
• Total citations (7.5%)
• Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited (12.5%)
• Percentage of total publications that are among the 10% most cited (10%)
• International collaboration – relative to country (5%)
• International collaboration (5%)
• Number of highly cited papers that are among the top 1% most cited in their respective field 5%
• Percentage of total publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers 5%

In addition to the overall global rankings and country-specific rankings, U.S. News and World Report published a subject-specific ranking list , evaluating schools’ global positions in over 50 individual disciplines.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024.

These rankings offer quantitative data students can consider when building their college lists, providing a fairly comprehensive picture of universities’ academic prowess and institutional reach. That being said, students using the rankings to build their college lists should note that many of these factors do not capture the qualitative aspects of students’ experiences.

Key Takeaways from the 2024–25 Rankings

1. The number of universities considered rose by more than 10%.

This year, 2,250 universities across over 100 countries were considered—up more than ten percent from the 2,000 schools considered in the previous ranking.

2. Harvard University lands on top.

As in the last cycle, Harvard University claimed the #1 spot in the global rankings list. This prestigious accolade reflects Harvard's unparalleled academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and global influence. Known for its distinguished faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and a tradition of innovation, Harvard continues to set the standard in higher education, making it the leading choice for students and scholars worldwide.

3. The U.S. dominates the rankings for another year.

Nearly half of the top 50 schools in the ranking are located in the U.S., totaling 24 of the top 50 on the rankings list. Additionally, four out of the top five are U.S. schools: Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley. This remarkable achievement underscores the global prestige of U.S. universities, known for their world-class research, innovative academic programs, and extensive resources.

4. UT Austin and Brown University dropped in the rankings.

Both Brown University and The University of Texas at Austin surprisingly dropped in the rankings, falling out of the top 50. Given both schools’ excellence, this shift demonstrates the fierce competition for top spots in the rankings this year.

5. U.S. News and World Report adds new subjects to the rankings.

This year, four new disciplines were added to the subject-specific rankings, including: ecology; green and sustainable science and technology; environmental engineering; and marine and freshwater biology. These additions not only demonstrate the ranking system’s commitment to reflecting the most relevant information in higher education today, but also provide a glimpse into recent trends and changes in the disciplinary offerings at the most prestigious universities in the world.

The 2024–2025 U.S. News and World Report Rankings offer students valuable information regarding the trends in the global higher education landscape. While students should take their personal preferences and the intangible elements of a school’s culture that draw them to a specific school into account, these rankings can be a helpful first step for students as they set their collegiate goals and assemble their college lists.

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

• OU Homepage
• The University of Oklahoma

OU Climbs in Engineering Graduate Program Rankings

Kat Gebauer

Media Contact

Kat Gebauer (405) 325-1860 [email protected]

NORMAN, OKLA. – U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Oklahoma 106th among the best schools for engineering graduate programs, climbing four spots from 110th last year.

“The Gallogly College of Engineering is dedicated to achieving excellence in all we do, from the quality of education our students receive to the ground-breaking research done by our faculty and staff. We are thrilled to see that excellence reflected in our increased ranking,” said Gallogly College of Engineering Dean John Klier.

Placement for systems engineering climbed eleven points, from No. 59 to No. 48. Placement for chemical engineering also climbed, from No. 72 to No. 62 in the nation. In the categories of mechanical engineering, environmental and environmental health engineering, computer engineering and astronautical engineering, OU ranked among the top 100 graduate programs.

View the complete list of U.S. News and World Report’s best engineering schools .

About the University of Oklahoma

Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. OU was named the state’s highest-ranking university in  U.S. News & World Report’s  most recent Best Colleges list .  For more information about the university, visit  ou.edu .

Recent News

Bin wang receives friedrich wilhelm bessel research award.

Bin Wang, a professor in the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, has received a Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Research Award from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center at Norman Regional will Bring Research-driven Cancer Care to More Oklahomans

OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center and Norman Regional Health System celebrated a Topping Out Ceremony for the new cancer care facility on the Norman Regional HealthPlex campus, marking a significant milestone in the construction project and offering the community a first look at the new building.

Meteorology Field Work Offers Life-Changing Opportunities for OU Students

Students from OU's School of Meteorology are out in the field conducting atmospheric research year round. Those opportunities can shape their educations and their future careers.

More OU News

• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• OU Job Search
• Legal Notices
• Resources and Offices
• OU Report It!

Beyond Average

• Posted August 24, 2015
• By Lory Hough

Todd Rose isn’t your average Harvard professor because when it comes to people, the average is a statistical myth, he argues. There is no average. Repeat: There is no average. No average professor. No average worker. No average soldier. No average Joe.

And what might just be the single most important lesson for educators: There definitely is no average student. Not one. Yet, as Rose, Ed.M.’01, Ed.D.’07, a lecturer at the Ed School and director of the Mind, Brain, and Education Program, writes in his forthcoming book, The End of Average , from the moment we’re born to the moment we die, we are measured against a mythical yardstick — the average human — and it’s hurting everyone. That’s why with this book and through his nonprofit, the Center for Individual Opportunity, Rose is on a mission to dismantle this myth of the average and instead help the public understand the importance of the individual.

“We talk so much about the individual, ” he says, “but there’s such a divide between what we say we believe and what we actually do.”

HOW DID WE GET HERE? When it comes to school systems, Rose says it’s no accident how we got here: Schools were designed during the industrial age by people who were “absolutely obsessed” with averages because averages worked so well in managing factories. The goal wasn’t to nurture creativity and develop individuality. The system mostly accomplished what it set out to do: prepare students for standardized jobs in an industrial economy. Since then, we have continued to think that the average — a human invention — represents everyone or that any deviation from the average is what defines you. You’re gifted, and you don’t need as much help, for example.

During the 1950s, the United States Air Force began thinking a lot about averages. At the time, pilots were having trouble controlling their planes. As Rose explains, at first the problem was pinned on pilot error and poor training. But the real problem turned out to be the cockpit or, more specifically, the fact that the cockpit had just one design: one for the average pilot of an earlier era, the 1920s.

The Air Force concluded that Americans had gotten bigger over the past couple of decades and they simply needed to update their measurement of the average pilot. With the help of a young Harvard College graduate named Lieutenant Gilbert Daniels, they measured more than 4,000 pilots on 10 dimensions of size that seemed important for fitting into a cockpit — torso length and chest circumference, for example. The thinking was that once they redesigned the cockpit for the average pilot of the 1950s, controlling the plane would no longer be so troublesome. Most pilots, they assumed, would be within the average range on the majority of dimensions and that a good number would even be average on all 10 dimensions.

“Do you know how many really were?” Rose says. “Zero.”

Even when just three dimensions of size were picked, fewer than 3.5 percent of the pilots fell within the range defined by Daniels as average. Instead, what Daniels found is that every single pilot had what Rose calls a jagged profile. One pilot with long arms may also have long legs while another may not. Not everyone who was average height (5 feet 9 inches) had the same chest circumference or head size.

Finally, the Air Force had its “aha” moment: If every pilot had a jagged profile and the cockpit was designed for the average pilot, it was actually designed for no one. Its response was bold — it banned the average and forced reluctant manufacturers to instead design “to the edges, ” meaning a cockpit that would be adjustable for even the extremes — the tallest or the shortest, for those with wide or narrow chests. Manufacturers balked, but once they realized the Air Force wasn’t budging, they figured it out, creating options like adjustable seats.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH EDUCATION? Rose’s “aha” moment came when he was a doctoral student at the Ed School. Based on his own struggles in school, he came to Harvard interested in understanding individuals. But, he says, “like everyone else in psychology and neuroscience, I had been trained to use group-level statistics as an undergraduate to study people.” When he was a teaching fellow for Professor Judy Singer’s statistics class, he remembers having a conversation with her about individuality. She told him that the statistics they were using were not meant to make claims about individuals, but rather about the population at large. Rose started seeing what she meant when he was doing his own research on kids who were struggling to read.

“There would be what the research says these kids should be like, ” Rose says, “and then the reality of their individuality that hits you in the face if you spend even a few minutes with them.”

Rose approached his mentor, Professor Kurt Fischer, one of the leading pioneers in the science of the individual and the brain, to talk about this dilemma — the reality of individual kids and what the research says — and why we think this way.

“Rather than giving me a generic answer about people being too messy or complex, he just said that the root of the problem is our belief in averages — that somehow averages will tell us what we need to know about individuals, ” Rose says. “He really pushed me to accept that understanding individuals means really explaining individuality and variability rather than ignoring it or explaining it away.”

In the context of schools, Rose says that while most of us will never need to worry about the flexibility of a fighter plane, we do need to worry about what he calls “the cockpits of our economy” — classrooms. We’re spending more on education and getting not-so-great results, but instead of looking at design and fit the way the Air Force did, we blame bad teachers. We blame lazy students. We even blame parents.

“But how much of this problem is just bad design?” Rose says. Students are grouped in grades based on chronological age. Curriculum and textbooks are written to be “age appropriate.” Most standardized assessments, like the SAT or IQ test, are designed based on a comparison to a hypothetical average student. Walk into an elementary school classroom and even the literal design of the room is for the “average” kid: one size desk, one size chair, one size table.

But just as there isn’t one size pilot, there isn’t one size student or one way to learn. “Human beings don’t line up perfectly. There is no average learner, ” Rose says. Every student has a jagged learning profile, too.

“They have strengths and weaknesses. They all do, ” Rose says. “Even geniuses do.”

The danger in not understanding and appreciating this, Rose says, is that we will continue not reaching all students. Fischer once told Rose that today’s schools basically fail about 80 percent of students. A student who struggles to read may be talented in physics, but that talent gets lost because math requires reading textbooks and worksheets. A gifted student may get bored and only do the minimal amount of work, which was designed for the average student. As a result, some students fall behind or act out. Others get ignored or eventually drop out. As Rose pointed out in a TedX talk on the topic, of the 1.2 million high-schoolers in the United States who drop out every year, about 4 percent, or 50,000, are known to be gifted. And even if a student “gets through, ” Rose says, he or she may never reach full potential.

Thinking back on his own education, Rose says that poor working memory was something he struggled with and teachers didn’t recognize. As he wrote in his first book, Square Peg , “By not understanding how much people vary in their working memory, teachers force kids constantly to jump through needless hoops, much as if they were obliging their students to ride unicycles between classes. Were that the case, a kid who was a budding genius at math but hopelessly uncoordinated might never be able to get to his class and show what he could do.”

Unfortunately, Rose says, “if we ignore jaggedness, we end up treating people in one-dimensional terms” — the struggling student, the good tester. “If we want to know your intelligence, for example, we give you an IQ test that is supposed to tap a range of abilities, but then we merge that into a single score.” Imagine two young students have the same IQ score of 110 — the exact same number. One has great spatial abilities but poor working memory, and the other has the exact opposite jaggedness. “If we just want to rank them then we could say the students are more or less the same in intelligence because they have the same aggregate scores. But if we wanted to really understand who they are as individuals enough to nurture their potential, we can’t ignore the jaggedness — it is the essential information for providing them with an optimal environment and matching them with optimal strategies for success.”

In order to do this, Rose says that rather than forcing students to fit to the environment, we need to have the environment fit each student, just as the Air Force was only successful when it stopped making pilots fit into to a one-size-fits-all cockpit. Rather than getting mad at a student with poor working memory who constantly forgets to write down homework assignments, a teacher could easily help that kid by verbalizing assignments and writing them down on the white board. Rather than making all students in a grade fill out the same worksheets, assignments could be customized.

BASED ON EXPERIENCE This issue of “fit” is exactly what helped Rose go from being that struggling student, the “troublemaker” with a 0.9 GPA in high school, to a Harvard professor with a doctorate.

“It wasn’t that a switch just got turned on one day, ” he says. He wrote in Square Peg , “I know there was no single intervention that turned my life around. No heart-to-heart talk with a great teacher. No perfectly tailored drug that helped me sit still and concentrate.”

Instead, he adds in his new book, The End of Average , “I gradually realized that if I could just figure out how to improve the fit between my environment and myself, I might be able to turn my life around.”

Fit, he believes, is the birthright of every person.

“Right now because we believe in the myth of average, we believe that opportunity means providing equal access to standardized educational experiences, ” he says. “However, since we know that nobody is actually average, it is obvious that equal access to standardized experiences is not nearly enough to provide equal opportunity. To me, if you accept the reality of individuality, then it means that we have to rethink how we define equal opportunity in education and beyond.”

Equal opportunity, then, requires equal fit between individuals and their educational environments.

“Anything less is inherently and profoundly unequal, ” Rose says. “I believe that we should set a much higher bar for ourselves in the 21st century. If we are going to be a country that cares about equal opportunity, then we must strive to ensure that equal fit is the birthright of every single child in this country. But right now in education we do not take this idea seriously, in part because until recently we didn’t have the science or technology to do it. But we do now. So if you accept the idea of equal fit, then it means something radical for the future of education — it means we cannot accept a system based on averages; it means we cannot accept standardized curricular materials, or simplistic one-dimensional assessments, or fixed amounts of time for learning or one pathway to academic success.”

And now, he says, is the perfect time to focus on individual learning. Using the technology we have on hand, educators can easily create learning environments that are flexible. Language translation programs, for example, can help students — at any school — better sound out puzzling words as they read.

Professor Howard Gardner, one of Rose’s first professors at the Ed School, says, “Todd’s focus on what we know about the individual student and how we can mobilize pedagogical and curricular resources to meet the particular student is of fundamental importance. We are fortunate enough to live at the first time in human history [when] such individualized teaching and learning is not restricted to a tiny wealthy elite but can be distributed far more widely, if not universally.”

Rose says we have already seen how technology has helped scientists around the world understand the individual, leading to major breakthroughs in everything from cancer research to the treatment of diabetes.

“And this only happened after scientists broke through a mental barrier, ” Rose says, “after they recognized this one all-important fact: that you can’t understand individuals using group averages” because there is no average cancer, no average cell, no average genome.

So how do we, as a country entrenched in an education system that distributes standardized tests and groups students based on chronological age rather than rate of learning, break through its mental barriers and start to embrace — and demand — the science of the individual?

Well, if you’re Todd Rose, you start by turning to Hollywood. 

“People in places like Hollywood, they’re used to thinking differently or being told they’re not good enough,” Rose says. “If you want to have a public that understands this new science and this new way of thinking about individuality, then it will require more than just the dissemination of information through usual channels. Instead, you have to get these ideas to permeate the culture — to change the way that people think about themselves and the people around them. To do that, I believe that you need to engage the storytellers in Hollywood because they are in the business of creating culture and changing social norms whether people realize it or not.”

Walter Haas, a founding director at Rose’s nonprofit, specializes in digital marketing and has worked on projects for Levi Strauss and Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign. He says getting the message to people is a first — and critical — step.

“Once you understand the world through the lens of the science of the individual, you can’t see it in any other way, ” he says. “Our goal is to simply allow more people to have that same moment of realization. We do not have the resources, frankly, or the patience to engage in a traditional policy lobbying effort. Instead, we plan to share this science-based idea in an accessible manner to stimulate ground-level demand for institutional reform.”

It’s the same approach, Rose says, that the Harvard Alcohol Project took in the 1980s, when it teamed up with every major movie studio and television network to help launch a new term into society that resulted in demand from the public: the designated driver. With the help of Hollywood, over the course of just four years, more than 160 popular movies and shows like Cheers and L.A. Law added designated drivers into scenes and drunk driving prevention into dialogue. PSAs flooded the market. The term “designated driver” even officially appeared in Webster’s Dictionary in 1991.

“It is such a terrific example of what is possible if you combine a good idea with a clever approach to getting it to the public, ”Rose says, noting that he is starting to team up with Hollywood in the same way.

His nonprofit is also creating partnerships with non-Hollywood groups that can also make a difference, like Teach For America, which places young teachers in high-needs schools, as well as influential companies that create tests for schools. They also plan on creating a free flexible digital textbook that will allow teachers to customize learning for each student.

Eventually, he says, “I want CEOs to say, ‘What’s our plan for this?’ I want schools to say, ‘Wow! We need to get our act together. This is the new thing.’”

The bottom line, Rose says, is that we all need to ask ourselves who we are supposed to be as a country.

“I’m incredibly grateful, even though it wasn’t easy, that I got a second chance, ” he says. “We need all of the potential we can possibly get. We need innovation and creativity. That’s where all of the jobs are. I keep thinking, this letting go of the average and instead focusing on the individual is just in our best interest.”

Ed. Magazine

The magazine of the Harvard Graduate School of Education

Related Articles

Movies, Books, and "The Giver"

What's Worth Learning in School?

Understanding Educational Ethics

See the 10 Richest Universities

Free education for university students is an achievable, worthwhile, wise, and affordable dream. Only misinformation and greedy, powerful individuals keep it from becoming a reality.

That being said, wealthy individuals often donate huge amounts of money not to students attending universities, but to the universities themselves, usually in exchange for a building in their honor or a plaque with their name on it. These donations are added to the university’s endowment fund.

But what is an endowment? An endowment is a fund or investment used for a specific purpose as defined by a donor or a will. Usually, an endowment is kept intact, maintaining its value, and the interest or gain of the endowment is then used for the intended purposes. This means the endowment can be used indefinitely. Endowments are not unique to universities.

So, in the interest of illuminating the world of university endowments, we compiled a list of the ten largest university endowments in the United States.

All these data are taken from the NACUBO and are current as of 2023.

Why Are We Talking About This?

The American university system is complicated and rife with corruption and misinformation. One of the best ways to begin to reform our broken system is to learn about it, how it works, and where it can be improved . Understanding university endowments is just one piece of that process.

#10 University of California

• Size of Endowment: $17.6 billion

The University of California is a system of ten campuses in California, and many research centers and other academic locations. It was founded in 1868. Over 295,000 students attend the University of California.

It costs $41.6 billion every year to operate the University of California, and the state of California covers about $3.4 billion of that. Most of the money to pay for the university comes from the revenue of its medical centers (of course, only in America would for-profit medical facilities be able to pay for a university), in the amount of 39% of the total annual budget.

#9 Michigan

• Size of Endowment: $17.8 billion

The University of Michigan is the oldest university in Michigan, founded in 1817. There are more than 52,000 students who enroll at the university every year.

University endowments are actually a collection of separate and individual funds that can only be spent according to the desires of the people or organizations that donated the money. For the University of Michigan, its endowment is split between 12,400 different funds.

It takes $11 billion to operate the University of Michigan every year, and even though it is a public university, the state of Michigan only contributes to around 3% of the total budget every year. Most of the money (around 58%) needed to run the institution comes from its medical facilities, college athletic programs, and student facilities like housing and publications.

#8 Texas A&M

• Size of Endowment: $19.2 billion

Texas A&M was founded in 1876, as the first public university in Texas, and has the largest student body of any university in the United States with more than 72,982 students every year. It kept the A&M designator to honor its origins even though it is no longer an agricultural and mechanical institution.

The entire Texas A&M University System includes eleven individual universities and multiple additional agencies. It is one of the top military universities in the United States, and most of the students are rich white people.

• Size of Endowment: $20.9 billion

The University of Pennsylvania is a private university founded by Benjamin Franklin 283 years ago in 1740. He created the institution to train the future leaders of America in public service and commerce. It is the fourth-oldest university in the United States. Multiple faculty and students of UPenn were involved in the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.

UPenn has the largest private police force in all of Pennsylvania with more than 117 employees. Its school of education and school of business have been ranked the top professional schools in their area in the United States.

• Size of Endowment: $23.4 billion

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private university based in Cambridge, Massachusetts (obviously). It was founded in 1861 and has around 11,900 students every year.

MIT’s engineering school has consistently ranked #1 in the world for several years. It is one of the top leaders in science, computer science, and engineering in the world. MIT has been a strong proponent of the open-source movement, making its syllabi, exams, lectures, lecture notes, and class content available for free online.

#5 Princeton

• Size of Endowment: $34 billion

Princeton is another private university based in Princeton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1746 and has the largest endowment per student of any university in the world . It has around 8,500 students and costs around $2 billion to operate the university every year .

Princeton has consistently placed at the top or near the top of the best universities in the world, this includes rankings for the best school overall and its engineering, economics, and mathematics schools.

Very unique among American universities, Princeton does not offer academic or athletic scholarships for students and covers all the costs of attending for students from families that earn less than $100,000 per year.

#4 Stanford

• Size of Endowment: $36.4 billion

Stanford is a private university founded in 1885 and is based in Stanford, California. Contrary to popular belief, it is named after Leland Stanford, a wealthy railroad baron, in memory of his son (this was back when rich people actually contributed meaningfully to society instead of building rockets and flamethrowers and buying social media companies because their feelings got hurt).

If you combine all the companies that were created by alumni of Stanford University, they become the tenth-largest economy in the entire world. Around 17,500 students attend the university every year.

The enormous Stanford endowment only covers around 22% of the university’s annual expenses.

Stanford covers the cost of its high tuition for all students from families earning less than $65,000, and all families earning less than $125,000 per year are not required to pay any room or board costs. Families who earn up to $150,000 per year can have tuition costs significantly reduced. Stanford remains the most selective university in the United States, with an acceptance rate of just 4% of all applicants.

• Size of Endowment: $40.7 billion

Yale University is another private institution in New Haven, Connecticut founded way back in 1701, and the third-oldest university in the United States. The first PhD graduate in the United States graduated from Yale in 1861 and it has the third-largest academic library in the country.

Yale has a long and complicated history when dealing with faculty and students, including ignoring student mental health and dismissing mental health issues, firing professors for getting involved in campus labor issues, and not treating workers with respect. This has led to lawsuits and numerous strikes.

#2 University of Texas

• Size of Endowment: $44 billion

The University of Texas System is an expensive network of nine universities and five health institutions. It is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has over 250,000 students attending every year. It costs more than $26 billion every year to run the system of the University of Texas.

The University of Texas is a public university system and is the largest university system in Texas. As a result, it is also one of the largest healthcare systems with more than 83,000 healthcare professionals employed by the university.

• Size of Endowment: $50.7 billion

Harvard is a private university with three primary campuses and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and founded all the way back in 1636, making it the oldest university in the United States. Its age, consistently high rankings, wealth, and strong influence make it one of the most powerful and prestigious universities on the planet.

Harvard has the largest university endowment of any institution in the world, and only $2 billion of that endowment is used to fund the operations of the university, 22% of the university budget is funded through tuition, fees, and room and board payments.

Smart Investors Are Quietly Loading Up on These “Dividend Legends”

If you want your portfolio to pay you cash like clockwork, it’s time to stop blindly following conventional wisdom like relying on Dividend Aristocrats.

There’s a better option, and we want to show you. We’re offering a brand-new report on 2 stocks we believe offer the rare combination of a high dividend yield and significant stock appreciation upside.

If you’re tired of feeling one step behind in this market, this free report is a must-read for you.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team .

Editors' Picks

The Most Expensive College in America

• Faculty Issues
• Academic Freedom

A Dean Called for Silencing Harvard’s Faculty Critics. He’s Been Roasted.

Lawrence D. Bobo’s argument that professors should face sanctions for inciting “external actors” to “intervene” at the university has been roundly lambasted. But it tapped into an ongoing debate: When is   outside intervention warranted?

By  Ryan Quinn

You have / 5 articles left. Sign up for a free account or log in.

Lawrence D. Bobo, dean of Harvard University’s Division of Social Science, has angered faculty members and others outside the university with his op-ed.

In this moment of intense public and political scrutiny of American higher education, Harvard University has been a major mark.

The day of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, over 30 Harvard student groups signed a letter saying they “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.” Since then, the university has faced continual scrutiny from media, donors, conservative activists, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, members of Congress and its own faculty members. Harvard’s then president Claudine Gay was among the first university leaders to be called to testify before Congress. There have been allegations of campus antisemitism, accusations of plagiarism against Gay and further criticisms that the university didn’t properly defend itself or Gay against the critics.

Gay resigned in early January following her widely panned congressional testimony on campus antisemitism, fueling more criticism of the university for how it handled the accusations against its first Black president. And the hits have kept coming at Harvard, including a subpoena from House Republicans in their still-ongoing antisemitism investigation and a series of New York Times articles about continued controversies over resignations or threatened resignations from Harvard’s successive advisory groups on countering antisemitism.

Amid these public conflagrations, prominent faculty members such as Steven Pinker and former Harvard president Lawrence Summers have been outspoken in their critiques of the university’s handling of antisemitism complaints and its response to pro-Palestine campus protests. In a January post on X, where he has over 300,000 followers, Summers said his “confidence in Harvard leadership’s ability and will to confront antisemitism and the demonization of Israel continues to decline. Unfortunately, it is becoming ever clearer why Harvard ranks first on antisemitism, even as it ranks last on upholding free speech.”

Then, on June 15, Lawrence D. Bobo, dean of Harvard’s Division of Social Science, called for the faculty to stop publicly airing their grievances. Writing in the Harvard Crimson student newspaper, Bobo decried “the appallingly rough manner in which prominent affiliates, including one former university president, publicly denounced Harvard’s students and present leadership.” He then posed two questions and answered them himself.

“Is it outside the bounds of acceptable professional conduct for a faculty member to excoriate university leadership, faculty, staff or students with the intent to arouse external intervention into university business? And does the broad publication of such views cross a line into sanctionable violations of professional conduct?” Bobo asked. “Yes it is and yes it does.”

Bobo further wrote that “as the events of the past year evidence, sharply critical speech from faculty, prominent ones especially, can attract outside attention that directly impedes the university’s function. A faculty member’s right to free speech does not amount to a blank check to engage in behaviors that plainly incite external actors—be it the media, alumni, donors, federal agencies, or the government—to intervene in Harvard’s affairs.”

His call for faculty members to shut up in public immediately backfired. Instead of stifling faculty criticism, Bobo ended up attracting more denunciations of both himself and Harvard, alongside a torrent of articles published in one of those “external actors”—the media—excoriating him and, sometimes, the institution as well.

Steven McGuire, the Paul and Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom at the conservative American Council of Trustees and Alumni, told Inside Higher Ed that Bobo “himself has done exactly what he’s saying faculty should be punished for.” McGuire said Bobo’s “response to the criticisms just further exemplifies that the criticisms are justified.”

The morning after Bobo’s op-ed appeared, Conor Friedersdorf, an Atlantic staff writer, posted on X that “Bobo’s op-ed has incited me, an external actor, to publicly lament the subset of Harvard leaders who neither understand nor support free speech. By his logic, I guess he needs to be sanctioned.”

The next day, Minding the Campus, a website sponsored by the conservative National Association of Scholars, published a response to Bobo from McGuire and Samuel J. Abrams, a politics professor at Sarah Lawrence College. “Instead of recognizing that Harvard is under intense scrutiny and suffering a reputational crisis because it has proven itself to be morally and intellectually corrupt,” they wrote, “Professor Bobo thinks the way to restore calm to campus is to weaken the academic freedom of Harvard’s faculty even further.”

But this didn’t end up being only a conservative pile-on. The Crimson and The Boston Globe wrote news articles on the backlash, and on June 19, the leaders of Harvard’s own Council on Academic Freedom, a faculty group that formed in March 2023, denounced Bobo’s op-ed in another piece in the Crimson . The leaders said it was “an unprecedented repudiation of the principle of academic freedom” and that it’s “downright alarming that such a stunning argument would come from a dean who currently wields power over hundreds of professors—without indicating that he would refrain from implementing his views by punishing the faculty he oversees.”

Editors’ Picks

• University of Arizona’s Controversial UAGC Consolidation Moves Forward
• A New Guide for Responsible AI Use in Higher Ed
• Higher Ed Has Questions for Biden and Trump

Last Wednesday also brought another conservative critique, but one from another significant newspaper. The Wall Street Journal ’s editorial board opined that “Harvard has some slow learners, especially in the dean’s office.”

Friday brought a double whammy. The Atlantic published an opinion piece by a co-president of the Council on Academic Freedom at Harvard saying Bobo had called for a “frontal assault on academic freedom.” And The Chronicle of Higher Education ran another opinion piece (headline: “A Harvard Dean’s Assault on Faculty Speech”) by the founding chair of the Academic Freedom Alliance as the central story on its website.

In response to Inside Higher Ed ’s requests for an interview or to answer written questions, Bobo initially emailed the same statement he sent the Crimson . It said, “The Crimson op-ed expresses my personal views as a member of the faculty, seeking to put important questions before the wider Harvard community.” On Tuesday, he provided Inside Higher Ed , through a spokesman, a slightly longer statement saying his op-ed “was not intended as a policy statement for the Division [of Social Science] or the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.”

In the online outlet Persuasion , Alex Morey—who leads the campus rights advocacy team at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a free speech group that rates Harvard “abysmal” in its College Free Speech Rankings—called Bobo’s statement that he was speaking as a faculty member “icing on the multi-layered irony cake.” Morey wrote that “there’s another name for that: academic freedom.”

A Harvard spokesperson wrote in an email that Bobo’s views “are his own and do not represent a position of Harvard University.” But while public criticism of Bobo’s call to muzzle faculty members was universal, buried under the avalanche of denunciations is an ongoing debate: When should “external actors” intervene in universities, and which kinds of external actors should have this right? It’s something that free speech advocates—some of whom could be called external actors themselves—disagree over.

Everyone’s a Critic

Last year, before Oct. 7 and the ensuing campus tumult, Princeton University’s conservative James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions released the “ Princeton Principles for a Campus Culture of Free Inquiry .” The principles—despite the name, they haven’t been endorsed by the university’s leaders—go beyond the widely adopted Chicago principles on campus free expression.

The Princeton principles say it can’t always be left to those on campus to ensure that free speech and academic freedom prevail. They explicitly open the door to outside intervention for the express purpose of defending “free inquiry.”

“If there is clear and convincing evidence that faculty members and administrators are not adequately fulfilling their responsibilities to foster and defend a culture of free inquiry on campus, other agents including regents, trustees, students and alumni groups in the wider campus network may and indeed should become involved,” the Princeton principles say.

The principles further say that “trustees and regents should also oppose and resist government mandates that would harm the honest pursuit of truth and the cultivation of free inquiry, such as bans on disfavored topics and subjects.” But the principles don’t completely rule out government intervention, saying it “should be a last resort” and can “legitimately prohibit speech codes and related policies that inhibit or punish speech protected by free speech jurisprudence and academic freedom.”

Donald Downs, the Alexander Meiklejohn Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and one of the principles’ developers, said Bobo’s op-ed is “the opposite of everything we stand for.” Downs said the principles—like the more well-known free speech statements—say academic freedom should extend to professors speaking about their own university. He argued university professors are in positions to know more about what’s going on inside their institutions.

Downs denounced external intervention into classrooms. “That would be the end of academic freedom—that you can start dictating what’s taught in class—you know, there’s been enough of that internally going on with DEI offices,” he said. Pointing to Florida, where an attorney defending a state law this month went as far as saying the Legislature could prevent professors from criticizing Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration in their classrooms if it wanted to, Downs said, “What DeSantis is doing is destructive, and he’s giving a bad name to the free speech movement in the process.”

But, as for when external intervention is justified, Downs said, “Any external involvement should be to ensure protecting academic freedom.”

The definition of an “external actor” is itself in dispute. Unlike Bobo, McGuire, with the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, said he “wouldn’t necessarily call donors, and certainly not alumni, external actors.” Universities interact with alumni to benefit from their donations, their prestige and their ability to place graduates in jobs, McGuire said, “so I think to turn around and say that alumni are external actors is actually insulting and shortsighted.”

“To suggest that these are external actors that are illegitimately pressuring the university I think is incorrect and doesn’t give alumni and donors their due as people who are contributing to the Harvard community,” McGuire said. “To take somebody’s money,” and then call them external actors when they raise concerns about how it’s used, “I think is ungrateful,” he said.

Further, McGuire noted that Harvard, while a private institution, is still tax-exempt and subject to federal laws such as Titles VI and IX. Universities, he said, need to recognize that “they exist in the midst of a community and they owe things to the community beyond their campus.”

The American Association of University Professors has strongly resisted outside interference in universities by pretty much anyone. “The operation of the institution, generally speaking, especially academic matters, should be left to primarily faculty and the administration and governing board,” said Michael DeCesare, a senior program officer with the AAUP’s Department of Academic Freedom, Tenure and Governance. DeCesare said alumni and donors may have interests that “may very well be at odds with the interests of the institution in education, so I would be concerned about external influence, really, under any circumstances.”

And it’s because universities serve a greater community, DeCesare said, that their independence is critical. “Colleges and universities are supposed to be autonomous institutions; they’re supposed to be conducted for the common good, and that’s why their autonomy is so important to maintain,” he said.

Summers, the former Harvard president, said it’s “very surprising and troubling that the university’s leadership has not rejected [Bobo’s] notion after it has been energetically put forward by someone who has authority over salary setting, promotions and the allocation of resources.” But, Summers also said, “the question of external actors is a very complex one.”

“Donors obviously have the option of funding the university or not funding the university and for centuries have given gifts with specific terms,” Summers said. “Harvard and other universities have celebrated Title IX interventions in university policy and supported various other regulations on universities.”

Summers concluded, though, that it’s wrong “when any external actor tries to purge any particular set of ideas—as the unhappy history of McCarthyism and much else suggests.”

Teaching Tip: A More Strategic Syllabus Day

Rather than reviewing syllabus material, instructors can consider these five ideas to implement on the first day of c

Share This Article

More from academic freedom.

Florida Argues It Could Stop Professors From Criticizing Governor

A nationally prominent conservative lawyer, hired to defend the state’s Stop WOKE Act, asserted that what public univ

Do Law Review Editors Have Academic Freedom?

Tom Ginsburg and Aziz Z. Huq argue that they do.

UNC Fires Professor They Secretly Recorded

The university recorded Larry Chavis’s class without his consent for a professional review.

• Become a Member
• Sign up for Newsletters
• Learning & Assessment
• Diversity & Equity
• Career Development
• Labor & Unionization
• Shared Governance
• Books & Publishing
• Financial Aid
• Residential Life
• Free Speech
• Physical & Mental Health
• Race & Ethnicity
• Sex & Gender
• Socioeconomics
• Traditional-Age
• Adult & Post-Traditional
• Teaching & Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital Publishing
• Data Analytics
• Administrative Tech
• Alternative Credentials
• Financial Health
• Cost-Cutting
• Revenue Strategies
• Academic Programs
• Physical Campuses
• Mergers & Collaboration
• Fundraising
• Research Universities
• Regional Public Universities
• Community Colleges
• Private Nonprofit Colleges
• Minority-Serving Institutions
• Religious Colleges
• Women's Colleges
• Specialized Colleges
• For-Profit Colleges
• Executive Leadership
• Trustees & Regents
• State Oversight
• Accreditation
• Politics & Elections
• Supreme Court
• Student Aid Policy
• Science & Research Policy
• State Policy
• Colleges & Localities
• Employee Satisfaction
• Remote & Flexible Work
• Staff Issues
• Study Abroad
• International Students in U.S.
• U.S. Colleges in the World
• Intellectual Affairs
• Seeking a Faculty Job
• Advancing in the Faculty
• Seeking an Administrative Job
• Advancing as an Administrator
• Beyond Transfer
• Call to Action
• Confessions of a Community College Dean
• Higher Ed Gamma
• Higher Ed Policy
• Just Explain It to Me!
• Just Visiting
• Law, Policy—and IT?
• Leadership & StratEDgy
• Leadership in Higher Education
• Learning Innovation
• Online: Trending Now
• Resident Scholar
• University of Venus
• Student Voice
• Academic Life
• Health & Wellness
• The College Experience
• Life After College
• Academic Minute
• Weekly Wisdom
• Reports & Data
• Quick Takes
• Advertising & Marketing
• Consulting Services
• Data & Insights
• Hiring & Jobs
• Event Partnerships

4 /5 Articles remaining this month.

Sign up for a free account or log in.

• Sign Up, It’s FREE

40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 01 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development .

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy , with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

Was this page helpful?

Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

Share this Fact: