Cutting school... by 20%

Squishy, slimy, fidgety toys are having a moment. But it’s more than just an anxiety-soothing, social-media fueled trend – these toys are reshaping how toys get made.Today on the show, we have the story of the once-humble squishy dumpling and what it teaches us about how to make ...  Show more

Let’s call it the luxury of restraint. This is what enabled Norway to avoid the fate of so many other countries when they discovered oil and it changed the mix of their economy overnight.Norway! It’s expensive, wealthy, and abundant in resources. We’re going to compare two of the ...  Show more

Across the country, public schools are facing steep declines in enrollment, while the movement to use public funds for private education grows.

Dana Goldstein, who covers education and families for The New York Times, explains why so many parents are using taxpayer money ...

Some of the country’s largest school districts have already made the decision to go online-only for this coming school year. Many are talking about hybrid models that combine distance and in-person learning. But whether they're online or in the classroom, teachers will bear the b ...  Show more

For years, most states have reported a shortage of special education teachers. Now, according to federal data, nearly every state is struggling to hire qualified educators. And when schools can't find a licensed teacher, they hire people who are willing to do the job, but lack th ...  Show more

The Alpha School in Austin, Texas is hoping to revolutionise education forever, swapping teachers for laptop lessons and AI, and motivating pupils with cold, hard cash. Is this the future of education?Guest: Danny Fortson, Co-host of The Times Tech Podcast and The Sunday Times' W ...  Show more