In between quoting the New Testament, name-dropping Marilynne Robinson, and singing "Amazing Grace," the president gives a subtle shout-out to social science research from his old employer. Read more
From the 1940s through today, librarians have lamented the color of kid's lit. The market might not provide diversity, but you can find it at your local library. Read more
Law, banking, and consulting firms have their choice of some of the smartest people in the world—but what they're really looking for is someone cool to kick back with (or work until 3 a.m. with). Read more
In some of America's largest cities, low-poverty black neighborhoods share similar outcomes to high-poverty white neighborhoods. But there's a glimmer of hope in high-school graduation numbers. Read more
For generations, Chicago's private power brokers have tried to shape the school system according to the management principles of the day, whether it's the hierarchies of 19th-century industry or the disruption of 21st-finance. Read more
The effects of lead poisoning show up on rap sheets and grade books, and Chicago has long had some of the worst problems with it in America. The costs of remediation are substantial, but the savings could be much greater. Read more
The principal-training consultants who received the $20 million contract, the focus of a federal investigation, got seed funding from the Chicago Public Education Fund—whose board is a who's-who of Chicago power brokers. Read more
Four striped hyena specimens, preserved by the legendary taxidermist Carl Akeley, were exiled to a bland, bleak corner of the Reptile Hall for decades. If the museum's Indiegogo campaign goes well, they'll get a new home—and a new story. Read more
