Study of how to better U.S. high schools wins education award

How can American high schools move away from rote learning and testing and help students become critical thinkers ready to take on the challenges of modern life?

Educators Jal Mehta and Sarah Fine, who spent six years researching the issue at 30 U.S. high schools, have co-won the 2020 Grawemeyer Award in Education for ideas set forth in their book, “In Search of Deeper Learning: The Quest to Remake the American High School.” Harvard University Press published the prize-winning book in April.

Mehta is a professor at Harvard University Graduate School of Education. Fine prepares teachers at High Tech High Graduate School of Education, which is linked with a network of diverse charter schools in San Diego.