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  1. Economist Podcasts
  2. School of shock: teenagers get dimmer
School of shock: teenagers get dimmer

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer

Economist Podcasts · Sep 8, 2026

Why teens' test scores are dropping, Miami is booming, and what a British radio show tells us about the public mood.

UK Phone-In Radio Shows Act as Early Indicators for National Policy Debates

Before issues gain traction in parliament or official inquiries, they often surface in public discourse on phone-in radio shows. Topics like mass fly-tipping and online safety were concerns for callers long before they became legislative priorities, demonstrating the medium's power as a barometer of the public mood.

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer thumbnail

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Miami’s Luxury Real Estate Boom Ignores Uninsurable and Extreme Climate Risks

A surge in multi-million dollar home sales is fueling Miami's economy, yet these properties are often uninsurable. They are built on flat, low-lying land, making them indefensible against rising sea levels and hurricanes. This creates a high-stakes paradox where immense wealth is being staked on a geographically precarious future.

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer thumbnail

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Asian Education Systems Prioritize Fewer, Better-Paid Teachers Over Smaller Class Sizes

Contrary to the Western obsession with reducing class sizes, successful Asian countries focus on attracting and retaining high-quality educators by paying them more and training them more intensely, even if it means larger classes. This investment in teacher quality yields a better return for educational outcomes.

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer thumbnail

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

Weaker Students Use AI as a Crutch, Not a Learning Tool, Threatening Educational Outcomes

Early data suggests that students who are already struggling academically are more likely to use AI simply to get answers rather than as a tool to aid their learning. Without careful oversight from educators, this could exacerbate existing educational disparities and serve as a further drag on student performance.

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer thumbnail

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer

Economist Podcasts·a month ago

England’s Schools Buck Global Decline by Returning to "Knowledge-Rich" Curricula

While many education systems are in decline or shifting focus to "soft skills," England has seen stable or improved test scores. This relative success is attributed to a controversial return to more traditional, fact-filled curriculums, tougher inspections, and tested teaching methods, suggesting this approach warrants reconsideration.

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer thumbnail

School of shock: teenagers get dimmer

Economist Podcasts·a month ago