Carolyn Heinrich

Media Appearances

• Anderson County grade fixing scandal takes down principal, football coach

  The online programs, purchased by county school boards, have been the subject of controversy in recent years for their lack of oversight by state education officials and the ease with which grades can be manipulated, according to Carolyn Heinrich, a professor of Public Policy and Education at Vanderbilt University.

  June 24th, 2024

• Tennessee should invest in students' mental health needs over expanding school vouchers

  The Tennessee state legislature has approved a state budget that includes $144 million to create a statewide school voucher program, which is no longer on the table for implementation this year. Although Gov. Bill Lee intends to pursue education freedom scholarships again next year, some of those funds could be allocated to cope with a financial crisis that will be looming for many school districts across the state when the next school year begins.

  May 3rd, 2024

• What are the top concerns parents have for their children in Tennessee?

  The results are in for the annual poll of Tennessee parents from the Vanderbilt Center for Child Health Policy. What are the top concerns parents have for their children? On this episode of MorningLine, Nick Beres is joined by Carolyn Heinrich, PhD, University Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Education at Vanderbilt and Kelsey Gastineau, MD, MPH, Pediatric Hospitalist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to discuss their findings.

  March 7th, 2024

• Tennessee parents don't feel safer about schools, nearly a year after Covenant shooting

  “Schools across Tennessee are reporting higher levels of anxiety and depression among students and are responding by strengthening both academic and mental health supports available on campus for students,” said Carolyn Heinrich, professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University, and member of the Center for Child Health Policy.

  February 12th, 2024

• Researchers examine mental health services in Tennessee schools

  “We’re seeing these issues in children at younger and younger ages. We had people in the field telling us that they’ve seeing children as young as kindergarten talk about suicide,” said University Distinguished Professor of Leadership, Policy and Organizations Dr. Carolyn Heinrich.

  June 13th, 2023

• Nashville GRAD, Flex provide a pathway to success for community college students | Opinion

  Nashville State Community College is seeing tremendous success with two programs that provide academic and financial supports to college students. The programs, Nashville GRAD and Nashville Flex, are garnering attention on the national stage for contributing to remarkable rates of student persistence in college. Providing resources to expand them would be a wise community investment for our city and state’s residents and workforce.

  April 24th, 2023

• Credit recovery becomes key strategy for Detroit district’s graduation rate boost

  Carolyn Heinrich, a professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University, found in her research into credit recovery programs that students least prepared academically were more likely to be set back by or struggle with online remedial courses, particularly those far behind grade level in core subjects.

  March 28th, 2023

• 5 Ways to Make Online Credit Recovery Work Better for Struggling Students

  The way districts design their online credit recovery systems can make a big difference in whether the programs provide needed support for struggling students—or just an empty credit. Here are five ways administrators can improve their online credit recovery programs, according to Carolyn Heinrich, a professor of public policy, education, and economics at Vanderbilt University and author of the study.

  June 7th, 2022

• 'Instilling confidence' in struggling students: A look inside Nashville's new tutoring program

  When it comes to tutoring or remediation for students who are performing below expectations, how much tutoring a child gets matters, said Carolyn Heinrich, chair of the leadership, policy and organizations department at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College.

  March 31st, 2022

• Vanderbilt poll: Mental health conversations are needed as children's screen time increases

  "Children’s screen time can have both positive and negative impacts on their knowledge and intellectual development," said Carolyn Heinrich, PhD, Patricia and Rodes Hart professor of Public Policy, Education, and Economics at Vanderbilt University. "For example, experimental research confirms the potential for positive effects of educational screen media on children’s cognitive development; however, if screen time for entertainment displaces educational uses, especially when children are learning to read, the net effect may be harmful."

  February 18th, 2022