Policy Solutions: Education policy reform for the hip-hop era

Abstract

Fifty years after the birth of hip-hop, Jonathan E. Collins considers how hip-hop can transform U.S. education. Many schools have barred hip-hop and disciplined students who use it. But these restrictions have been built on flimsy premises that ignore the beauty and complexity of the art form. Embracing and incorporating hip-hop can improve student engagement, particularly among Black students, and help schools forge stronger connections with the community.