"Thinking About 'Grit' as Something to Be Taught Isn't Effective":...

column | EdSurge Podcast

"Thinking About 'Grit' as Something to Be Taught Isn't Effective": EdSurge Podcast Q&A With Paul Tough

By Mary Jo Madda (Columnist), Blake Montgomery and Tony Wan     May 31, 2016

"Thinking About 'Grit' as Something to Be Taught Isn't Effective": EdSurge Podcast Q&A With Paul Tough

Here’s a four letter word that’s been in the news and education articles a fair amount over the past years. The word is “grit,” and it’s something that Paul Tough, the author of "How Children Succeed" and "Whatever It Takes," addresses in his most recent book, "Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why."

Tough is a frequent commentator on school reform, low-income communities, parenting and politics, but in this particular book, he takes on the concept of “grit” and asks a crucial question: Is grit something that can be taught in the classroom?

A few weeks ago, Paul Tough made his way to the NewSchools Venture Fund Summit in California, and EdSurge’s own Tony Wan got the chance to sit down with him to get the story behind the book, and what it’ll really take to help children succeed—whether grit can be taught, or not. Check out the podcast interview below.

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