The Heritage Foundation will host an event on Thursday, June 18, 2026, to address the challenges facing children due to the long-standing "one-size-fits-all mass schooling model" in the United States. Experts will convene to explore policy solutions aimed at fostering well-educated, mentally, and physically healthy children.
The program will feature creators of Angel Studios' new documentary, "The Death of Recess," which examines the consequences of declining unstructured playtime in American schools. Discussions will delve into how current education structures, including rigid schedules and standardized expectations, negatively impact child development.
Additional topics include the benefits of adequate sleep, healthier school food, rigorous physical education, and reducing overmedication for children who need more play-based learning. Panelists will also highlight alternative educational models, such as homeschooling, and discuss holding teachers' unions accountable. The event will take place at The Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C.