Education & Work

Most #CommunityCollege trustees we surveyed see economic development as central to their mission—but only half have helped grow local economies. 💡 How can more trustees build on that work? Our new research with ACCT explores their unique role in strengthening #colleges and regional partnerships.

Since #ESSA took effect in 2018, 31 states have changed their #EnglishLearner reclassification rules. But what does that mean for students? In the ☝🏽st of a ✌🏽-part series, @lesvillegs.bsky.social analyzes these complex policies and lays out how the process can be more responsive to students’ needs.

How One State Is Fixing Bureaucratic Hurdles for English Learners: New legislation in California helps the state catch up and lead in reclassifying English learners.

🔎 Not every threat to #EdEquity is easy to spot. As advocates set priorities for the coming legislative season, our #K12 finance expert @zahavastadler.bsky.social explains how hidden “trapdoors” can influence which resources reach students. And how better policy can help seal them up.

A new national report by @newamerica.org and ACCT reveals that while community college leaders view economic development as core to their mission, funding shortfalls, poor federal communication, and #AI anxiety prevent boards from effectively driving local innovation ecosystems.

Great book event in the DC area tonight! Demystifying Disability at People's Book in Takoma Park. Featuring author Emily Landau and my @educationwork.newamerica.org colleague @carriegill.bsky.social www.newamerica.org/events/demys...

ED Restricts Membership for Cosmetology Accreditor The Education Department’s accreditation advisory committee recommended stripping the accreditor of federal recognition. But senior officials stopped short of that recommendation. https://bit.ly/4emT6Ro

We're beyond honored to host @emilyladau.bsky.social to celebrate the revised edition of her classic Demystifying Disability. We'll have light snacks and a panel of experts to learn from -- thank you @newamerica.org! We hope to see you there! RSVP: withfriends.co/event/293849...

A growing number of students in the nation’s schools have #disabilities, new data shows, and they are more likely to experience restraint, seclusion and other discipline. #SpecialEducation #IEP #504

As policymakers set school budgets this fall, it’s important that they watch out for overlooked rules that quietly undermine equity and affect the resources students receive. 📋 Here, our school finance expert @zahavastadler.bsky.social offers a practical checklist for examining #K12 funding policy.

AccelerateMS seeks $2.5M budget increase to expand staff and workforce programs The request comes as the state prepares for thousands of jobs to open in the next decade. https://mississippitoday.org/2026/10/14/acceleratems-budget-increase-request/

Retraining workers for an AI-driven economy is important. ↘️ But here, our #tech policy fellow Amanda Ballantyne, who also founded the @aflciotech.bsky.social, explains why #workers need much more than protections from AI's consequences. They need the power to shape its very future.

A university-branded boot camp promised tech jobs. Then the worst happened. slate.trib.al/sutmP28

Respected colleges supported a controversial cybersecurity training program that abruptly shut down

Really interesting and thought-provoking @newamerica.org in-depth report from Amanda Ballantyne about how to give working people standing in shaping the future of AI. www.newamerica.org/insights/wor...

Despite Concerns, IES Spent 99% of Expiring Funds Some experts say the Education Department is front-loading grants, and they worry the practice could harm education research more broadly. https://bit.ly/4zOv22n #EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

Through @educationwork.newamerica.org build4good initiative, students work with nonprofit partners and experienced mentors on high-impact tech projects while exploring careers in public interest technology and social impact. 💻 Explore build4good: https://go.newamerica.org/build4good-resource-5

“We conceptualize [academic] content and language as if they are sort of separable, as if [English learners] can sort of go over here and learn some language and then you’ll go over to your science class, and you’ll just use that language. And really, they’re intertwined with one another.”

A number of states have passed really important school funding formula reforms in the last several years. So why do some inequities persist? Lots of little reasons--and this guide can help state advocates and policymakers find and seal those "equity trapdoors."

As National Default Rate Stays Low, Other Data Offers Warning For the first time in four years, the national default rate ticked up slightly. One expert warns other data on nonrepayment is a “canary in the coal mine of what could be to come.” https://bit.ly/4ysA0Bo #EDUSky #AcademicSky #HigherEd

Reading together is a low-barrier, high-reward way for families to connect. Sarah Gilliland explores how public libraries and book donation programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library can make reading more accessible. 📚 Read The Thread: https://go.newamerica.org/parent-library-card-5

Sometimes unexpected policies can create “equity trapdoors,” or places where fairness falls out of the school funding system. 🛠️ 🕳️ 🛠️ This new guide from our Education Funding Equity Initiative shows states where to find them and how to “seal” them up.

How can states fill teacher vacancies quickly without compromising #TeacherPrep? 📃 Last week, we released new insights about what happened as Texas lowered the bar to lead a classroom over time. Can other states facing #teacher shortages learn from its experience?

Policy expert Richard Davis Jr. breaks down what our research w/ @evictionlab.bsky.social at @princeton.edu indicates about housing insecurity among parenting students. 🏫 Learn more about @educationwork.newamerica.org's Student Parent Initiative: http://go.newamerica.org/student-parent-initiative-5

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To meet staffing needs, Texas lowered the bar to becoming a #teacher, allowing some to lead classrooms with no hands-on training—and some without any training at all. ⭐ In our latest report, @melissatooley.bsky.social digs into what happened and why it led the Lone Star State to change course.

College Leaders Prepare to Administer Workforce Pell as ED Approves Programs Institutions have to ensure that their financial aid officers and software systems are ready to administer aid for short-term programs and that students know the opportunity exists. https://bit.ly/4hoS89o #AcademicSky

Average SAT scores rose 16 points this year. But a big chunk of that gain came from a change in who took the test, not what students know. san.com/cc/sat-score...

Thank you too @newamerica.org for having me on as a moderator to discuss successful voting for disabled people.

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Glad to share this 1st piece by @educationwork.newamerica.org's Virginia Spinks about how the Trump admin is messing with the #Census, threatening rural areas, democratic representation, & civil rights enforcement. Shoutouts to reporting from @hansilowang.bsky.social and @laylaayanna.bsky.social!

ICYDK: The Cohort Default Rate is the only #college accountability metric focused on #StudentLoan outcomes. 📃 Last week, we released a new primer with @thirdwayedu.bsky.social that breaks down how it works, how it’s changed, and how it protects both borrowers and taxpayer dollars.

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New federal loan limits restrict borrowing for graduate degrees in many fields, and prospects for private loans are also grim