The hottest Education & Policy Substack posts right now

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Pentagon’s Secret Teacher Training Reveals Defiance of White House Directives, Contractors as Backdoor to DEI

OpenTheBooks Substack • 13 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Outside contractors and professional groups are being used to push equity-focused DEI ideas and to turn students into advocates, including guidance that affirms students' gender identities.
  2. Agency staff appear to resist White House anti-DEI directives by renaming programs (for example calling SEL “resilience”) and using contractors and societies as a backdoor to keep the same practices in place.
  3. Parents and policymakers need full transparency of training materials, contracts, and curricula so officials can review partners, cancel misaligned agreements, and rebuild trust.

The PPI wants kids to know that America is good, actually

In My Tribe • 379 implied HN points • 02 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. There's a push to help kids understand and appreciate American traditions and ideals in schools. This focuses on uniting various backgrounds and fostering a sense of belonging.
  2. Many young people today feel less positive about America and democracy compared to older generations. Schools are encouraged to improve how they teach what it means to be American.
  3. The project aims to strengthen institutions as a way to counter radical changes in society. It emphasizes the need for balance and constructive dialogue in teaching about America.

It was a good day in New Zealand yesterday, Friday 24th November.

A B’Old Woman • 519 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. New Zealand's new government is starting to change school curriculums to focus more on academics and less on gender ideology. This means less emphasis on topics around gender and sexuality for students.
  2. Sporting policies are changing to ensure fair competition, which means only biological women will compete in women's sports. This is a response to concerns about men participating in women's categories.
  3. The new government is also taking steps to protect free speech by rejecting hate speech laws and ensuring universities maintain free speech policies. This shows a commitment to open discussions and diverse viewpoints.

DEI versus Asians in STEM

Heterodox STEM • 185 implied HN points • 24 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. DEI policies in STEM often discriminate against Asians because their strong math performance is used to justify limiting their representation. This creates unfair advantages for other groups instead of raising overall math standards.
  2. In sports, we celebrate diverse talent without enforcing racial quotas. Similarly, the focus in academics should be on merit and excellence without penalizing high achievers based on their background.
  3. Addressing educational disparities requires understanding the root causes of performance differences, rather than implementing policies that might reduce opportunities for successful students.
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Rewritten

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Some people believe that modern queer activists are trying to influence children, claiming this openly in videos.
  2. A public figure misrepresented the history of the Stonewall riots, falsely including people who weren't involved.
  3. New laws in California could allow kids to receive mental health treatment without informing their parents, raising concerns about parental rights.

The Effect of Education on Fertility

Bet On It • 176 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🚌 Education Education & Policy
  1. People with higher education tend to have fewer children compared to those with lower education levels. This trend is seen not just in the U.S., but also in many countries worldwide.
  2. Education has a strong influence on fertility rates, with women's education having a greater impact than men's. More educated women often choose to delay or limit having kids.
  3. While some might see education as a good way to control population growth, low fertility rates in developed countries could be a concern for future generations. This shows that education's effects on population are complex.

Race, Sex, and the Limits of Definition

Journal of Free Black Thought • 17 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. The Supreme Court is being pushed to define "sex" for Title IX sports, which forces courts to decide what counts as male or female and how that should be enforced.
  2. There is a core legal tension between upholding sex‑segregated athletics generally and allowing as‑applied challenges when a state's fairness justification might not apply to a specific athlete.
  3. Every possible path—an explicit biological definition, minimalist guidance, state variation, or individualized review—comes with heavy administrative and equality tradeoffs, so the law may not be able to provide a clean, final answer about identity categories.

Punishment and populism

Sex and the State • 18 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. People overestimate how effective punishment is because we punish extreme bad behavior and then see natural regression to the mean as proof that the punishment worked.
  2. Experts who track behavior find rewards are at least as effective as punishment, but that expert view clashes with common-sense beliefs and leaves a gap politicians can exploit by promising to “get tough.”
  3. Fear, scarcity, loneliness, and threat activate punitive, authoritarian instincts and reduce people’s ability to weigh complex evidence, so support for harsh punishment often comes from emotional strain rather than simple lack of intelligence.

🧠 Supporting America's smartest kids: A Quick Q&A with … political scientist Charles Murray

Faster, Please! • 731 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. It's important for America to support and educate its academically gifted kids, especially in STEM fields. These kids can make big contributions to technology and the economy.
  2. Standardized tests are helpful for identifying talented students in mathematics and science. These tests can show who has the right abilities to succeed in tough STEM programs.
  3. Education should challenge gifted students to help them grow. They need to learn the value of hard work and humility alongside their academic strengths.

Links to Consider, 11/27/2024

In My Tribe • 592 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Education systems were designed mainly to instill obedience and maintain social order, rather than to promote skills.
  2. Some cancer screening guidelines avoid discussing life expectancy, potentially putting patients at risk due to a lack of difficult conversations about their health.
  3. David Brooks argues that elite college admissions based on cognitive ability have created a new class society, but fails to recognize the moral arrogance and biases in the current system.

Teachers Became Activists, and Censorship Followed

KERFUFFLE • 31 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🚌 Education Education & Policy
  1. Teachers in public schools have become more openly political and have taken activist roles in classrooms and on campuses.
  2. In response, schools — notably in California — have introduced new speech rules that restrict what students and staff can say about the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
  3. This politicization of education has led to increased censorship and a shrinking space for open discussion of controversial topics.

knowledge for college

bad cattitude • 145 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Subsidizing higher education leads to more debt and inflated costs. When the government gives easier access to loans, colleges raise their prices, making education more expensive for everyone.
  2. Many borrowers don't understand how loans and interest work, leading to financial trouble. It's important for students to learn about money management before taking on debt.
  3. Universities have become less about education and more about ideology. The focus should shift back to critical thinking and quality education rather than just increasing enrollment and funding.

Rebellion!

Disaffected Newsletter • 519 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. A therapist discusses Nevada's focus on 'affirmation only' gender ideology and offers advice on finding a non-activist therapist.
  2. People are starting to resist extreme gender policies in schools, highlighted by principals criticizing students for not supporting LGBTQ events.
  3. There is controversy over schools providing inappropriate materials in libraries, as some believe it harms children despite claims of promoting diversity.

The Great VAT Panic

Comment is Freed • 102 implied HN points • 09 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. The introduction of VAT on private school fees did not cause a mass transfer of students to state schools, contrary to many predictions in the media. In fact, the number of private students only dropped slightly.
  2. While some private schools are struggling, the overall number of private schools has actually increased. Many new schools are opening, especially those catering to students with special educational needs.
  3. The reaction to the VAT policy reveals a disconnect between political lobbying tactics and actual outcomes. Campaigns based on fear and negativity didn't accurately reflect the reality of the situation.

Links to Consider, 12/6/2024

In My Tribe • 273 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Many single young women now believe they are happier being single than married. Furthermore, fewer of them want to become parents, which could change family dynamics in the future.
  2. There are misleading charts about labor compensation and productivity that mix up different measures, which can confuse people about economic realities. It's important to understand the context behind statistics.
  3. Age verification for social media users is a challenge that could potentially be addressed with better technology. However, it's essential to balance the benefits and dangers of social media while enforcing age limits.

puberty disruptors

bad cattitude • 194 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Children are going through confusing times during puberty, and it's normal for them to feel lost. Instead of supporting them through these challenges, some ideas today make them feel like they should question their gender, which can lead to more confusion.
  2. There are serious risks in pushing kids towards gender-changing treatments without fully understanding the consequences. These medical actions can change their lives forever in harmful ways.
  3. Our society needs to focus on helping kids understand that feeling awkward during puberty is okay. We should protect them from ideas that could cause more harm rather than supporting them through their natural development.

Abolishing the Dept of Education

David Friedman’s Substack • 260 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Abolishing the Department of Education could mean different things, like removing it while keeping funding the same, or fully taking away its control and funding.
  2. One suggestion is to give education funds directly to states to let them decide how to use the money, which might keep education more local.
  3. Another idea is to create a voucher program, giving parents the choice of where to send their kids for education, potentially including various types of schools.

DEI Blitz Reaches Buckeye Nation

OpenTheBooks Substack • 177 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Ohio State University is investing a lot of money into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, spending over $13 million on DEI staff last year. This raises questions about the role of DEI in education and its impact on students.
  2. A significant amount of funding for universities comes from foreign sources, with Ohio State reporting millions from countries like China and Saudi Arabia. This highlights concerns about foreign influence on American education.
  3. Despite receiving billions in federal funding, Ohio State still accepted COVID-related financial help, even as other wealthy universities declined such funds. This reflects broader issues regarding financial management in higher education.

Joint University Programs with China Escape Financial Reporting

OpenTheBooks Substack • 157 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Many American universities have received substantial funding from China, potentially beyond hundreds of millions and into the billions. This funding is often linked to joint research programs.
  2. Some universities, like UC Berkeley and Georgia Tech, have faced investigations for failing to report foreign funding accurately. This has raised concerns about national security and the influence of foreign entities in U.S. academia.
  3. There's a call for universities to improve their financial reporting and for Congress to strengthen laws to ensure all foreign funding is disclosed. This is important for protecting U.S. research and technology.

The Having of Wonderful Ideas

Worcester Sucks and I Love It • 117 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. The proposed charter school by Old Sturbridge Village in Worcester is facing pushback due to concerns about how it will harm the public schools and students.
  2. The charter proposal lacks coherence and capacity, with doubts about its ability to deliver on its educational promises, especially for diverse learners.
  3. Approval of the charter would divert significant funds from the District and undermine the gains made by the Student Opportunity Act.

America's Academic Gulag (w/ MIT Student Activists) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 124 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Students at MIT are speaking out against the university's involvement in military research that supports violence. They believe their work should be aligned with ethics and not contribute to harm.
  2. The university administration has been accused of trying to silence dissenting voices by disciplining students who criticize military collaborations. This raises concerns about freedom of speech and the treatment of student activists.
  3. There is a growing call for universities to reconsider their partnerships with the military and to support human rights. Students want their research to promote peace rather than contribute to violence.

Diversity Whack-a-Mole: Controversial DOD Employee Pops Back Up at Education Department

OpenTheBooks Substack • 146 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Kelisa Wing, who was involved in the controversial DEI efforts at the Department of Defense Education Activity, has moved to the Department of Education and is earning a higher salary. This raises concerns about her continuing influence on education policies for a wider audience.
  2. The Pentagon's DEI office was dissolved amid controversy, but a new DEI Steering Committee was created, suggesting ongoing DEI initiatives behind the scenes. There's frustration about the lack of transparency regarding these efforts.
  3. Federal education policies must be clearer and free from objectionable ideologies. There's a push for both transparency in government contracts and for ensuring that education content aligns with American values.

Inexplicable Cuts at the Dept. of Education

The Good Science Project • 107 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. The Department of Education recently canceled many important research contracts worth millions, which could hurt understanding of U.S. education performance. It's like throwing away progress that’s already been made.
  2. Some of the canceled projects were mandated by Congress, meaning they were created to meet specific educational goals. Stopping them now is not only wasteful but also goes against legislative intentions.
  3. High-quality education research is crucial for making informed decisions about teaching and learning. Canceling these studies may leave educators and policymakers without the data they need to improve education.

5 Lessons from Stanford's COVID Conference

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 129 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Education & Policy
  1. Closing elementary schools during the pandemic may have been a bad idea because kids were not significant spreaders of COVID-19. Some experts, like Anders Tegnell from Sweden, believed this from the start.
  2. Many people now agree that long school closures were harmful, but some didn't speak up about it at the time. It shows the importance of questioning popular opinions instead of just following the crowd.
  3. Countries that had less income inequality tended to handle the pandemic better than those with more inequality. Access to basic healthcare might have played a bigger role than strict lockdowns or border closures.

A Declaration of Revival and Redemption

Journal of Free Black Thought • 54 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. There is a call to restore the traditional two-parent family structure in the Black community. This shift is seen as crucial for improving the overall wellbeing of children and families.
  2. The education system is a focus for change, emphasizing the need for school choice and vocational training to better prepare students for success.
  3. The movement advocates for a return to Christian values and community support for initiatives that strengthen families and provide quality education.

Report to House Committee on Antisemitism at Rutgers

Unsafe Science • 54 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Rutgers University has faced criticism for how it handled incidents of antisemitism on campus. Many students involved in protests or acts of hate faced little to no punishment.
  2. In contrast, some Jewish students were disciplined for speaking out against antisemitism. This raised concerns about fairness and protection for all students on campus.
  3. The report highlights specific cases where Rutgers seemed to protect those who promoted violence or hate while punishing those who raised concerns about it. This has sparked significant debate about campus safety and free speech.

Unraveling Autism’s Surge

Who is Robert Malone • 11 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Education & Policy
  1. Autism diagnoses are increasing, and this is believed to be due to broader diagnostic criteria, greater awareness, and social factors, rather than a single biological cause.
  2. Genetics play a big role in autism, but environmental factors also matter. Different influences might activate genetic risks, making each case unique.
  3. The rise in autism could be linked to changes in how we define and categorize the disorder, with some arguing that this shift might lead to over-diagnosis and misses the real needs of individuals.

November 16, 2024

Letters from an American • 25 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. The Department of Education mainly collects statistics and provides funding, but it does not create school curriculums. It helps disadvantaged schools and oversees student loans.
  2. Many conservatives want to eliminate the Department of Education because they believe it promotes ideologies they oppose, especially around race and gender. This push is also linked to a broader movement against perceived government control over education.
  3. Education is seen as critical for democracy, meaning an educated public can better understand and evaluate government policies. Historical figures like Thomas Jefferson emphasized the importance of educating the masses to safeguard freedom.

The State of Student Loan Forgiveness

QTR’s Fringe Finance • 18 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. The Biden administration has canceled around $180 billion in student loans, shifting the financial burden to taxpayers. This means taxpayers might end up paying for loans that borrowers took on.
  2. Multiple student loan forgiveness plans are being implemented, even after some were blocked by the Supreme Court. The government is finding other ways to forgive loans through existing and new programs.
  3. Some plans, like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness, are still active and help many borrowers have their debt wiped out, raising questions about fairness and the future cost to taxpayers.

The Second Largest US Teachers Union Irreparably Harmed US Children

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 05 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. School closures during the pandemic harmed students' academic performance significantly. Many students fell behind in learning, especially low-income and minority children.
  2. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) influenced policies that contributed to negative mental health effects in students. Isolated from peers, many kids faced increased anxiety and depression.
  3. Prolonged school closures also worsened children's physical health. With less access to nutritious meals and physical activities, rates of obesity and related health issues increased.

Help save a life! Is there a US board certified immunologist willing to write a vaccine exemption for a vaccine-injured child?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Education & Policy
  1. Private schools in Texas require all kids to be fully vaccinated, which some argue shows a lack of confidence in vaccine effectiveness.
  2. There are challenges in obtaining vaccine exemptions, especially for those with vaccine injuries, as schools typically want exemptions signed by a specific type of physician.
  3. Texas law allows private schools to set their own vaccination rules, so it’s important for parents to check these policies at each school.

Steering Towards a Low Heat Economy

Anima Mundi • 20 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Education & Policy
  1. Steering towards a Low Heat Economy involves understanding the impact of heat emissions from industries and cities on the environment.
  2. To build a Low Heat Economy, we need to focus on using alternative energy sources like solar and wind power to reduce heat emissions.
  3. Adopting circular economy principles and sustainable practices in agriculture are essential steps towards achieving a Low Heat Economy.

Migrate to survive

Klement on Investing • 2 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education & Policy
  1. Many people move to developed countries seeking better jobs due to economic struggles at home. Climate change and environmental issues can make life harder, driving this migration.
  2. Higher birth rates in a country can lead to more people leaving that country, especially during tough times like famines. Emigration in the past helped countries grow faster by easing population pressures.
  3. Investing in education and foreign aid can help reduce birth rates in countries with high emigration. Better education leads to better job opportunities and lower dependence on having many children.