Bill DeBaun
@billdebaun.bsky.social
Senior Director of 📊💡at the National College Attainment Network. Jack of some trades, including dot connecting. Devoted FAFSA data dork. The snark is mine; my views could also be yours! Happy to chat, reach out!
And still Senate Dems are allowing unanimous consent
January 24, 2026 at 9:05 PM
And still Senate Dems are allowing unanimous consent
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
This sure seems more like the tyranny the Constitution is supposed to protect against than forgiving student loans.
January 24, 2026 at 5:02 PM
This sure seems more like the tyranny the Constitution is supposed to protect against than forgiving student loans.
Trump has been talking for like 90 minutes, which is 30% of the way to how long it would take for Speaker Johnson to have an inkling about anything he said
January 20, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Trump has been talking for like 90 minutes, which is 30% of the way to how long it would take for Speaker Johnson to have an inkling about anything he said
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
Even if we would stipulate that the *only* purpose of college is vocational training (ugh) if you think you, at 18 years old, not only know for sure what your future career will be but also know better than all the professors at a college what skills you will need for that career, why bother?
December 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Even if we would stipulate that the *only* purpose of college is vocational training (ugh) if you think you, at 18 years old, not only know for sure what your future career will be but also know better than all the professors at a college what skills you will need for that career, why bother?
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
This is actually a good example of why the customer model is wrong.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
December 9, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This is actually a good example of why the customer model is wrong.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
I threw all the data into a searchable table. jamessmurphy.com/2025/12/09/w...
FAFSA Reveals Earnings Data for Colleges and Graduates
The Department of Education's new FAFSA changes highlight the alarming number of for-profit institutions where graduates earn less than high school completers.
jamessmurphy.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:42 AM
I threw all the data into a searchable table. jamessmurphy.com/2025/12/09/w...
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
The Department of Education shared data today on IHEs where, 4 years after earning a credential, graduates earned less than peers with only a high school diploma.
What ED didn't shout out was just how many of those institutions are for-profits. So I got the data. jamessmurphy.com/2025/12/09/w...
What ED didn't shout out was just how many of those institutions are for-profits. So I got the data. jamessmurphy.com/2025/12/09/w...
FAFSA Reveals Earnings Data for Colleges and Graduates
The Department of Education's new FAFSA changes highlight the alarming number of for-profit institutions where graduates earn less than high school completers.
jamessmurphy.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:42 AM
The Department of Education shared data today on IHEs where, 4 years after earning a credential, graduates earned less than peers with only a high school diploma.
What ED didn't shout out was just how many of those institutions are for-profits. So I got the data. jamessmurphy.com/2025/12/09/w...
What ED didn't shout out was just how many of those institutions are for-profits. So I got the data. jamessmurphy.com/2025/12/09/w...
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
The thing I try to explain the most to those who don’t live here is that the Nuzzis of the world live in Washington (the place that deserves your ire) and the rest of us live in D.C., a collection of diverse, mostly quiet, walkable residential neighborhoods with no federal representation
I live in DC. You think “official Washington” didn’t care what Trump administration 2 was likely to do?
Talk to someone who works at NIH. Or State. Or CFPB. Or DOJ. They all knew what was at stake. They were all scared + furious.
And reporters like Nuzzi saw none of it because they didn’t care.
Talk to someone who works at NIH. Or State. Or CFPB. Or DOJ. They all knew what was at stake. They were all scared + furious.
And reporters like Nuzzi saw none of it because they didn’t care.
December 8, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The thing I try to explain the most to those who don’t live here is that the Nuzzis of the world live in Washington (the place that deserves your ire) and the rest of us live in D.C., a collection of diverse, mostly quiet, walkable residential neighborhoods with no federal representation
"For many first-generation and low-income students, their best shot at college success is immediately after high school. Using that shot—and the limited Pell dollars that come with it—on a very short program could limit their long-term career opportunities." www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Regulations Must Get Workforce Pell Right (opinion)
Many young people will be better served by going straight to degree programs—not using up their Pell eligibility on short-term programs. The regulations should account for this.
www.insidehighered.com
December 9, 2025 at 3:05 AM
"For many first-generation and low-income students, their best shot at college success is immediately after high school. Using that shot—and the limited Pell dollars that come with it—on a very short program could limit their long-term career opportunities." www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
We first note that hand-wringing about the decline in US college enrollments has mistakenly linked such declines to the price of four-year colleges.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
December 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
We first note that hand-wringing about the decline in US college enrollments has mistakenly linked such declines to the price of four-year colleges.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
Community college enrollment has been declining since 2009/10. The optimal policy response to this depends on the root of this decline.
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
December 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Community college enrollment has been declining since 2009/10. The optimal policy response to this depends on the root of this decline.
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
I'm thrilled @nber.org today released my working paper with Harvard PhD Joe Winkelmann titled:
"Labor Market Strength and Declining Community College Enrollment"
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
Anyone wishing to pontificate about changes in the demand for a college education should be forced to stare at this graph for a bit first
We first note that hand-wringing about the decline in US college enrollments has mistakenly linked such declines to the price of four-year colleges.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
December 1, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Anyone wishing to pontificate about changes in the demand for a college education should be forced to stare at this graph for a bit first
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
LSU is paying its previous football coach over $50 million NOT to coach there while likely guaranteeing Kiffin something approaching double that, all while having an academic hiring freeze and budget cuts across the board. What is the purpose of a university (rhetorical)?
SOURCES: Lane Kiffin is expected to accept LSU's offer to become the Tigers next head coach. Kiffin is set to meet with his Ole Miss team this morning at 9 AM CT. As we reported yesterday morning, LSU has been very confident it was going to land Kiffin. www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Lane Kiffin expected to take LSU job as Ole Miss sets team meeting: Source
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
LSU is paying its previous football coach over $50 million NOT to coach there while likely guaranteeing Kiffin something approaching double that, all while having an academic hiring freeze and budget cuts across the board. What is the purpose of a university (rhetorical)?
Thoughtful, actionable advice for district and schools here. "They Examined 3.3 Million Text Messages on Chronic Absenteeism. Here Are 4 Big Findings" via @the74.bsky.social
www.the74million.org/article/they...
www.the74million.org/article/they...
They Examined 3.3 Million Texts on Chronic Absenteeism. Here Are 4 Big Findings
New report says ‘accessible, timely and specific’ messages to parents, students can trim absences.
www.the74million.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Thoughtful, actionable advice for district and schools here. "They Examined 3.3 Million Text Messages on Chronic Absenteeism. Here Are 4 Big Findings" via @the74.bsky.social
www.the74million.org/article/they...
www.the74million.org/article/they...
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
so currently defectors are:
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
Kaine (2030)
Shaheen (Retiring)
Hasan (2028)
Fetterman (2028)
Durbin (Retiring)
CCM (2028)
Rosen (2030)
King (2030)
November 10, 2025 at 2:43 AM
The coordinated nature of this—none are facing voters in 2026—means that either Schumer approved it or failed in his job as Senate Majority Leader to stop it.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Dems voting "no" get zero credit until they demand a change in leadership. Schumer out as Leader, Durbin out as Whip.
Welp
BREAKING | Truck hauling monkeys carrying hepatitis C, herpes and Covid overturns in Mississippi
Truck hauling monkeys carrying hepatitis C, herpes and Covid overturns in Mississippi
www.independent.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Welp
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
you know, I think most people should not be doing chotiner interviews, but also, I think comms professionals should, on average, fare better than this. yikes.
October 28, 2025 at 12:11 AM
you know, I think most people should not be doing chotiner interviews, but also, I think comms professionals should, on average, fare better than this. yikes.
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
There is so much to unpack here, I don't know where to begin.
🧵
🧵
Parents Fell in Love With Alpha School’s Promise. Then They Wanted Out
In Brownsville, Texas, some families found a buzzy new school’s methods—surveillance of kids, software in lieu of teachers—to be an education in and of itself.
www.wired.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
There is so much to unpack here, I don't know where to begin.
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
someone please tell me he was pressed to say more about what they are actually asking democrats to vote on right now and how the only thing they've actually put on the table is a CR that now would expire in 3 weeks anyway?
Mike Johnson: "Democrats are required to open the government. They keep saying, 'Republicans are in charge of government.' We aren't!"
October 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
someone please tell me he was pressed to say more about what they are actually asking democrats to vote on right now and how the only thing they've actually put on the table is a CR that now would expire in 3 weeks anyway?
"What is, 'nothing'?"
@kenjennings.bsky.social: "correct, still your pick"
@kenjennings.bsky.social: "correct, still your pick"
Q: Is any work being done on a Republican solution to the healthcare cliff?
MIKE JOHNSON: When I say that Republicans have been working on a fix for healthcare, we've been doing this for years. We're doing right now what we have been doing.
MIKE JOHNSON: When I say that Republicans have been working on a fix for healthcare, we've been doing this for years. We're doing right now what we have been doing.
October 27, 2025 at 2:47 PM
"What is, 'nothing'?"
@kenjennings.bsky.social: "correct, still your pick"
@kenjennings.bsky.social: "correct, still your pick"
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
This is a beautiful new locker room at St Pius in Kansas City. They are a private religious school that accepts taxpayer vouchers for partial tuition.
Anyway, the kids at the public school down the road from me learn to run track when they go to track meets — they don’t have a track of their own.
Anyway, the kids at the public school down the road from me learn to run track when they go to track meets — they don’t have a track of their own.
October 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
This is a beautiful new locker room at St Pius in Kansas City. They are a private religious school that accepts taxpayer vouchers for partial tuition.
Anyway, the kids at the public school down the road from me learn to run track when they go to track meets — they don’t have a track of their own.
Anyway, the kids at the public school down the road from me learn to run track when they go to track meets — they don’t have a track of their own.
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
Our president is working overtime to hurt one of our country's most successful export industries (one that I happen to work for).
Fun fact. Trump destruction of soybean exports (rightfully) gets lots of attention. But you know what we sell even more of to China? Education.
2024 soybean exports to China: $13B.
Higher Ed: $14B.
Yes, all those internat’l students count as *exports.* Trump is STILL actively destroying that market.
2024 soybean exports to China: $13B.
Higher Ed: $14B.
Yes, all those internat’l students count as *exports.* Trump is STILL actively destroying that market.
Bessent says China to delay rare earths rules by a year, buy U.S. soybeans reut.rs/42YJMO9
October 27, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Our president is working overtime to hurt one of our country's most successful export industries (one that I happen to work for).
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
Ignore all laws about altering historic properties ✅
Pave over Rose Garden for tacky Mar-A-Lardo Patio ✅
Demolish East Wing after lying that "It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it" ✅
Build gaudy $250M Ballroom as public struggles financially ✅
#Ugh🤢✅
Pave over Rose Garden for tacky Mar-A-Lardo Patio ✅
Demolish East Wing after lying that "It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it" ✅
Build gaudy $250M Ballroom as public struggles financially ✅
#Ugh🤢✅
October 21, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Ignore all laws about altering historic properties ✅
Pave over Rose Garden for tacky Mar-A-Lardo Patio ✅
Demolish East Wing after lying that "It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it" ✅
Build gaudy $250M Ballroom as public struggles financially ✅
#Ugh🤢✅
Pave over Rose Garden for tacky Mar-A-Lardo Patio ✅
Demolish East Wing after lying that "It won't interfere with the current building. It'll be near it but not touching it" ✅
Build gaudy $250M Ballroom as public struggles financially ✅
#Ugh🤢✅
Reposted by Bill DeBaun
