James S. Murphy
@jamessmurphy.bsky.social
Sometimes I write slow, sometimes I write quick. Mostly about college stuff.
Email: jstephenmurphy@gmail.com
Website: www.jamessmurphy.com
Email: jstephenmurphy@gmail.com
Website: www.jamessmurphy.com
Pinned
James S. Murphy
@jamessmurphy.bsky.social
· Nov 20
What states get the biggest benefit from the US Department of Education (@usedgov)
Reposted by James S. Murphy
If I were an American I would save money by simply buying lottery tickets with winning numbers and not those with losing numbers.
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 7:28 PM
If I were an American I would save money by simply buying lottery tickets with winning numbers and not those with losing numbers.
Reposted by James S. Murphy
Alright let me try this ask again: what should I read about how higher ed works to continue my learning?
Trying to build up knowledge and maybe start a discussion group (locally? online?) for academics working in the field, but don't research higher ed. Read lots of Chris Newfield, lots of finance/budget books, other books from Hopkins on Critical University Studies. What else should I read/add?
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Alright let me try this ask again: what should I read about how higher ed works to continue my learning?
Reposted by James S. Murphy
We keep paying teachers more for graduate degrees, but the evidence they improve teaching is not there. Add the surge in online credentials and you’ve got a really ugly incentive structure.
I wonder sometimes about the number of colleges that leaned into online credentialing for the short term $$$ and are now seeing the long term costs showing up...
(Long term costs, I'd add, that more than just colleges are paying)
(Long term costs, I'd add, that more than just colleges are paying)
November 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
We keep paying teachers more for graduate degrees, but the evidence they improve teaching is not there. Add the surge in online credentials and you’ve got a really ugly incentive structure.
Reposted by James S. Murphy
New from me: I was invited to submit something to the inaugural issue of the Journal of Education Finance and Law. So I put in one place a lot of my thoughts on how schools spend money on staff compensation.
We Need to Talk About How We Compensate School Staff
doi.org/10.5406/3067...
We Need to Talk About How We Compensate School Staff
doi.org/10.5406/3067...
June 27, 2025 at 9:49 AM
New from me: I was invited to submit something to the inaugural issue of the Journal of Education Finance and Law. So I put in one place a lot of my thoughts on how schools spend money on staff compensation.
We Need to Talk About How We Compensate School Staff
doi.org/10.5406/3067...
We Need to Talk About How We Compensate School Staff
doi.org/10.5406/3067...
Reposted by James S. Murphy
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.
Reposted by James S. Murphy
The RIFs language is actually great. Not only does it rehire the people RIFed during the shutdown, it makes it an unequivocal Antideficiency Act violation to do ANY MORE RIFs through the duration of the CR (Jan 30)
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
November 10, 2025 at 12:27 AM
The RIFs language is actually great. Not only does it rehire the people RIFed during the shutdown, it makes it an unequivocal Antideficiency Act violation to do ANY MORE RIFs through the duration of the CR (Jan 30)
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
Completely stops Trump/Vought Phase 2 for now
Would love to see this standardized
Reposted by James S. Murphy
‘The presence of two words — “equity” and “inclusion” — on page 50 of a 5-year-old grant application just killed a program at UC Berkeley that for half a century helped thousands of East Bay teens recognize that they could go to college and even pay for it.’
Two words in UC Berkeley grant application have led to defunding of 50-year-old program
The Trump administration canceled UC Berkeley’s Educational Talent Search — a 50-year-old program that helped thousands of East Bay teens get to college — over two words in its grant...
www.sfchronicle.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
‘The presence of two words — “equity” and “inclusion” — on page 50 of a 5-year-old grant application just killed a program at UC Berkeley that for half a century helped thousands of East Bay teens recognize that they could go to college and even pay for it.’
Reposted by James S. Murphy
Judge rules Education Department messages blaming Democrats for the shutdown unconstitutional www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Education Department's out-of-office messages blaming Democrats for the shutdown are unconstitutional, judge rules
The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed after the Trump administration altered employees’ email messages to add partisan language about the government shutdown without their consent.
www.nbcnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Judge rules Education Department messages blaming Democrats for the shutdown unconstitutional www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Reposted by James S. Murphy
While small colleges will have higher per-student operating costs, New College of Florida is blowing that out of the water. The state is asking more questions as their US News ranking is down 60 spots in recent years.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
November 7, 2025 at 10:31 AM
While small colleges will have higher per-student operating costs, New College of Florida is blowing that out of the water. The state is asking more questions as their US News ranking is down 60 spots in recent years.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Reposted by James S. Murphy
One winning candidate attributed the sweep to “the state of the world.” She said voters “know they can trust teachers.”
Why teachers union-backed school board candidates won in Denver and what it might mean
One winning candidate attributed the sweep to “the state of the world.” She said voters “know they can trust teachers.”
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 11:45 PM
One winning candidate attributed the sweep to “the state of the world.” She said voters “know they can trust teachers.”
Look everybody! It's your annual reminder to look at the actual cost of attending college, not the sticker price. Even if it means acknowledging the the COA of public colleges has been falling.
November 6, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Look everybody! It's your annual reminder to look at the actual cost of attending college, not the sticker price. Even if it means acknowledging the the COA of public colleges has been falling.
Reposted by James S. Murphy
On it's 50th birthday, special ed law is fighting for its life. On Oct 10, the Department of Ed cut hundreds of positions from OSEP, which oversees implementation of the law & investigates complaints from students who’ve been denied needed services.
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
50 Years After Mandated by US Law, Special Education’s Future in Question, BU Scholar Says
Wheelock’s Elizabeth Bettini on the potential impact of Department of Education cuts to students and the special ed workforce
www.bu.edu
November 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
On it's 50th birthday, special ed law is fighting for its life. On Oct 10, the Department of Ed cut hundreds of positions from OSEP, which oversees implementation of the law & investigates complaints from students who’ve been denied needed services.
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
www.bu.edu/articles/202...
I added Tufts to the post-SFFA tracker, which now contains 23 colleges and institutions. No Hopkins, no Duke, no Stanford, no Brown, no Dartmouth.
At this point last year, I had 35. I do not think we are going to get there this year.
At this point last year, I had 35. I do not think we are going to get there this year.
November 6, 2025 at 2:39 AM
I added Tufts to the post-SFFA tracker, which now contains 23 colleges and institutions. No Hopkins, no Duke, no Stanford, no Brown, no Dartmouth.
At this point last year, I had 35. I do not think we are going to get there this year.
At this point last year, I had 35. I do not think we are going to get there this year.
It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out and whether University of Austin survives. Making it free is a great move, and I'd love to see more places do it, but I'm not confident that even a gift of this size will be enough to keep it tuition free, unless it stays very small.
University of Austin to End Tuition ‘Forever’ with Help of $100M Gift
U Austin Announces $100M Gift, End to Tuition ‘Forever’
After receiving even more support from a big conservative donor, the not-yet-accredited institution announced it will neither charge tuition nor accept government funds. Some are skeptical.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:56 AM
It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out and whether University of Austin survives. Making it free is a great move, and I'd love to see more places do it, but I'm not confident that even a gift of this size will be enough to keep it tuition free, unless it stays very small.
Reposted by James S. Murphy
Flying Squirrel Loves It Every Time
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Flying Squirrel Loves It Every Time
Reposted by James S. Murphy
My comments in @bostonglobe.com on how dismantling of ED affects colleges: “When you haphazardly cut whole teams, and people from other teams quit or are forced to retire, there are going to be problems with everything.” @ditikohli.bsky.social www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/04/b...
Massive cuts at the Department of Education are causing big problems at Massachusetts colleges - The Boston Globe
Local universities rely on the agency in order to disburse financial aid disbursement, create new programs, or merge with other institutions. Now, they're scrambling.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:26 PM
My comments in @bostonglobe.com on how dismantling of ED affects colleges: “When you haphazardly cut whole teams, and people from other teams quit or are forced to retire, there are going to be problems with everything.” @ditikohli.bsky.social www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/04/b...
Reposted by James S. Murphy
So much D over-claiming about last night. Bingo card:
-"This proves we have to {do what I wanted to do anyway}"
-"{A winning D} supported {position on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
-"{A losing R} used {issue/tactic on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
-"This proves we have to {do what I wanted to do anyway}"
-"{A winning D} supported {position on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
-"{A losing R} used {issue/tactic on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
November 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
So much D over-claiming about last night. Bingo card:
-"This proves we have to {do what I wanted to do anyway}"
-"{A winning D} supported {position on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
-"{A losing R} used {issue/tactic on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
-"This proves we have to {do what I wanted to do anyway}"
-"{A winning D} supported {position on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
-"{A losing R} used {issue/tactic on which Ds are vulnerable} therefore it doesn't matter"
Up to 75,000 spouses or children of veterans who have died, are missing, or have a service-connected disability may be waiting for overdue GI Bill payments for housing and education.
www.militarytimes.com/news/your-mi...
www.militarytimes.com/news/your-mi...
VA tech glitch halts GI Bill payments to thousands, advocates say
Up to 75,000 GI Bill recipients have been left without their anticipated payments for school and housing.
www.militarytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Up to 75,000 spouses or children of veterans who have died, are missing, or have a service-connected disability may be waiting for overdue GI Bill payments for housing and education.
www.militarytimes.com/news/your-mi...
www.militarytimes.com/news/your-mi...
Reposted by James S. Murphy
BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
Live updates: US voters head to the polls in first general election since Trump's return to power
One year after Donald Trump retook the presidency, 2025 Election Day includes closely watched races for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and California's Proposition 50.
bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 3:33 AM
BREAKING: Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that would raise state income taxes on higher-earning households to fund free meals for all public school students.
Follow AP for live updates.
Follow AP for live updates.
This is pretty amazing, not just for finding trends but for finding papers quickly and easily.
Dropping a beta version of this page while everyone is up and processing baseball!
This tool lets you search the full text of papers from the American Economic Review, American Economic Journal series, and over 30,000 NBER working papers.
paulgp.com/econlit-pipe...
This tool lets you search the full text of papers from the American Economic Review, American Economic Journal series, and over 30,000 NBER working papers.
paulgp.com/econlit-pipe...
Economics Literature Search
Full-text search across 15,000+ papers from top economics journals and NBER working papers. Track how empirical methods have evolved over time.
paulgp.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:52 PM
This is pretty amazing, not just for finding trends but for finding papers quickly and easily.
Reposted by James S. Murphy
with the firing of Hugh Freeze at Auburn, US universities now owe nearly $200 million to ex-football coaches
the amount US universities are paying non-working football coaches will soon top $140 million, if you thought we were gonna cure cancer or something any time soon
November 2, 2025 at 7:15 PM
with the firing of Hugh Freeze at Auburn, US universities now owe nearly $200 million to ex-football coaches
I've frequently been told that college boards are inordinately obsessed with sports and admissions.
just catching up on Bill Belichick’s disastrous year as UNC coach and discovering the exact mechanics of how he secured the job. www.theringer.com/2025/10/31/c...
November 2, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I've frequently been told that college boards are inordinately obsessed with sports and admissions.
Reposted by James S. Murphy
Is social media dying? How much has Twitter changed as it became X? Which party now dominates the conversation?
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
October 30, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Is social media dying? How much has Twitter changed as it became X? Which party now dominates the conversation?
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Using nationally representative ANES data from 2020 & 2024, I map how the U.S. social media landscape has transformed.
Here are the key take-aways 🧵
arxiv.org/abs/2510.25417
Reposted by James S. Murphy
This billionaire is trolling hardworking educators—and making jokes about gutting supports for special needs kids.
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
This billionaire is trolling hardworking educators—and making jokes about gutting supports for special needs kids.
Today is the deadline for Early Decision. I've got a new report out called "The Use and Abuse of Early Decision." I'm worried that the political and financial pressure created by the Trump Administration is going to lead some colleges to lean in even more on ED.
November 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Today is the deadline for Early Decision. I've got a new report out called "The Use and Abuse of Early Decision." I'm worried that the political and financial pressure created by the Trump Administration is going to lead some colleges to lean in even more on ED.