Wesley Whistle
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wesleywhistle.bsky.social
Wesley Whistle
@wesleywhistle.bsky.social
460 followers 310 following 81 posts
#HigherEd policy @NewAmerica.org. PhD candidate at UK. Former #Team46 at ED, Sen. Bob Casey, & higher ed admin. Kentuckian. My tweets/sass. He/him 🏳‍🌈
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wesleywhistle.bsky.social
Today, the House moved forward with the Accreditation Choice and Innovation Act, which would shift oversight of accreditors tol states. My latest explains why that’s a bad idea. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Outsourcing Accreditor Oversight to States: A Bad Idea in the Making
www.newamerica.org
June 25, 2025 at 8:45 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
House Republicans say their “risk-sharing” plan will hold colleges accountable—but it may end up hitting students hardest.

My latest for @educationwork.newamerica.org/@newamerica.org:
➡️ newamerica.org/education-po...
#HigherEd #EdPolicy #StudentDebt
Risk-Sharing for Higher Education: The House Republican Proposal’s Impact on Institutions and Students
From weak incentives to perverse outcomes, the House GOP’s risk-sharing framework is in need of further discussion and improvements.
newamerica.org
June 10, 2025 at 9:59 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
Not letting a little depression weight gain keep me from very Gay™️ at #WorldPride.
June 7, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
jbeowulf.bsky.social
Your Friday reading, besides the Fetterman profile, is this explanation of Trump’s accreditation policies from me and @wesleywhistle.bsky.social. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Trump's Accreditation Guidance Sidesteps Core Higher Ed Safeguards
New Education Department policies may disadvantage students and taxpayers by inviting fraudsters into the accreditation system.
www.newamerica.org
May 2, 2025 at 7:01 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
Going to be a little vulnerable for a sec. I've always loved writing, but rarely used it as a personal outlet. That's changed since my mom died. While I've always considered myself self-aware & good at processing things, I learned something last night about myself while writing this.
May 1, 2025 at 10:27 AM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
Love her, but no.
May 1, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
jbeowulf.bsky.social
A few new accreditors want federal recognition.
Their leaders are tied to predatory for-profit colleges, some of which defrauded students. My latest: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Meet the Would-Be Accreditors Tied to Predatory For-Profit Colleges
The Trump administration is laying the groundwork for potentially exploitative accreditors to enter the federal financial aid system.
www.newamerica.org
April 30, 2025 at 1:45 AM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
I love hate mail.
May 1, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
stephmhall.bsky.social
I'm just catching up on the day so this was super helpful!

Clicking through to the section-by-section is full of "ugh" moments like: allows students enrolled in programs operating outside of the accreditation system to be eligible for such grants

Bootcamp scammers rn: 🤑💰🤑💰
April 30, 2025 at 1:18 AM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
House Republicans are trying to slash #HigherEd funding just to pay for more tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. I break it down in my latest for @educationwork.newamerica.org: newamerica.org/education-po...
The House Reconciliation Bill Makes College Less Affordable — All to Pay for Tax Cuts for Millionaires and Billionaires
newamerica.org
April 30, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
econroy.bsky.social
The second piece from @educationwork.newamerica.org is @wesleywhistle.bsky.social @jbeowulf.bsky.social and @antoinetteflores.bsky.social breaking down the Exec Order on accreditation.

The stand out of this EO is its focus on...

#HigherEdSky
#EduSky
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Students Lose as Trump's Order Turns Accreditation Into a Political Tool
The administration's new executive action, which is likely illegal in part, threatens to upend accreditation standards.
www.newamerica.org
April 29, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
econroy.bsky.social
More analysis from the @educationwork.newamerica.org team, this time a detailed analysis from @wesleywhistle.bsky.social that’s worth taking a minute over.

This bill, if enacted, will make college and loan repayment more expensive, all to give the wealthy a tax break
newamerica.org/education-po...
The House Reconciliation Bill Makes College Less Affordable — All to Pay for Tax Cuts for Millionaires and Billionaires
newamerica.org
April 29, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
educationwork.newamerica.org
America's universities are under siege.

🚨 🎓 🚨

Here, our #HigherEd policy expert @wesleywhistle.bsky.social explains how the goals of the president's attacks are to devalue academic freedoms, to defund critical programs—and to simply "weaken democracy itself."
The Assault on Higher Education is an Assault on Democracy
Universities are under siege—not by forces of academic debate, but by political operatives intent on dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, restricting free speech, and rolling…
www.newamerica.org
April 22, 2025 at 4:37 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
A must-read from my @newamerica.org colleague @adamhsays.com in the @nytimes.com. He breaks down Trump’s push to eliminate DEI in education and the far-right extremists behind these dangerous efforts to roll back civil rights protections. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/o... #Education #CivilRights #DEI
Opinion | When Trump Is Done, What Will Remain of Public Education?
The administration has done everything in its power, and some things beyond its authority, to ensure education is equal no more.
www.nytimes.com
April 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
My latest blog for @newamerica.org @educationwork.newamerica.org: The Assault on Higher Education is an Assault on Democracy. #highered #democracy www.newamerica.org/education-po...
The Assault on Higher Education is an Assault on Democracy
www.newamerica.org
March 27, 2025 at 2:27 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
This is literally the definition of federal overreach. If Columbia caves like they already have, they don’t deserve to exist.
jameeljaffer.bsky.social Jameel Jaffer @jameeljaffer.bsky.social · Mar 14
I’m told this is a real letter. It basically says, “We’ll destroy Columbia unless you destroy it first.”
March 14, 2025 at 1:05 AM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
I’m obsessed with this new Kelsea Ballerini song. music.apple.com/us/album/put...
Put It To Bed by Kelsea Ballerini on Apple Music
Song · 2025 · Duration 2:47
music.apple.com
March 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
mpolikoff.bsky.social
A great list of scholars who can speak to the implementation and likely effects of the administration's actions regarding the Department of Education
March 7, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
adamhsays.com
New: The administration—through DOJ, HHS, ED, and GSA—says it has canceled ~$400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University.
Press release
March 7, 2025 at 5:26 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
Not only is it a violation of the First Amendment, there is no federal authority over curriculum!
adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social Adam Steinbaugh @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social · Mar 6
The US Attorney in Washington DC is investigating Georgetown Law School, demanding that "if DEI is found in your courses or teaching in anyway [sic]," the law school should "move swiftly to remove it"

Federal prosecutors don’t control the classroom. This is a dark abdication of the First Amendment.
Dear Sir, As United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, I receive requests for information and clarification. I take these requests seriously and act on them with letters like this one you are receiving. It has come to my attention reliably that Georgetown Law School continues to teach and promote DEl. This is unacceptable. I have begun an inquiry into this and would welcome your response to the following questions: First, have you eliminated all DEl from your school and its curriculum? Second, if DEl is found in your courses or teaching in anyway, will you move swiftly to remove it? At this time, you should know that no applicant for our fellows program, our summer internship, or employment in our office who is a student or affiliated with a law school or university that continues to teach and utilize DEl will be considered. I look forward to your cooperation with my letter of inquiry after request. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Please respond by Monday, February 24, 2025. Should you have further questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to call my office or schedule a time to meet in person.
March 7, 2025 at 6:08 PM
wesleywhistle.bsky.social
Wait, they want to move student loans to the Small Business Administration??? Because that’s definitely the mission of SBA… www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...
'Not their business': Trump mulls major changes to federal student loan office
President Donald Trump on Thursday said he has discussed shifting the Federal Student Aid office to an agency outside the Education Department.
www.usatoday.com
March 7, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
thirdwayedu.bsky.social
🗣️ Republican voters still value higher ed, according to @ThirdWayEdu @BenCecil's latest poll:

📊87% want more accountability
💰83% support financial transparency
💳79% back continuing PSLF
🛡️71% say guardrails are needed to protect students

bit.ly/4kojZpB
March 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
mpolikoff.bsky.social
Linda McMahon: "We must stop micro-managing schools."

Also Linda McMahon: "Hey you private law school, you have to teach exactly what we say or we'll come after you."
adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social Adam Steinbaugh @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social · Mar 6
The US Attorney in Washington DC is investigating Georgetown Law School, demanding that "if DEI is found in your courses or teaching in anyway [sic]," the law school should "move swiftly to remove it"

Federal prosecutors don’t control the classroom. This is a dark abdication of the First Amendment.
Dear Sir, As United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, I receive requests for information and clarification. I take these requests seriously and act on them with letters like this one you are receiving. It has come to my attention reliably that Georgetown Law School continues to teach and promote DEl. This is unacceptable. I have begun an inquiry into this and would welcome your response to the following questions: First, have you eliminated all DEl from your school and its curriculum? Second, if DEl is found in your courses or teaching in anyway, will you move swiftly to remove it? At this time, you should know that no applicant for our fellows program, our summer internship, or employment in our office who is a student or affiliated with a law school or university that continues to teach and utilize DEl will be considered. I look forward to your cooperation with my letter of inquiry after request. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Please respond by Monday, February 24, 2025. Should you have further questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to call my office or schedule a time to meet in person.
March 6, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Wesley Whistle
kevincarey1.bsky.social
"with letters like this one you are receiving" -- these malevolent trolls can barely write a sentence.
adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social Adam Steinbaugh @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social · Mar 6
The US Attorney in Washington DC is investigating Georgetown Law School, demanding that "if DEI is found in your courses or teaching in anyway [sic]," the law school should "move swiftly to remove it"

Federal prosecutors don’t control the classroom. This is a dark abdication of the First Amendment.
Dear Sir, As United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, I receive requests for information and clarification. I take these requests seriously and act on them with letters like this one you are receiving. It has come to my attention reliably that Georgetown Law School continues to teach and promote DEl. This is unacceptable. I have begun an inquiry into this and would welcome your response to the following questions: First, have you eliminated all DEl from your school and its curriculum? Second, if DEl is found in your courses or teaching in anyway, will you move swiftly to remove it? At this time, you should know that no applicant for our fellows program, our summer internship, or employment in our office who is a student or affiliated with a law school or university that continues to teach and utilize DEl will be considered. I look forward to your cooperation with my letter of inquiry after request. Thank you in advance for your assistance. Please respond by Monday, February 24, 2025. Should you have further questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to call my office or schedule a time to meet in person.
March 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM