@ewrobelen.bsky.social
Writer, editor, strategic communicator focused on education issues. Former longtime edu-journalist.
Two thumbs up for this review of the Spinal Tap 'sequel' in @theatlantic.com. One caveat: The print headline was way better IMHO. ('This Was Spinal Tap.)
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
For Those About to Mock
Forty years after Spinal Tap, history’s most hapless band turns it up to 11 one last time.
www.theatlantic.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Two thumbs up for this review of the Spinal Tap 'sequel' in @theatlantic.com. One caveat: The print headline was way better IMHO. ('This Was Spinal Tap.)
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...
Important story for schools.
New: The Department of Education appears to be denying the majority of requests from states to unfreeze tens of millions of pandemic relief dollars for K-12 school projects and programs that were already underway. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Billions for Schools Are in Limbo as Trump Admin. Denies State Funding Requests
Chaos and confusion continue to reign as states scramble to spend the last of their COVID relief funds under new deadlines.
www.edweek.org
May 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Important story for schools.
Recognizing that everything federal/White House is sucking up the oxygen right now, I recently shared insights gleaned from reporting on, yes, K-12 SCHOOL INSPECTIONS in American education. Just in case you wanna hear about something else.
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
fordhaminstitute.org
May 9, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Recognizing that everything federal/White House is sucking up the oxygen right now, I recently shared insights gleaned from reporting on, yes, K-12 SCHOOL INSPECTIONS in American education. Just in case you wanna hear about something else.
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
fordhaminstitute.org/national/res...
Reposted
New: The deadline for schools to certify compliance with the Trump administration's anti-DEI stance has passed.
-17 states, DC, and Puerto Rico signed
-19 states, including three with GOP governors, declined to sign
-14 states haven't said what they did or plan to do www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
-17 states, DC, and Puerto Rico signed
-19 states, including three with GOP governors, declined to sign
-14 states haven't said what they did or plan to do www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
'Illegal' DEI: See Which States Are Telling Trump Their Schools Don't Use It
The Education Department wants states and schools to sign a certification saying they don't use DEI. Here's how they're responding so far.
www.edweek.org
April 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
New: The deadline for schools to certify compliance with the Trump administration's anti-DEI stance has passed.
-17 states, DC, and Puerto Rico signed
-19 states, including three with GOP governors, declined to sign
-14 states haven't said what they did or plan to do www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
-17 states, DC, and Puerto Rico signed
-19 states, including three with GOP governors, declined to sign
-14 states haven't said what they did or plan to do www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Don't assume it's going to be business as usual with NAEP, you know, the Nation's Report Card. Suffice to say, in testing parlance, that recent actions on NAEP raise more questions than answers. @jillbarshay.bsky.social of @hechingerreport.org has the scoop.
hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
A smaller Nation's Report Card
NAEP board cancels tests to try to appease DOGE
hechingerreport.org
April 24, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Don't assume it's going to be business as usual with NAEP, you know, the Nation's Report Card. Suffice to say, in testing parlance, that recent actions on NAEP raise more questions than answers. @jillbarshay.bsky.social of @hechingerreport.org has the scoop.
hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
This sounds like a worthy opportunity to learn more.
Want to know more about how all the changes happening at the U.S. Department of Education could affect you & your school? Please join me & this great panel tomorrow to talk about what this moment means for equity, access & public education: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Unpacking the Department of Education's Fate: Education at a Crossroads. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
As conversations around the future of the U.S. Department of Education intensify, join us for a critical conversation exploring what's at stake for students, educators, and communities. This timely we...
us06web.zoom.us
April 23, 2025 at 5:13 PM
This sounds like a worthy opportunity to learn more.
If you care about high-quality education data, read this. Frankly, if you care about education, read this!
There’s little that unites conservatives and liberals. But both sides have long backed NAEP. Now even this test, touted as the “gold standard” among all assessments, is in jeopardy. via @jillbarshay.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
NAEP, the Nation's Report Card, was supposed to be safe. It's not
Funding pauses, layoffs and looming budget cuts threaten a critical test
hechingerreport.org
April 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
If you care about high-quality education data, read this. Frankly, if you care about education, read this!
Anyone remember the buzz around school "inspections" some years ago? Turns out, the idea is alive and well in the U.S., though the term "inspection" is rarely used in the U.S. I wore my edu-reporter hat for this @educationnext.bsky.social piece.
www.educationnext.org/full-measure...
www.educationnext.org/full-measure...
The Full Measure of a School
Student test scores tell only part of the story. Observations can round out the narrative.
www.educationnext.org
March 27, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Anyone remember the buzz around school "inspections" some years ago? Turns out, the idea is alive and well in the U.S., though the term "inspection" is rarely used in the U.S. I wore my edu-reporter hat for this @educationnext.bsky.social piece.
www.educationnext.org/full-measure...
www.educationnext.org/full-measure...
In a prior job, I was privileged to support the release of education data by NCES, including NAEP, the "nation's report card." I can attest to the extraordinary efforts to ensure the data was accurate and reliable, and was presented so people could draw their own conclusions. This is a huge loss.
I keep hearing the question: What's the biggest impact of Trump education disruptions so far? My answer: Research. Data. Knowledge on how students are doing and how schools might improve. All of this is being decimated. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/12/u...
Are Schools Succeeding? Education Department Cuts Could Make It Hard to Know
At least 800 education department research employees and outside partners have lost jobs. The cuts will decimate research and data collection.
www.nytimes.com
March 12, 2025 at 6:40 PM
In a prior job, I was privileged to support the release of education data by NCES, including NAEP, the "nation's report card." I can attest to the extraordinary efforts to ensure the data was accurate and reliable, and was presented so people could draw their own conclusions. This is a huge loss.
Reposted
Hearing that nearly all the employees in the statistics agency inside the Education Department -- NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) -- have lost their jobs. Rumors that the NAEP test -- the nation's report card -- will no longer be run by NCES. This info is not confirmed.
March 12, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Hearing that nearly all the employees in the statistics agency inside the Education Department -- NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) -- have lost their jobs. Rumors that the NAEP test -- the nation's report card -- will no longer be run by NCES. This info is not confirmed.
Sigh. As a longtime Washington Post reader/subscriber, I find this deeply troubling.
The tragic self-destruction of a great newspaper continues. I had the privilege of working with @ruthmarcus.bsky.social for years and she is the best of the best. Whether you agree with her or not, she is the model of journalistic excellence and integrity. apnews.com/article/wash...
Washington Post columnist quits after her opinion piece criticizing owner Jeff Bezos is rejected
Columnist Ruth Marcus said publisher Will Lewis killed her column criticizing owner Jeff Bezos' new editorial policy.
apnews.com
March 11, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Sigh. As a longtime Washington Post reader/subscriber, I find this deeply troubling.
'The Education Department did not respond to questions about who decided which programs to cut and what criteria were used.' @kalynbelsha.bsky.social @ericameltzer.bsky.social
www.the74million.org/article/doge...
www.the74million.org/article/doge...
DOGE Education Cuts Hit Students with Disabilities, Literacy Research
Teens with disabilities were getting help with life after high school. Then DOGE started cutting.
www.the74million.org
March 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
'The Education Department did not respond to questions about who decided which programs to cut and what criteria were used.' @kalynbelsha.bsky.social @ericameltzer.bsky.social
www.the74million.org/article/doge...
www.the74million.org/article/doge...
A good question. My guess is don't bet on it.
Will we continue to have NCES School Pulse Panel data in the future? Does anyone know the status of this or other NCES surveys (such as CCD)?
New NCES data (School Pulse Panel) finds that 77% of schools prohibit students from having their cell phone during classes. I'm surprised by this, but this may also not be the important statistic. I know of schools that have these restrictions but don't enforce them.
nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/pre...
nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/pre...
March 7, 2025 at 3:10 AM
A good question. My guess is don't bet on it.
A former Secretary of Education has his say...
My interview tonight on CNN, discussing the chaos, fear and confusion Trump is sowing in our education system.
Not a single word he has uttered helps a single child to learn to read, or receive a better education.
app.frame.io/presentation...
Not a single word he has uttered helps a single child to learn to read, or receive a better education.
app.frame.io/presentation...
Frame.io
app.frame.io
March 7, 2025 at 2:43 AM
A former Secretary of Education has his say...
Talk about a powerful lede that sums it up:
"The silence grows louder every day.'
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
"The silence grows louder every day.'
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
Fearing Retribution, Trump Critics Muzzle Themselves
People say they are intimidated by online attacks from the president, concerned about harm to their businesses or worried about the safety of their families.
www.nytimes.com
March 7, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Talk about a powerful lede that sums it up:
"The silence grows louder every day.'
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
"The silence grows louder every day.'
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...
A little-known program at the Kennedy Center enables low-income students to visit this amazing place and catch a performance for free. I recently penned a post pegged to the program's 25th anniversary. Here's hoping it lasts another 25.
www.kennedy-center.org/our-story/bl...
www.kennedy-center.org/our-story/bl...
CENTER Blog | Kennedy Center
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www.kennedy-center.org
March 6, 2025 at 8:18 PM
A little-known program at the Kennedy Center enables low-income students to visit this amazing place and catch a performance for free. I recently penned a post pegged to the program's 25th anniversary. Here's hoping it lasts another 25.
www.kennedy-center.org/our-story/bl...
www.kennedy-center.org/our-story/bl...
Sigh
NEW: WIRED got IP blocked by the Social Security Administration, among other outlets covering Musk's takeover.
Federal workers are now "prohibited" from accessing our reporting on "government-furnished equipment."
WaPo, NYT, and MSNBC are likewise banned, sources confirm.
Federal workers are now "prohibited" from accessing our reporting on "government-furnished equipment."
WaPo, NYT, and MSNBC are likewise banned, sources confirm.
Social Security Workers Aren’t Allowed to Read This Story
New internet restrictions at the embattled SSA have cut off access to WIRED, along with other “general news” websites like The Washington Post and The New York Times.
www.wired.com
March 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Sigh
'People are supportive of schools teaching about controversial topics from multiple perspectives.' @mpolikoff.bsky.social @lrj417.bsky.social @the74.bsky.social
www.the74million.org/article/amid...
www.the74million.org/article/amid...
Amid Polarization, Civics Education Enjoys Bipartisan Support, Survey Finds
But Americans don’t want teachers to put 'their thumb on the scale,' one researcher said.
www.the74million.org
March 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
'People are supportive of schools teaching about controversial topics from multiple perspectives.' @mpolikoff.bsky.social @lrj417.bsky.social @the74.bsky.social
www.the74million.org/article/amid...
www.the74million.org/article/amid...
FYI
Scoop: A draft executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department” based on “the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” It could come as soon as today.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Exclusive | Draft of Trump Executive Order Aims to Eliminate Education Department
Secretary Linda McMahon would be directed to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” based on “the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”
www.wsj.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:09 PM
FYI
And now, This.
UPDATE: Researchers have heard from OCR that "the site is experiencing technical difficulties and should be restored soon."
I was just informed that the Department of Education has taken down all its Civil Rights data. If you need it, alternative sites are now hosting it for the public. See links in this thread. ocrdata.ed.gov/notfound
March 6, 2025 at 1:05 AM
And now, This.
This.
I was just informed that the Department of Education has taken down all its Civil Rights data. If you need it, alternative sites are now hosting it for the public. See links in this thread. ocrdata.ed.gov/notfound
Civil Rights Data | U.S. Department of Education
Understand trends in student opportunity, security, and diversity.
ocrdata.ed.gov
March 6, 2025 at 1:04 AM
This.
PSA: The governing body that sets policy for NAEP begins its quarterly meeting tomorrow. In light of recent developments, this could be an, um, interesting meeting.
www.nagb.gov/about-us/qua...
www.nagb.gov/about-us/qua...
Quarterly Governing Board Meeting: March 6
www.nagb.gov
March 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
PSA: The governing body that sets policy for NAEP begins its quarterly meeting tomorrow. In light of recent developments, this could be an, um, interesting meeting.
www.nagb.gov/about-us/qua...
www.nagb.gov/about-us/qua...
Reposted
Linda McMahon lays out a "final mission" for the U.S. Department of Education. You can see traces in this message of the draft email that Marisa Kabas shared yesterday, but there's no mention of an executive order. It stops short of getting rid of the department. www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/04/l...
Read Linda McMahon’s message about the U.S. Department of Education’s ‘final mission’
Trump’s education secretary said the department’s role “is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington.” It’s unclear how well that strategy w...
www.chalkbeat.org
March 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Linda McMahon lays out a "final mission" for the U.S. Department of Education. You can see traces in this message of the draft email that Marisa Kabas shared yesterday, but there's no mention of an executive order. It stops short of getting rid of the department. www.chalkbeat.org/2025/03/04/l...