Laura Pappano
@laurapappano.bsky.social
Education journalist. Author. Youth journalism mentor. Biker. Cook. Reader. Scrappy in an experienced sort of way.
Laurapappano.com
Laurapappano.com
It may not be loud. But vouchers are having an impact. See what’s coming.
With his school just 61 percent full, this Florida principal has become something of a salesman for public education, and is frank about about the hustle required: “Customer service is key.”
hechingerreport.org/universal-vo... @laurapappano.bsky.social
hechingerreport.org/universal-vo... @laurapappano.bsky.social
Universal vouchers have public schools worried about market share
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As principal of Hartsfield Elementary School in the Leon County School District, John Olson is not just the lead educator, but in this era of fast-expanding school choice, also its...
hechingerreport.org
November 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
It may not be loud. But vouchers are having an impact. See what’s coming.
Sure, we hear about choice, vouchers, the shrinking federal DOE, but what are the consequences? It’s beyond red and blue. Great convo with @leighmorgan.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Wow: Understanding the Big Shifts in K-12 Education - with Laura Pappano
Podcast Episode · The Space In Between Podcast · 10/22/2025 · 48m
podcasts.apple.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Sure, we hear about choice, vouchers, the shrinking federal DOE, but what are the consequences? It’s beyond red and blue. Great convo with @leighmorgan.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
OK so two of my faves @bonnietsui and @anniemurphypaul on fire talking about Bonnie’s sweet read On Muscle at @HarvardBooks event at the Harvard science center(obvi)!! I got to see this powerhouse (who could probs powerlift serious lbs if water were involved) earlier in the day.
October 22, 2025 at 1:58 AM
OK so two of my faves @bonnietsui and @anniemurphypaul on fire talking about Bonnie’s sweet read On Muscle at @HarvardBooks event at the Harvard science center(obvi)!! I got to see this powerhouse (who could probs powerlift serious lbs if water were involved) earlier in the day.
Heads up: Moms for Liberty urges members to turn their grievances into lawsuits. #lawfare My takeaways in @hechingerreport.org and @slate.com slate.com/life/2025/10...
What Will Moms for Liberty Do, Now That MAGA Runs Everything? Apparently, Bring Lawsuits.
At their meeting, Charlie Kirk’s name was on everyone’s lips.
slate.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Heads up: Moms for Liberty urges members to turn their grievances into lawsuits. #lawfare My takeaways in @hechingerreport.org and @slate.com slate.com/life/2025/10...
My annual trek to the Moms for Liberty summit is always revealing. My takeaways? In @hechingerreport.org and @slate.com hechingerreport.org/at-moms-for-...
At Moms for Liberty summit, parents urged to turn their grievances into lawsuits
This year’s event tried to court younger members and more men, and there was more talk of suing school districts than running for school board.
hechingerreport.org
October 21, 2025 at 12:50 PM
My annual trek to the Moms for Liberty summit is always revealing. My takeaways? In @hechingerreport.org and @slate.com hechingerreport.org/at-moms-for-...
Reposted by Laura Pappano
90% of children in the US attend public schools. As @laurapappano.bsky.social puts it, no matter the arguments we have about public education, our collective role has been to educate the next generation. @blairhodges.bsky.social
Moms for quote-unquote
Podcast Episode · Relationscapes · 02/09/2025 · 1h 7m
podcasts.apple.com
September 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
90% of children in the US attend public schools. As @laurapappano.bsky.social puts it, no matter the arguments we have about public education, our collective role has been to educate the next generation. @blairhodges.bsky.social
Let’s not make policy decisions about programs until we understand their value. Read this piece in the @hechingerreport.org by @travisregal.bsky.social who I have known since he was 17–and admired every step he’s taken. He is why @headstart.bsky.social matters. hechingerreport.org/opinion-head...
OPINION: We cannot afford to dismantle Head Start, a program that builds futures, strengthens families and delivers proven returns
For many families, Head Start is the first place outside the home where a child’s potential is nurtured and celebrated. Yet, this program that builds futures and strengthens families is now under thre...
hechingerreport.org
September 18, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Let’s not make policy decisions about programs until we understand their value. Read this piece in the @hechingerreport.org by @travisregal.bsky.social who I have known since he was 17–and admired every step he’s taken. He is why @headstart.bsky.social matters. hechingerreport.org/opinion-head...
For new grads the challenge is not just landing a job — but navigating the workplace. Campuses are revamping their approach to career counseling. @hechingerreport.org @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @wakeforest.bsky.social hechingerreport.org/for-new-grad...
College career counseling is changing to better serve emerging graduates who prioritize mental health and well-being in the workplace
Students graduating from college today face an uncertain job market, mass firings in the federal government, a wild stock market and fears of recession. They also expect mental health support and work...
hechingerreport.org
May 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
For new grads the challenge is not just landing a job — but navigating the workplace. Campuses are revamping their approach to career counseling. @hechingerreport.org @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social @wakeforest.bsky.social hechingerreport.org/for-new-grad...
New college grads are entering the workforce at a time of sharp generational disconnect. But they know what they expect — and insist on it. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Colleges revamp career services to address Gen Z’s work-life expectations
Many colleges are rewriting the way they prepare students for jobs — and life.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
New college grads are entering the workforce at a time of sharp generational disconnect. But they know what they expect — and insist on it. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Gender and sport has obviously become a politically charged issue. For most of us sport participation is a way to be part of a community, to belong, to be fit and part of a team. There is a way to figure this out but it requires nuance, understanding and fresh thinking. THAT instead of screaming?
▶️ Writer-in-Residence @laurapappano.bsky.social was invited to TED sports podcast Good Sport! In this clip, Laura discusses the underlying social issues fueling the transgender athlete debate with host @jodyavirgan.com.
Listen to the full podcast episode here: bit.ly/lauragoodsport
#GenderSky #🌈🎓
Listen to the full podcast episode here: bit.ly/lauragoodsport
#GenderSky #🌈🎓
March 20, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Gender and sport has obviously become a politically charged issue. For most of us sport participation is a way to be part of a community, to belong, to be fit and part of a team. There is a way to figure this out but it requires nuance, understanding and fresh thinking. THAT instead of screaming?
Huge deal. The details on who and where will tell much.
National Student Clearinghouse just emailed a big correction to ed reporters: freshman enrollment did not fall by 5% in Fall 2024, it INCREASED. We all blamed the FAFSA roll out fiasco with tamping down college going. But that was wrong. Revised figs to come out Jan 23
January 14, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Huge deal. The details on who and where will tell much.
Facts, not drama. Geez do we need this smart, informed, balanced convo about immigration between @leighmorgan.bsky.social and Maggie Mitchell Salem, new director of IRIS in New Haven, CT podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Beyond the Hype: Navigating the Complexities of Immigration
Podcast Episode · The Space In Between Podcast · 01/08/2025 · 51m
podcasts.apple.com
January 13, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Facts, not drama. Geez do we need this smart, informed, balanced convo about immigration between @leighmorgan.bsky.social and Maggie Mitchell Salem, new director of IRIS in New Haven, CT podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Swapping out “equity” for “equality” is a shrug — until you see what it does to pipeline programs for URM students who didn’t grow up knowing how to navigate a scientific conference — or a research career. @hechingerreport.org @thenation.com @minnpost.bsky.social hechingerreport.org/facing-legal...
Facing legal threats, colleges back off race-based programs
College programs designed to give students from underrepresented groups a foothold in careers are being reframed or disappearing.
hechingerreport.org
November 27, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Swapping out “equity” for “equality” is a shrug — until you see what it does to pipeline programs for URM students who didn’t grow up knowing how to navigate a scientific conference — or a research career. @hechingerreport.org @thenation.com @minnpost.bsky.social hechingerreport.org/facing-legal...
This story nails a pernicious problem: only some people get to study what they love.
“We are asking rural folks to accept a set of options that folks in cities and suburbs would never accept...“It’s almost like, well, ‘This is what you get to learn, and this is how you get to learn it. And if you don’t like it, you can move.’ ”
hechingerreport.org/easy-to-just...
hechingerreport.org/easy-to-just...
‘Easy to just write us off’: Rural students’ choices shrink as colleges slash majors - The Hechinger Report
Rural Americans already have less access to higher education than people in cities and suburbs. Now the comparatively few universities serving rural students are cutting large numbers of programs and ...
hechingerreport.org
November 26, 2024 at 10:30 PM
This story nails a pernicious problem: only some people get to study what they love.
SUCH a fair observation. Language matters. We need new words to separate the unorthodox from the specifically worrisome.
“Controversial.” The press needs a new vocabulary to characterize these people. It’s either overly euphemistic (like this) or too hyperbolic to be credible.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is Mehmet Oz, better known as Dr. Oz, the former daytime television fixture.
Here’s what to know about the controversial figure.
Here’s what to know about the controversial figure.
November 20, 2024 at 1:35 PM
SUCH a fair observation. Language matters. We need new words to separate the unorthodox from the specifically worrisome.
Can we fight at the school board meeting — and then play snowshoe volleyball? I hope so. My convo with @leighmorgan.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...
Reclaiming Public Schools: One Principled School Mom at a Time
Podcast Episode · The Space In Between Podcast · 11/13/2024 · 48m
podcasts.apple.com
November 18, 2024 at 4:37 PM
Can we fight at the school board meeting — and then play snowshoe volleyball? I hope so. My convo with @leighmorgan.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/r...