Lisa Guernsey
@lisaguernsey.bsky.social
Senior director, Ed Policy; co-founder of the Learning Sciences Exchange (LSX) @NewAmerica; writing on literacy, media, tech, libraries, schools, equity, kids and families. Live in Alexandria VA, mom of two. Fan of soccer, kayaking, getting outside
Putting K-12 and PreK-12 programs into the Department of Labor makes no sense. Why in the world would we put people with labor expertise but no educational background in charge of funding programs for kindergartners and little kids? www.the74million.org/article/down...
Downgrading Education Is a Disastrous Misreading of What Our Country Needs
Guernsey: Amid demands to improve reading and integrate AI, do we really want to be a country without a Department of Education in the 21st century?
www.the74million.org
November 20, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Putting K-12 and PreK-12 programs into the Department of Labor makes no sense. Why in the world would we put people with labor expertise but no educational background in charge of funding programs for kindergartners and little kids? www.the74million.org/article/down...
Young scientists are speaking up. They talked with us about what the future looks like right now for scientific discovery. They described the pull to go to Europe instead, where countries are investing and recruiting our best scientific minds. Congress must reverse this trend and invest in STEM Ed.
@lisaguernsey.bsky.social and I are out with a new article for @newamerica.org capturing #student voices that have been caught in funding cuts and grant cancellations over what we refer to as a "summer of despair for #STEMeducation"
Please read it and share! www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Please read it and share! www.newamerica.org/education-po...
A Summer of Despair for STEM Education
STEM Education Funding Cuts and Thousands of Canceled Research Grants are Cutting Off Opportunities for Young Scientists, K-12, and Community College Students
www.newamerica.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Young scientists are speaking up. They talked with us about what the future looks like right now for scientific discovery. They described the pull to go to Europe instead, where countries are investing and recruiting our best scientific minds. Congress must reverse this trend and invest in STEM Ed.
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
Our new, easy-to-use mapping tool measures the impact of different redistricting models and can be used to identify huge potential gains in tax-base fairness and student integration.
📍 Find your community—and test out our three models here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
📍 Find your community—and test out our three models here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
September 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Our new, easy-to-use mapping tool measures the impact of different redistricting models and can be used to identify huge potential gains in tax-base fairness and student integration.
📍 Find your community—and test out our three models here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
📍 Find your community—and test out our three models here: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
What if states could give all kids fairer access to school funding, just by drawing smarter maps?
↘️ The latest release from our Ed Funding Equity team shows how purposeful redistricting can boost fairness and diversity without moving kids or burdening budgets.
↘️ The latest release from our Ed Funding Equity team shows how purposeful redistricting can boost fairness and diversity without moving kids or burdening budgets.
Redistricting School Systems Can Increase Funding Fairness and Decrease Segregation
A new report and interactive data tool show how specific redistricting choices can create fairer school systems for our children.
www.newamerica.org
September 25, 2025 at 5:08 PM
What if states could give all kids fairer access to school funding, just by drawing smarter maps?
↘️ The latest release from our Ed Funding Equity team shows how purposeful redistricting can boost fairness and diversity without moving kids or burdening budgets.
↘️ The latest release from our Ed Funding Equity team shows how purposeful redistricting can boost fairness and diversity without moving kids or burdening budgets.
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
"Get ready for a completely different way of thinking about schools and learning, inspired by the scores of children and teens whose voices and ideas fill out nearly every chapter.” —@lisaguernsey.bsky.social on KIDS ON EARTH https://bit.ly/44yya5S
September 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"Get ready for a completely different way of thinking about schools and learning, inspired by the scores of children and teens whose voices and ideas fill out nearly every chapter.” —@lisaguernsey.bsky.social on KIDS ON EARTH https://bit.ly/44yya5S
Shifting from minimalist outreach to true partnerships b/t parents and schools. Pls VOTE to help us share at @sxsw.com new tools from 2 principals in Pittsburgh built with cross-sector ideas:
➡️ participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx... #PanelPicker #familyengagement
➡️ participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx... #PanelPicker #familyengagement
PanelPicker | SXSW Conference & Festivals
PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. Enter ideas and vote to help shape Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.
participate.sxsw.com
August 18, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Shifting from minimalist outreach to true partnerships b/t parents and schools. Pls VOTE to help us share at @sxsw.com new tools from 2 principals in Pittsburgh built with cross-sector ideas:
➡️ participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx... #PanelPicker #familyengagement
➡️ participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sx... #PanelPicker #familyengagement
New data analysis from @zahavastadler.bsky.social and Jordan Abbott shows how much each school district will lose if USED continues withholding funds expected this summer. Kids in the most need lose the most. Such a cruel and pointless move by the administration.
Last week, instead of sending school districts the $6+ billion which they are owed by law, USED told states it would hold back the money pending a review. This is hugely harmful to schools getting ready for the school year--but not everyone is hit equally. 1/ www.newamerica.org/education-po...
A District-by-District Accounting of the $6.2 billion U.S. Department of Education Has Held Back from Schools
The Education Department is refusing to release billions of dollars for public schools. See the impact by school system and congressional district.
www.newamerica.org
July 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
New data analysis from @zahavastadler.bsky.social and Jordan Abbott shows how much each school district will lose if USED continues withholding funds expected this summer. Kids in the most need lose the most. Such a cruel and pointless move by the administration.
What happens when diverse thinkers unite around the science of learning?
⭐ We showcase prototypes LSX Fellows co-designed w/ #K12 educators + parents to reimagine how families and schools can build dialogue.
Explore these inspiring—and replicable!—projects below
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
⭐ We showcase prototypes LSX Fellows co-designed w/ #K12 educators + parents to reimagine how families and schools can build dialogue.
Explore these inspiring—and replicable!—projects below
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
www.newamerica.org
June 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
What happens when diverse thinkers unite around the science of learning?
⭐ We showcase prototypes LSX Fellows co-designed w/ #K12 educators + parents to reimagine how families and schools can build dialogue.
Explore these inspiring—and replicable!—projects below
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
⭐ We showcase prototypes LSX Fellows co-designed w/ #K12 educators + parents to reimagine how families and schools can build dialogue.
Explore these inspiring—and replicable!—projects below
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Can schools shift from minimalist family outreach to true partnerships with parents?
Three in Pennsylvania did. This video shows the "slow-it-down" process that is helping to build trust and better school-to-family engagement. A new slant on "parents rights"?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAYP...
Three in Pennsylvania did. This video shows the "slow-it-down" process that is helping to build trust and better school-to-family engagement. A new slant on "parents rights"?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAYP...
June 25, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Can schools shift from minimalist family outreach to true partnerships with parents?
Three in Pennsylvania did. This video shows the "slow-it-down" process that is helping to build trust and better school-to-family engagement. A new slant on "parents rights"?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAYP...
Three in Pennsylvania did. This video shows the "slow-it-down" process that is helping to build trust and better school-to-family engagement. A new slant on "parents rights"?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAYP...
Low-cost innovations that can be used by schools and communities around the country. #familyengagement #buildingtrust #cross-sector #scienceoflearning
Can schools shift from minimalist family outreach to true partnerships with parents?
Three of them in Pennsylvania did! 🏫🏫🏫
Read about their success and learn how new tools—and the right tech—can build trust and better school-to-family engagement in other communities too.
Three of them in Pennsylvania did! 🏫🏫🏫
Read about their success and learn how new tools—and the right tech—can build trust and better school-to-family engagement in other communities too.
What Parents Want: How Policies Can Spur School-to-Family Connections and Build Trust
Through an innovative fellowship model, a group of education leaders designed four projects to build lasting relationships between parents, caregivers, school leaders, and teachers.
www.newamerica.org
June 25, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Low-cost innovations that can be used by schools and communities around the country. #familyengagement #buildingtrust #cross-sector #scienceoflearning
New ideas for revitalizing the teacher workforce, with excellent analysis and a 50-state scan by @melissatooley.bsky.social
Some states struggle to recruit and retain their #teachers. How can we fix it?
Today on #TeacherAppreciationDay, we’re releasing new analysis and recommendations for school leaders to strengthen the #educator workforce by harnessing high-quality micro-credentials.
♥️🍎♥️
Today on #TeacherAppreciationDay, we’re releasing new analysis and recommendations for school leaders to strengthen the #educator workforce by harnessing high-quality micro-credentials.
♥️🍎♥️
May 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
New ideas for revitalizing the teacher workforce, with excellent analysis and a 50-state scan by @melissatooley.bsky.social
Democracy requires freedom of the press and an informed public. The @GBH Media Summit championed both over the last 2 days, incl brilliant talk w/Carla Hayden of LOC at @bpl.boston.gov www.wgbh.org/collections/...
May 1, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Democracy requires freedom of the press and an informed public. The @GBH Media Summit championed both over the last 2 days, incl brilliant talk w/Carla Hayden of LOC at @bpl.boston.gov www.wgbh.org/collections/...
Today at my work place, a series of inspiring speakers — all of whom have stood up against the executive orders and other actions by autocrats trying to dismantle our democracy. TY Rep. Crow & @newamerica.org
"We need you all to stick together because if there was ever a moment "Divided We Fall," this is it. Don't let us fall."
In special remarks, Representative @crow.house.gov delivers a message to civil servants and implores advocates of democracy to stay focused and stay in the fight.
In special remarks, Representative @crow.house.gov delivers a message to civil servants and implores advocates of democracy to stay focused and stay in the fight.
April 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Today at my work place, a series of inspiring speakers — all of whom have stood up against the executive orders and other actions by autocrats trying to dismantle our democracy. TY Rep. Crow & @newamerica.org
Today! Online event at 3:30 pm ET on how to teach civil rights history — and hidden and hard history too — with digital primary sources in public libraries. Of interest to @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #socialstudies #education # www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Teaching the History of Civil Rights Through Digital Primary Sources: Introducing the 1939 Library Sit-In
Join the Pre-K-12 Policy Program to discuss what it takes to ensure that students have opportunities to analyze and learn from primary sources.
www.newamerica.org
April 22, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Today! Online event at 3:30 pm ET on how to teach civil rights history — and hidden and hard history too — with digital primary sources in public libraries. Of interest to @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social #socialstudies #education # www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
What are the implications of #math placement practices? Are there unintended consequences?
NEXT WEEK, join @justequations.bsky.social and our senior director @elenasilva.bsky.social to learn how to eliminate barriers and improve access to math education.
📍 Online
📆 4/10
🕚 11am PT
↘️ RSVP for #TMO25
NEXT WEEK, join @justequations.bsky.social and our senior director @elenasilva.bsky.social to learn how to eliminate barriers and improve access to math education.
📍 Online
📆 4/10
🕚 11am PT
↘️ RSVP for #TMO25
April 2, 2025 at 4:44 PM
What are the implications of #math placement practices? Are there unintended consequences?
NEXT WEEK, join @justequations.bsky.social and our senior director @elenasilva.bsky.social to learn how to eliminate barriers and improve access to math education.
📍 Online
📆 4/10
🕚 11am PT
↘️ RSVP for #TMO25
NEXT WEEK, join @justequations.bsky.social and our senior director @elenasilva.bsky.social to learn how to eliminate barriers and improve access to math education.
📍 Online
📆 4/10
🕚 11am PT
↘️ RSVP for #TMO25
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
April 1, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The vast majority of staff at the Institute of Museum and Library Services were put on administrative leave yesterday. This will hurt communities across the US. Here I write about the illegality of gutting IMLS +what this means #forlibraries, museums and students: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Federal Funding for Libraries and Museums on the Chopping Block
A Trump executive order calls for elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. But most of its programs are protected by law.
www.newamerica.org
April 1, 2025 at 2:39 PM
The vast majority of staff at the Institute of Museum and Library Services were put on administrative leave yesterday. This will hurt communities across the US. Here I write about the illegality of gutting IMLS +what this means #forlibraries, museums and students: www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
"A sure sign of the Trump administration’s intellectual and moral bankruptcy is their compulsion to constantly lie about everything they do." The latest executive order attempting to illegally close the dept. of education is no different. @kevincarey1.bsky.social www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Trump’s Executive Order on Education: Weak, Illegal, and Doomed to Fail
President Trump signs a “short and substance-free” order to close the U.S. Department of Education
www.newamerica.org
March 21, 2025 at 9:37 AM
"A sure sign of the Trump administration’s intellectual and moral bankruptcy is their compulsion to constantly lie about everything they do." The latest executive order attempting to illegally close the dept. of education is no different. @kevincarey1.bsky.social www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
Federal cuts to ED, Medicaid, and more might be catastrophic for supporting young kids with disabilities. Learn more:
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
#Disability #ChildDevelopment #EarlyIntervention #Education #SpecialEducation
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
#Disability #ChildDevelopment #EarlyIntervention #Education #SpecialEducation
Federal Cuts Threaten Babies and Preschoolers with Disabilities from All Angles
Slashing the U.S. Department of Education, Medicaid, and more hurts young children with delays and disabilities.
www.newamerica.org
March 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Federal cuts to ED, Medicaid, and more might be catastrophic for supporting young kids with disabilities. Learn more:
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
#Disability #ChildDevelopment #EarlyIntervention #Education #SpecialEducation
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
#Disability #ChildDevelopment #EarlyIntervention #Education #SpecialEducation
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
If you're in DC, come by our office at 4pm on Wednesday for a book talk on the next evolution of career prep for young people!
@educationwork.newamerica.org
www.newamerica.org/center-educa...
@educationwork.newamerica.org
www.newamerica.org/center-educa...
What’s the Next Evolution of Career Preparation? A Book Talk with Kathleen DeLaski, author of “Who Needs College Anymore?”
Join Kathleen DeLaski to discuss the value of a college education in today's labor market.
www.newamerica.org
March 13, 2025 at 2:31 PM
If you're in DC, come by our office at 4pm on Wednesday for a book talk on the next evolution of career prep for young people!
@educationwork.newamerica.org
www.newamerica.org/center-educa...
@educationwork.newamerica.org
www.newamerica.org/center-educa...
Two tech-focused events @newamerica.org that are, in fact, human-focused. How do we give our fellow humans a chance to learn skills and become informed and productive members of society? We give them access to well-trained teachers and the connectivity to be engaged with the world. RSVP below.
Upcoming at New America
2/25 @educationwork.newamerica.org Tablets and Teaching: When, If, and How in Early Learning
2/26 @techanddemocracy.newamerica.org State and Community Adoption Initiatives: Maximizing Federal Broadband Investments
📅 #NewAmericaEvents https://buff.ly/4hok6zy
2/25 @educationwork.newamerica.org Tablets and Teaching: When, If, and How in Early Learning
2/26 @techanddemocracy.newamerica.org State and Community Adoption Initiatives: Maximizing Federal Broadband Investments
📅 #NewAmericaEvents https://buff.ly/4hok6zy
February 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Two tech-focused events @newamerica.org that are, in fact, human-focused. How do we give our fellow humans a chance to learn skills and become informed and productive members of society? We give them access to well-trained teachers and the connectivity to be engaged with the world. RSVP below.
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
↘️ ↘️ ↘️
As the Senate prepares to confirm Linda McMahon's appointment to destroy the U.S. Department of Education, bookmark @educationwork.newamerica.org's collection of analysis, commentary, and fact sheets about the Department's crucial role in American education.
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Defending the Department of Education
This page collects research, analysis, and commentary related to the Department of Education and a push by the Trump administration to shutter it.
www.newamerica.org
February 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
↘️ ↘️ ↘️
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
The indefatigable @jbeowulf.bsky.social explains how the Department of Education helps college students -- and what's at stake if Trump guts it.
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Here’s How the Education Department Helps College Students—and What’s at Stake if Trump Guts It
Republicans who argue the agency is a bloated bureaucracy miss how it protects students and assists them in climbing the social mobility ladder.
www.newamerica.org
February 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The indefatigable @jbeowulf.bsky.social explains how the Department of Education helps college students -- and what's at stake if Trump guts it.
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Here's what the Institute of Education Sciences does and why sudden cancellations of contracts are counter productive, wasteful, and damaging to efforts to improve teaching and learning. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Why We Need Research and Data at the U.S. Department of Ed
The Institute of Education Sciences funds research and data collection on how students are faring and what helps them succeed. Canceling research already underway will waste public dollars and set Ame...
www.newamerica.org
February 12, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Here's what the Institute of Education Sciences does and why sudden cancellations of contracts are counter productive, wasteful, and damaging to efforts to improve teaching and learning. www.newamerica.org/education-po...
Reposted by Lisa Guernsey
Are you looking for funding and a community of peers to help develop your next big idea?
If so, then New America's Fellows Program wants to hear from you!
Apply to be a part of the 2026 Class of New America Fellows by February 3, 2025.
📝 https://buff.ly/3CEF8dX
If so, then New America's Fellows Program wants to hear from you!
Apply to be a part of the 2026 Class of New America Fellows by February 3, 2025.
📝 https://buff.ly/3CEF8dX
January 29, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Are you looking for funding and a community of peers to help develop your next big idea?
If so, then New America's Fellows Program wants to hear from you!
Apply to be a part of the 2026 Class of New America Fellows by February 3, 2025.
📝 https://buff.ly/3CEF8dX
If so, then New America's Fellows Program wants to hear from you!
Apply to be a part of the 2026 Class of New America Fellows by February 3, 2025.
📝 https://buff.ly/3CEF8dX