Michael Dannenberg
@mdannenberg1.bsky.social
Deputy Commissioner for Policy, MA Dept of Higher Ed; former aide Sec. Arne Duncan (Obama Admin), Sen. Kennedy (D-MA), & Sen. Pell (D-RI). Posts my own.
My vision. Every college degree program comes embedded with a work-based learning experience (a paid internship for those with need), & every student graduates with a skill-based certification upon degree completion. Work matters. Skills matter.
@ginaraimondo.bsky.social
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social
@ginaraimondo.bsky.social
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social
e.ga
October 31, 2025 at 1:35 PM
My vision. Every college degree program comes embedded with a work-based learning experience (a paid internship for those with need), & every student graduates with a skill-based certification upon degree completion. Work matters. Skills matter.
@ginaraimondo.bsky.social
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social
@ginaraimondo.bsky.social
@petebuttigieg.bsky.social
A 2028 hopeful should go big on work study, strengthen it, & better tie it to academic programs. The Trump admin has proposed an 82% cut to work study even though students who complete a paid internship are half as likely to be underemployed post-graduation. Help them & show Ds value work. #Clinton
October 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
A 2028 hopeful should go big on work study, strengthen it, & better tie it to academic programs. The Trump admin has proposed an 82% cut to work study even though students who complete a paid internship are half as likely to be underemployed post-graduation. Help them & show Ds value work. #Clinton
Seems to me any college has good grounds to sue and seek an injunction stopping implementation of the Trump administration’s “compact” with higher ed. It runs directly counter to 20 USC 1232’s prohibition on direct or indirect federal control of academic programming. The law still matters, right?!
October 15, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Seems to me any college has good grounds to sue and seek an injunction stopping implementation of the Trump administration’s “compact” with higher ed. It runs directly counter to 20 USC 1232’s prohibition on direct or indirect federal control of academic programming. The law still matters, right?!
Reposted by Michael Dannenberg
Doesn't have to be the @barackobama.bsky.social + @arneduncan.bsky.social one (though I think it has many elements worth reanimating), but we've gotta offer something that's about using public institutions to change policies to make schools fairer and better (while ALSO funding them better).
October 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Doesn't have to be the @barackobama.bsky.social + @arneduncan.bsky.social one (though I think it has many elements worth reanimating), but we've gotta offer something that's about using public institutions to change policies to make schools fairer and better (while ALSO funding them better).
Education “reform advocates should always want…bipartisan support…[I]t makes for a stronger & more durable coalition,” says @michaelpetrilli.bsky.social True, but sometimes that’s not enough (see NCLB). You need the upper middle class as well. schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com?utm_campaign...
SCHOOLED | Michael J. Petrilli | Substack
SCHOOLED is Michael J. Petrilli’s twice-weekly newsletter restarting the ed reform conversation. Expect sharp analysis, curated commentary, and lively debates—including from YOU. This is one newslette...
schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Education “reform advocates should always want…bipartisan support…[I]t makes for a stronger & more durable coalition,” says @michaelpetrilli.bsky.social True, but sometimes that’s not enough (see NCLB). You need the upper middle class as well. schooledbymikepetrilli.substack.com?utm_campaign...
Reposted by Michael Dannenberg
It's clearer by the day that Columbia making a deal with Trump in July was a catastrophe for higher education as a whole. It gave terrible people a bottomless appetite for extortion. The other eight universities must follow MIT's lead.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
M.I.T. Rejects a White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:44 PM
It's clearer by the day that Columbia making a deal with Trump in July was a catastrophe for higher education as a whole. It gave terrible people a bottomless appetite for extortion. The other eight universities must follow MIT's lead.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/10/u...
There’s a new campaign asking alumni to urge their alma maters to reject the Trump administration’s latest shakedown of higher ed.
They should start a PAC as well. Use participatory democracy to defeat those who would destroy it. @bluehaveninit.bsky.social
alumni.controlshift.app/petitions/tr...
They should start a PAC as well. Use participatory democracy to defeat those who would destroy it. @bluehaveninit.bsky.social
alumni.controlshift.app/petitions/tr...
STAND WITH YOUR SCHOOL: Trump attacks 9 universities. Sign the alumni petition now.
Are you an alum from one of the 9 schools the federal government just attacked? Sign this alumni petition now to support your school, defend democracy, and build a grassroots movement for campus freed...
alumni.controlshift.app
October 9, 2025 at 12:19 PM
There’s a new campaign asking alumni to urge their alma maters to reject the Trump administration’s latest shakedown of higher ed.
They should start a PAC as well. Use participatory democracy to defeat those who would destroy it. @bluehaveninit.bsky.social
alumni.controlshift.app/petitions/tr...
They should start a PAC as well. Use participatory democracy to defeat those who would destroy it. @bluehaveninit.bsky.social
alumni.controlshift.app/petitions/tr...
Democrats should go in the opposite direction of Mamdani on gifted programs. There should be more, not fewer of them. And we should reward students who fast track through school.
@rahmemanuel.bsky.social
@joshshapiro.bsky.social
@all4ed.org @crpe.bsky.social
all4ed.org/wp-content/u...
@rahmemanuel.bsky.social
@joshshapiro.bsky.social
@all4ed.org @crpe.bsky.social
all4ed.org/wp-content/u...
all4ed.org
October 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Democrats should go in the opposite direction of Mamdani on gifted programs. There should be more, not fewer of them. And we should reward students who fast track through school.
@rahmemanuel.bsky.social
@joshshapiro.bsky.social
@all4ed.org @crpe.bsky.social
all4ed.org/wp-content/u...
@rahmemanuel.bsky.social
@joshshapiro.bsky.social
@all4ed.org @crpe.bsky.social
all4ed.org/wp-content/u...
My K-12 ed reform recipe list:
1) Time- Think summer learning
2) Teachers- Better trained, better paid
3) Rigor- High standards & acctly for all
4) Relevance- Curricula that resonates & matches the research; &
5) Student Motivation- Policies that facilitate success
@mattyglesias.bsky.social
1) Time- Think summer learning
2) Teachers- Better trained, better paid
3) Rigor- High standards & acctly for all
4) Relevance- Curricula that resonates & matches the research; &
5) Student Motivation- Policies that facilitate success
@mattyglesias.bsky.social
October 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
My K-12 ed reform recipe list:
1) Time- Think summer learning
2) Teachers- Better trained, better paid
3) Rigor- High standards & acctly for all
4) Relevance- Curricula that resonates & matches the research; &
5) Student Motivation- Policies that facilitate success
@mattyglesias.bsky.social
1) Time- Think summer learning
2) Teachers- Better trained, better paid
3) Rigor- High standards & acctly for all
4) Relevance- Curricula that resonates & matches the research; &
5) Student Motivation- Policies that facilitate success
@mattyglesias.bsky.social
Reading Skills Hit a New Low. The real question is why doesn't anyone care? Why doesn't the Democratic Party care? I submit it's because mainly it's the lowest achieving students who are declining. Political power rests with parents of middle & high achieving students www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/u...
Reading Skills of 12th Graders Hit a New Low
www.nytimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Reading Skills Hit a New Low. The real question is why doesn't anyone care? Why doesn't the Democratic Party care? I submit it's because mainly it's the lowest achieving students who are declining. Political power rests with parents of middle & high achieving students www.nytimes.com/2025/09/09/u...
So, which is it? Clamp down on international students and base policy on (anecdotal) stories of “forever students” OR recognize the contributions international students bring to American higher education and support our higher education trade _surplus_? apnews.com/article/chin...
Trump saying 600,000 Chinese students could come to the US draws MAGA backlash
President Donald Trump has sparked backlash from some members of his loyal base by saying his administration would allow 600,000 Chinese students into American universities.
apnews.com
August 28, 2025 at 5:50 PM
So, which is it? Clamp down on international students and base policy on (anecdotal) stories of “forever students” OR recognize the contributions international students bring to American higher education and support our higher education trade _surplus_? apnews.com/article/chin...
Reposted by Michael Dannenberg
The weight given to non-academic criteria ('character', etc) and the discretionary admissions process really are odd characteristics of the US university system. Biased, privilege-protecting results plus lots of resentment is precisely what one would predict this leads to.
August 23, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The weight given to non-academic criteria ('character', etc) and the discretionary admissions process really are odd characteristics of the US university system. Biased, privilege-protecting results plus lots of resentment is precisely what one would predict this leads to.
In education and beyond, Democrats need to offer real solutions to that which rightly fuels populist rage. As long as we’re just against Trump without offering compelling, lasting solutions to the ways in which the deck is stacked against working people, we will lose. @dynarski.bsky.social
August 23, 2025 at 4:08 PM
In education and beyond, Democrats need to offer real solutions to that which rightly fuels populist rage. As long as we’re just against Trump without offering compelling, lasting solutions to the ways in which the deck is stacked against working people, we will lose. @dynarski.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Dannenberg
My take on the threat Trump poses to our system of higher education- America’s crown jewel.
He is destroying the goose that has laid our golden egg, as he attempts to destroy democracy.
We must resist- together!
You can open a free account to read my open letter.
www.chronicle.com/article/an-o...
He is destroying the goose that has laid our golden egg, as he attempts to destroy democracy.
We must resist- together!
You can open a free account to read my open letter.
www.chronicle.com/article/an-o...
An Open Letter From Arne Duncan
The former secretary of education weighs in on Trump’s attacks.
www.chronicle.com
August 1, 2025 at 1:55 AM
My take on the threat Trump poses to our system of higher education- America’s crown jewel.
He is destroying the goose that has laid our golden egg, as he attempts to destroy democracy.
We must resist- together!
You can open a free account to read my open letter.
www.chronicle.com/article/an-o...
He is destroying the goose that has laid our golden egg, as he attempts to destroy democracy.
We must resist- together!
You can open a free account to read my open letter.
www.chronicle.com/article/an-o...
Still waiting on the Trump administration to declare the legacy preference an unlawful violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. It carries just as much if not more of a disparate impact as the DEI policies the Trump administration continues to attack and declare unlawful.
🚨 Breaking News | Justice Department Declares DEI Unlawful
The nine-page memo builds on the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs. bit.ly/4l091FL
#HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky
The nine-page memo builds on the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs. bit.ly/4l091FL
#HigherEd #EDUSky #AcademicSky
DOJ Declares Slew of DEI Practices Unlawful in Memo
The nine-page memo builds on the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
bit.ly
July 31, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Still waiting on the Trump administration to declare the legacy preference an unlawful violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. It carries just as much if not more of a disparate impact as the DEI policies the Trump administration continues to attack and declare unlawful.
More and more folks are suggesting elite colleges embrace an “abundance agenda” to self-mitigate the effects of the endowment tax. 🤔
@ezraklein.bsky.social @dkthomp.bsky.social @mattyglesias.bsky.social
@glastris.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/23/m...
@ezraklein.bsky.social @dkthomp.bsky.social @mattyglesias.bsky.social
@glastris.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/23/m...
Universities are grappling with how to pay new endowment taxes. Some analysts say the answer is to admit more students. - The Boston Globe
More than a dozen schools across the nation are expected to fall under the top tax rate in the new Republican tax and spending law, including Harvard and MIT.
www.bostonglobe.com
July 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
More and more folks are suggesting elite colleges embrace an “abundance agenda” to self-mitigate the effects of the endowment tax. 🤔
@ezraklein.bsky.social @dkthomp.bsky.social @mattyglesias.bsky.social
@glastris.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/23/m...
@ezraklein.bsky.social @dkthomp.bsky.social @mattyglesias.bsky.social
@glastris.bsky.social
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/23/m...
The tragic fall of #UVa’s Jim Ryan is yet another indication that the Trump administration’s war on higher ed will not abate. Defensive lawsuits are good, but not enough. Time for higher ed to hit back and use participatory democracy to defeat those who would destroy it. #Harvard
Higher ed needs to start acting like a forceful special interest. Engage in polling, do msg development, mobilize students, make hard $ campaign contributions, finance soft $ campaigns…Call it the Campaign for Academic Freedom & hire a campaign professional. Do it now www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/u...
University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration
www.nytimes.com
June 30, 2025 at 1:19 PM
It’s politically negligent that the Association of American University Professors doesn’t have a PAC like other interest groups. Scores of #Harvard professors already have pledged 10%(!) of their salaries to help Harvard fight the Trump admin. Imagine that nationally. #UVA @dynarski.bsky.social
Higher ed needs to start acting like a forceful special interest. Engage in polling, do msg development, mobilize students, make hard $ campaign contributions, finance soft $ campaigns…Call it the Campaign for Academic Freedom & hire a campaign professional. Do it now www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/u...
University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration
www.nytimes.com
June 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
It’s politically negligent that the Association of American University Professors doesn’t have a PAC like other interest groups. Scores of #Harvard professors already have pledged 10%(!) of their salaries to help Harvard fight the Trump admin. Imagine that nationally. #UVA @dynarski.bsky.social
Higher ed needs to start acting like a forceful special interest. Engage in polling, do msg development, mobilize students, make hard $ campaign contributions, finance soft $ campaigns…Call it the Campaign for Academic Freedom & hire a campaign professional. Do it now www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/u...
University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration
www.nytimes.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Higher ed needs to start acting like a forceful special interest. Engage in polling, do msg development, mobilize students, make hard $ campaign contributions, finance soft $ campaigns…Call it the Campaign for Academic Freedom & hire a campaign professional. Do it now www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/u...
Reposted by Michael Dannenberg
Five things to remember about war:
June 22, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Five things to remember about war:
The House GOP “Big, [Not] Beautiful Bill” is replete with massive financial aid cuts - over $330 BILLION worth. And yet there’s barely a peep about it from elected Dems who rightly focus on even larger Medicaid cuts. Still, think about what the lack of attention to education says about where we are.
Contact Congress NOW to Oppose Cuts to Student Aid Programs
Please contact your representatives and senators now to urge them to oppose FY 2025 funding cuts for federal student aid programs such as Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Gran...
www.votervoice.net
June 20, 2025 at 2:22 AM
The House GOP “Big, [Not] Beautiful Bill” is replete with massive financial aid cuts - over $330 BILLION worth. And yet there’s barely a peep about it from elected Dems who rightly focus on even larger Medicaid cuts. Still, think about what the lack of attention to education says about where we are.
End of course exams are working in North Carolina. Other states should take heed. @michaelpetrilli.bsky.social
The end of MCAS is the end of an era. Now let’s figure out what comes next.
With the number of states requiring students to pass exams in order to earn a diploma now down to the single digits, this feels like the end of an era. What should we do now? Let’s start by getting th...
fordhaminstitute.org
June 19, 2025 at 5:26 PM
End of course exams are working in North Carolina. Other states should take heed. @michaelpetrilli.bsky.social
The federal endowment tax (and massive GOP proposed increase) applies only to colleges with over $500,000 in wealth per student. If colleges subject to the current endowment tax let in enough more students, they could escape the tax entirely. #Abundance @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @dkthomp.bsky.social
May 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The federal endowment tax (and massive GOP proposed increase) applies only to colleges with over $500,000 in wealth per student. If colleges subject to the current endowment tax let in enough more students, they could escape the tax entirely. #Abundance @ezrakleinbot.bsky.social @dkthomp.bsky.social
A progressive elite higher ed acctly agenda: Cap tuition at super-wealthy colleges that needlessly charge working class & poor students; Condition tax-exempt status on getting rid of unfair admission practices; & Link the endowment tax to working class enrollment. www.nydailynews.com/2019/12/27/a...
A college access wakeup call for Dems
There’s a rumor in D.C., and it’s one that could pose a challenge for Democrats. There’s buzz in Washington that President Trump, concerned about a populist challenge from the lef…
www.nydailynews.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
A progressive elite higher ed acctly agenda: Cap tuition at super-wealthy colleges that needlessly charge working class & poor students; Condition tax-exempt status on getting rid of unfair admission practices; & Link the endowment tax to working class enrollment. www.nydailynews.com/2019/12/27/a...
Democrats should’ve gotten out front on the elite college access issue yrs ago. The below op-ed says among other things the size of the endowment tax should be linked to rich colleges’ enrollment of their fair share of talented working-class & low-income students. www.nydailynews.com/2019/12/27/a...
A college access wakeup call for Dems
There’s a rumor in D.C., and it’s one that could pose a challenge for Democrats. There’s buzz in Washington that President Trump, concerned about a populist challenge from the lef…
www.nydailynews.com
May 11, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Democrats should’ve gotten out front on the elite college access issue yrs ago. The below op-ed says among other things the size of the endowment tax should be linked to rich colleges’ enrollment of their fair share of talented working-class & low-income students. www.nydailynews.com/2019/12/27/a...