Morgan Polikoff
@mpolikoff.bsky.social
🏳️🌈 Educational researcher focused on curriculum, assessment, accountability, public opinion, and the impact of COVID on education. Professor at USC Rossier. Co-director of USC EdPolicy Hub. These are my views, not those of my employer. 🏳️🌈
Pinned
Every time I log onto this app I think “what atrocity has he committed now?”
Abortion rights are very popular, raising healthcare premiums is very unpopular. Seems like an easy decision to me, since republicans will take the blame if this doesn’t pass.
NEWS: Senate Republicans are threatening to block the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies—unless Democrats agree to tougher abortion restrictions.
Republicans demand tougher abortion restrictions to extend Obamacare funds
Democrats say that’s a nonstarter, arguing there are already limits on abortion access. The dispute could torpedo a deal, leading to higher health insurance premiums for millions.
www.nbcnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Abortion rights are very popular, raising healthcare premiums is very unpopular. Seems like an easy decision to me, since republicans will take the blame if this doesn’t pass.
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
The best way to show that MAGA is not part of some dark authoritarian movement is to remove professors who suggest that it is
Indiana University removed a Lecturer from her "Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice" course after a student filed a complaint about a graphic the instructor showed in class, which included "Make America Great Again" as an example of "Covert White Supremacy."
www.wfyi.org/news/article...
www.wfyi.org/news/article...
IU lecturer removed from class during intellectual diversity investigation
A lecturer in the Indiana University School of Social Work has been removed from teaching one of her classes Diversity, Human Rights, and Social Justice while the university investigates a complaint...
www.wfyi.org
November 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The best way to show that MAGA is not part of some dark authoritarian movement is to remove professors who suggest that it is
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
Let's say you take out a $400,000 mortgage loan at 6.25% - and choose a 50-year mortgage instead of 30 years.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
INGRAHAM: Is a 50 year mortgage really a good idea?
TRUMP: It's not even a big deal. You go from 40 to 50 years. All it means is you pay less per month
TRUMP: It's not even a big deal. You go from 40 to 50 years. All it means is you pay less per month
November 11, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Let's say you take out a $400,000 mortgage loan at 6.25% - and choose a 50-year mortgage instead of 30 years.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
In return for saving $283 monthly, you will pay an extra $421,302 in interest over the life of the loan.
Or if you sell at 15 years, will have paid down just $29,000 in equity. Not good.
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
people appear to care a lot more than I do about this one way or the other, but my main question here is why is James Bond falling asleep in the shower
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 4:26 PM
people appear to care a lot more than I do about this one way or the other, but my main question here is why is James Bond falling asleep in the shower
"In the meantime, Democrats can be grateful that Chuck Schumer was here to absorb the rage — somebody had to do it." // Chuck Schumer Is a Convenient Punching Bag. There Was No Happy Outcome for the Shutdown. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
Opinion | Chuck Schumer Is a Convenient Punching Bag. There Was No Happy Outcome for the Shutdown.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
"In the meantime, Democrats can be grateful that Chuck Schumer was here to absorb the rage — somebody had to do it." // Chuck Schumer Is a Convenient Punching Bag. There Was No Happy Outcome for the Shutdown. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
Oh that sounds fun. I’m always looking for *more opportunities to talk to insurance providers.
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Oh that sounds fun. I’m always looking for *more opportunities to talk to insurance providers.
Now let us never speak of Kim 'Thrice-Divorced' Davis again
Breaking News: The Supreme Court denied a request to consider overturning its landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago. nyti.ms/3Ju2Ayd
November 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Now let us never speak of Kim 'Thrice-Divorced' Davis again
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
I am trying to look forward to December. Either the Dems don't get the vote on ACA subsidies they were "promised," or they get a vote and it doesn't pass. Both scenarios are pretty bad for the GOP, right?
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I am trying to look forward to December. Either the Dems don't get the vote on ACA subsidies they were "promised," or they get a vote and it doesn't pass. Both scenarios are pretty bad for the GOP, right?
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
Nice summary of our paper and related work by @tomdee.bsky.social and @kslungaardmumma.bsky.social here.
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
November 10, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Nice summary of our paper and related work by @tomdee.bsky.social and @kslungaardmumma.bsky.social here.
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/11/10/i...
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
(The report card thing reminds me - as things often do - that California officially labels teachers - and a school's faculty - as "ineffective" based on the details of their teaching certifications. Sometimes even if they hold a teaching credential[!].) www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pl/teache...
November 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM
(The report card thing reminds me - as things often do - that California officially labels teachers - and a school's faculty - as "ineffective" based on the details of their teaching certifications. Sometimes even if they hold a teaching credential[!].) www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pl/teache...
I was saying to Joel last night that I think this whole thing sets Democrats up very well--cues up the affordability issue (which @mattyglesias.bsky.social wrote about today)--and it's totally unwinnable in the long term for the GOP. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-qui...
A Quick Take on Team Cave’s Big Win
I have what I suspect is a somewhat counterintuitive take on the...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I was saying to Joel last night that I think this whole thing sets Democrats up very well--cues up the affordability issue (which @mattyglesias.bsky.social wrote about today)--and it's totally unwinnable in the long term for the GOP. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/a-qui...
THIS:
"But don’t tell me nothing has changed or that this is some cataclysmic disaster. ... It demonstrated that Democrats can go to the mat when the public is behind them and not pay a political price. It dramatically damaged Donald Trump. It cued up the central arguments of the 2026 campaign."
"But don’t tell me nothing has changed or that this is some cataclysmic disaster. ... It demonstrated that Democrats can go to the mat when the public is behind them and not pay a political price. It dramatically damaged Donald Trump. It cued up the central arguments of the 2026 campaign."
I like the analogy here from @joshtpm.bsky.social . The Democrats were driving down the field and then fumbled the ball near the goal line.
A Quick Take on Team Cave’s Big Win
I have what I suspect is a somewhat counterintuitive take on the...
talkingpointsmemo.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:14 PM
THIS:
"But don’t tell me nothing has changed or that this is some cataclysmic disaster. ... It demonstrated that Democrats can go to the mat when the public is behind them and not pay a political price. It dramatically damaged Donald Trump. It cued up the central arguments of the 2026 campaign."
"But don’t tell me nothing has changed or that this is some cataclysmic disaster. ... It demonstrated that Democrats can go to the mat when the public is behind them and not pay a political price. It dramatically damaged Donald Trump. It cued up the central arguments of the 2026 campaign."
I would be very annoyed that my hotel alarm clock went off unexpectedly at 5:55 am if I hadn't been awake since 3:30 🙃
November 10, 2025 at 2:00 PM
I would be very annoyed that my hotel alarm clock went off unexpectedly at 5:55 am if I hadn't been awake since 3:30 🙃
brb stockpiling De Cecco
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves — The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of tariffs it has levied
apple.news
November 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
brb stockpiling De Cecco
This, from the rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, was very helpful to me to understand the existential concerns of some of my Jewish friends about the mayor-elect (concerns I don’t particularly share (for now), but now grasp better) m.youtube.com/watch?si=9zi...
On the Election of Zohran Mamdani
YouTube video by Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
m.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:49 PM
This, from the rabbi of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, was very helpful to me to understand the existential concerns of some of my Jewish friends about the mayor-elect (concerns I don’t particularly share (for now), but now grasp better) m.youtube.com/watch?si=9zi...
It’s not good.
New evidence on how ICE is affecting student learning
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erU5Oe0vJYdVjuqQi4sfhUGxS0BGjWl8/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erU5Oe0vJYdVjuqQi4sfhUGxS0BGjWl8/view?usp=drivesdk
November 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It’s not good.
And the dire health insurance situation plays directly into democrats’ “affordability” narrative. Bad for Americans, good for the 2026 wave.
Trump promised lower prices which is clearly what people want but he not only hasn’t delivered it, there’s no way to accomplish this short of a huge depression.
He’s now in an unfixable mess.
www.slowboring.com/p/affordabil...
He’s now in an unfixable mess.
www.slowboring.com/p/affordabil...
“Affordability” is just high nominal prices
I think Trump is totally screwed on this one
www.slowboring.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:58 AM
And the dire health insurance situation plays directly into democrats’ “affordability” narrative. Bad for Americans, good for the 2026 wave.
Listen there’s only one party absolutely desperate to raise health insurance premiums and that’s republicans. 🤷♂️
November 10, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Listen there’s only one party absolutely desperate to raise health insurance premiums and that’s republicans. 🤷♂️
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
Sports gambling is a cancer.
Literally coordinating mid-game by phone to rig pitches
November 9, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Sports gambling is a cancer.
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
Is social media to blame for teens’ mental health decline?
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Is social media to blame for teens’ mental health decline?
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
Intuition says yes—but RCTs find only small short-term effects when users quit.
This new preprint argues these studies don’t prove social media isn’t to blame.
Here’s why: 3 reasons.
Do I know anyone who could help me out with formatting a short article in LaTeX for a math journal? Happy to pay for effort.
November 8, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Do I know anyone who could help me out with formatting a short article in LaTeX for a math journal? Happy to pay for effort.
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
Chris Rufo/Ron DeSantis overhauled New College and made it "the most financially inefficient school in the university system"
Degree yield is 19%, 2nd-worst in Fla.
Operating funds per student at New College: $83,207
Same category at Univ of Florida: $45,765
www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/e...
Degree yield is 19%, 2nd-worst in Fla.
Operating funds per student at New College: $83,207
Same category at Univ of Florida: $45,765
www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/e...
New College of Florida shows soaring expenses as state targets 'woke waste'
A report by Florida DOGE found that Sarasota's New College is the most financially inefficient school in the university system.
www.heraldtribune.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Chris Rufo/Ron DeSantis overhauled New College and made it "the most financially inefficient school in the university system"
Degree yield is 19%, 2nd-worst in Fla.
Operating funds per student at New College: $83,207
Same category at Univ of Florida: $45,765
www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/e...
Degree yield is 19%, 2nd-worst in Fla.
Operating funds per student at New College: $83,207
Same category at Univ of Florida: $45,765
www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/e...
Reposted by Morgan Polikoff
This is nightmare fuel for those struggling with their mental health, especially children.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 2:11 AM
This is nightmare fuel for those struggling with their mental health, especially children.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
Pritzker/Sandwich Guy 2028
November 7, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Pritzker/Sandwich Guy 2028