Katharine Meyer
@katharinemeyer.bsky.social
📤 2153
📥 361
📝 52
Higher education policy researcher | would rather be reading |
https://kem3e.github.io/
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Brookings Institution
6 days ago
New research from Jon Valant, Ariell Bertrand, Rachel M. Perera, and Nicolas Zerbino examines how COVID, culture-war conflicts, and political tensions have impacted America's school boards—and how board members themselves feel about serving during this pivotal moment.
loading . . .
America's school boards | Brookings
A look at the America's most accessible political institutions in an era of conflict and partisan division.
https://brook.gs/4eEt0K9
0
4
2
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Anna Egalite
8 days ago
I wrote about the quiet erosion of the five day school week. Take Wake County Public Schools, for example, where students will experience only two uninterrupted five-day instructional weeks in Sept, Nov, Dec, and Mar next year. I worry we haven't fully considered the costs of this policy choice.
1
8
4
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Robert Kelchen
10 days ago
In this blog post, I put together an updated dataset of how colleges have fared over the last decade on: --Net margin --Enrollment --State appropriations --Endowments Most colleges struggled with enrollment, but appropriations and endowment were generally strong. Play around with the data!
loading . . .
An Updated Look at the Financial Health of American Higher Education
I frequently get asked by reporters and policymakers to provide my thoughts on the stability of individual colleges, which takes me on many fun trips through financial statements, IRS Form 990 fili…
https://robertkelchen.com/2026/06/08/an-updated-look-at-the-financial-health-of-american-higher-education/
1
16
5
Kudos to my brilliant colleagues on their new report "America's school boards"! Using original surveys, media reports, & voter data, Jon Valant, Rachel Perera, Nico Zerbino & Ariell Bertrand dive into "the most accessible of our democratic institutions"
www.brookings.edu/collection/a...
loading . . .
America's school boards | Brookings
A look at the America's most accessible political institutions in an era of conflict and partisan division.
https://www.brookings.edu/collection/americas-school-boards/
13 days ago
1
8
2
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Eddy Conroy
about 1 month ago
Turns out it is possible to make financial aid simpler for students! The FAFSA is working, more students are applying for and qualifying to college, and qualifying for aid.
@donmoyn.bsky.social
was nice enough to have me guest author for Can We Still Govern
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/good-news-...
loading . . .
Good News! FAFSA is Actually Working
It is possible to fix burdensome administrative systems
https://donmoynihan.substack.com/p/good-news-fafsa-is-actually-working
4
57
26
🚨 Getting state ‘free college’ right: Design choices that matter In a new report,
@isabelmcmullen.bsky.social
and I highlight what we know about state free college and suggest how policymakers can update programs for a changing higher education landscape:
www.brookings.edu/articles/get...
loading . . .
Getting state 'free college' right: Design choices that matter | Brookings
Katharine Meyer and Isabel McMullen assess state "free college" designs, showing how simple, generous aid boosts completion.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/getting-state-free-college-right-design-choices-that-matter/
about 2 months ago
0
6
3
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Cara Jackson
2 months ago
Reflecting on
#AEFP2026
:
@dbassok.bsky.social
, Michal & I talk about the amazing work the
@aefpweb.bsky.social
community is doing 💗 Many thanks to the
@brookings.edu
team, especially Jon Valant,
@rachelmarisa.bsky.social
& Mike Hansen for helpful feedback.
www.brookings.edu/articles/reb...
loading . . .
Rebuilding IES to amplify the impact of education research on student outcomes | Brookings
Leaders of AEFP discuss the state of education policy research and the future of the Institute of Education Sciences.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/rebuilding-ies-to-amplify-the-impact-of-education-research-on-student-outcomes/
0
9
6
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Molly Reynolds
2 months ago
New data for the 2024 election and the 119th Congress is available here:
www.brookings.edu/articles/vit...
loading . . .
Vital Statistics on Congress | Brookings
Vital Statistics on Congress is a collection of impartial data on the U.S. Congress. It includes more than 90 tables of data related to Congress’ members and activities, many of which date back nearly...
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/vital-statistics-on-congress/
1
16
11
Checking in on the Department of Education - a year(ish) into the second Trump administration and ahead of SOTU tomorrow, we looked back at what has happened to ED and what you might expect in the year ahead
www.brookings.edu/articles/faq...
loading . . .
FAQs: Checking in on the Department of Education | Brookings
A year into the second Trump administration, Brown Center scholars offer a check-in on the Department of Education—what has happened and what might lie ahead.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/faqs-checking-in-on-the-department-of-education/
4 months ago
1
5
3
🚨Sharing my newest post - A coordinated retreat from college access: What TRIO and GEAR UP cuts reveal
www.brookings.edu/articles/a-c...
loading . . .
A coordinated retreat from college access: What TRIO and GEAR UP cuts reveal | Brookings
Katharine Meyer discusses how TRIO and GEAR UP programs have been impacted by the first year of the Trump administration.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-coordinated-retreat-from-college-access-what-trio-and-gear-up-cuts-reveal/
4 months ago
0
0
2
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
NPR
5 months ago
A new report warns that AI poses a serious threat to children's cognitive development and emotional well-being.
n.pr/4pA3kkl
loading . . .
The risks of AI in schools outweigh the benefits, report says
A new report warns that AI poses a serious threat to children's cognitive development and emotional well-being.
https://n.pr/4pA3kkl
36
673
308
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Dominique Baker
5 months ago
It would appear I am now a columnist at Inside Higher Ed. My first piece focuses on McCarthyism, censorship, and our current moment in higher education. This is an essay I started nearly 6 months ago so I'm glad to finally share it with y'all.
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...
loading . . .
Censorship Arrives on Campus
In her debut column, “Echoes in the Quad,” higher education policy scholar Dominique J. Baker explores how the political oppression of the McCarthy era reverberates in the stifling of academic freedom...
https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/columns/echoes-quad/2026/01/13/censorship-arrives-campus
47
943
315
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Beth Schueler
5 months ago
Addressing these questions requires a team effort. To that end, we're hiring a postdoc to start summer 2026. Please submit your materials by the end of the month and/or share the posting:
postdocs.stanford.edu/prospective/...
loading . . .
Open Postdoctoral position, faculty mentor Beth Schueler | Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
https://postdocs.stanford.edu/prospective/opportunities/open-postdoctoral-position-faculty-mentor-beth-schueler
1
9
11
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
The Washington Post
6 months ago
The D.C. region saw the largest increase in home sale listings of any major metro area, according to the Brookings Institution. 2025 has changed the “trajectory of the District’s economy,” said one expert. Here's why:
loading . . .
D.C. region heads into 2026 with an economy teetering toward recession
Economic indicators show declines in retail sales, hotel numbers and a rise in empty office space
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/12/31/economic-decline-dc/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social
8
33
9
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Cara Jackson
6 months ago
This !@#$% year in review: the wrecking ball that was February 2025 brought the abrupt end to many Institute of Education Sciences contracts for data collection, evaluation and research.
www.brookings.edu/articles/cut...
🧵
loading . . .
Cutting research funding would make education less effective and efficient | Brookings
Presidents of education research associations explain the impacts of recent funding cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/cutting-research-funding-would-make-education-less-effective-and-efficient/
2
25
18
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Joshua Goodman
7 months ago
We first note that hand-wringing about the decline in US college enrollments has mistakenly linked such declines to the price of four-year colleges. But the decline is entirely driven by two-year community colleges (and by for-profit colleges). The four-year sector is the dog that didn't bark.
10
292
103
This Thanksgiving, my eight year old is thankful for quality higher ed 😂 We’ll maybe hold off on debt-to-earnings conversations until she’s a few years older…
7 months ago
1
4
0
The “professional” loan limit discourse this past week has been wild. I wrote up some thoughts on what recent policies and neg-reg actions actually mean and what impacts on graduate studies we should be focusing on:
www.brookings.edu/articles/def...
loading . . .
Defining professional programs: Why evidence and clarity matter in ED’s rulemaking | Brookings
Katharine Meyer discusses recent changes to student loan caps and clarifies misconceptions on the borrowing limits established by OBBBA.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/defining-professional-programs-why-evidence-and-clarity-matter-in-eds-rulemaking/
7 months ago
2
2
2
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Mary Quiroga
7 months ago
5/5 Bottom line: extreme heat is undermining teacher productivity and reshaping learning in ways we’ve totally missed. As heat waves become more common, schools with older workforces or weak cooling systems will be especially vulnerable. Climate change is already affecting American teachers.
2
14
3
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Annenberg Institute
7 months ago
📢 New postdoc opportunity at Annenberg! The Annenberg Institute is seeking a postdoctoral research associate for a 2‐year appointment to join a diverse community of scholars committed to educational equity and improvement! More info here:
annenberg.brown.edu/opportunitie...
0
18
23
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Annenberg Institute
7 months ago
📢
#EdWorkingPapers
: Behind the scenes of student success interventions: Faculty & staff collaborate and make key changes that strengthen low-touch supports 🔍@ellenbryer.bsky.social,
@catherinematah.bsky.social
,
@katharinemeyer.bsky.social
& @linzpage.bsky.social 📄
edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1314
0
3
4
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Lauren Bauer
7 months ago
NEWS (?): The formula that USDA has asked states to use to get to 50 percent of SNAP benefits *does not produce a number that is 50 percent of benefits* for any family that has net income. Illustrative example below.
www.fns.usda.gov/snap/benefit...
10
67
38
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Matt Barnum
9 months ago
This is my last week at the Wall Street Journal. I'll be returning to Chalkbeat to launch a new section focused on the big ideas and debates in American education. More on this soon! You can sign up to keep following my work here:
www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/...
loading . . .
Chalkbeat
A free newsletter from Chalkbeat with the most important education news across America — sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every week.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/newsletters/ideas/
6
72
15
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Lois Miller
9 months ago
Haven't been on Bluesky in awhile, but popping in to say I wrote a policy piece based on my transfer paper for
@brookings.edu
Chalkboard! Many thanks to
@econsarahreber.bsky.social
,
@katharinemeyer.bsky.social
, & Michael Hansen for the opportunity and the editing.
www.brookings.edu/articles/com...
loading . . .
Community college students don’t always benefit from transferring to a 4-year college | Brookings
Lois Miller examines community college transfer, finding it boosts degree completion but can reduce earnings afterward.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/community-college-students-dont-always-benefit-from-transferring-to-a-4-year-college/
0
16
6
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Annenberg Institute
9 months ago
📢
#EdWorkingPapers
: Do RCTs in higher ed risk contamination? From a large in-person college course intervention,
@catherinematah.bsky.social
,
@katharinemeyer.bsky.social
&
@linzpage.bsky.social
show when individual-level randomization is preferred 📄 Full paper here:
edworkingpapers.com/ai24-1083
0
8
9
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Rachel M. Perera
10 months ago
Join us for an online
@brookings.edu
event Mon 9/15 @ 4PM, ET to discuss the state of the Trump administration's K-12 education agenda with education & legal scholars & civil rights attorneys. Submit questions in advance via email or the registration form!
www.brookings.edu/events/what-...
loading . . .
What the Trump administration legally can and can’t do to implement its agenda in public schools | Brookings
Join Brookings for an online discussion on litigation challenging the Trump administration’s executive actions related to K-12 education.
https://www.brookings.edu/events/what-the-trump-administration-legally-can-and-cant-do-to-implement-its-agenda-in-public-schools/
0
4
4
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Brookings Institution
11 months ago
"At a time when schools are in dire need of more resources and support, the Court has added only more challenges to their plate," says
@rachelmarisa.bsky.social
. Experts on education law and policy share their reactions to some of the Supreme Court’s decisions this term.
loading . . .
Legal experts weigh in on the implications of the 2025 Supreme Court term for K-12 education | Brookings
Brookings scholars focusing on education policy explore the legal implications of the Supreme Court's 2025 term.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/legal-experts-weigh-in-on-the-implications-of-the-2025-supreme-court-term-for-k-12-education/
1
5
7
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
CJ Libassi
12 months ago
New at
@pseocoalition.bsky.social
,
@julia-turner.bsky.social
& I have a new report on grad school debt & earnings over the medium term. For some key professional fields (🩺⚖️🦷💊🐾), we show the varied patterns both within & across areas of study, looking at the first decade of earnings after graduation
3
23
14
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Lawfare
about 1 year ago
Lawfare is hiring! We are looking for a new full-time senior editor. Responsibilities of the role include contributing analysis of key issues in national security law and policy and more. The ideal candidate will have a professional background in journalism, law, policy, or academia.
loading . . .
Come Work With Lawfare, As a Senior Editor!
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/come-work-with-lawfare--as-a-senior-editor
1
56
36
Pell grant cuts threaten state college access goals In my latest, I explain how the multipronged cuts to federal financial aid would shift costs to states, who in turn will likely have to shift costs to students to take on more debt or forego college
www.brookings.edu/articles/pel...
loading . . .
Pell grant cuts threaten state college access goals
Katharine Meyer explains how federal aid cuts to Pell and work-study programs shift costs to states and threaten college access.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/pell-grant-cuts-threaten-state-college-access-goals/
about 1 year ago
2
11
14
Terrific new WP from
@isabelmcmullen.bsky.social
examining the composition of higher education governing boards (pretty timely topic...).
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
1
3
0
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Isabel McMullen
about 1 year ago
Governing boards are at the center of every higher ed story these days. What do we know about board governance? What does board composition look like nationwide, and how is it shaped by partisan appointments? My new working paper introduces new data to these questions:
edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1212
loading . . .
Portraying Governance: Demographic Misalignment in University Board Representation
Higher education governing boards are important bodies with far-reaching powers over the institutions they oversee. Yet little is known about individual board members, how the composition of boards va...
https://edworkingpapers.com/ai25-1212
0
11
10
One of the best explainers on higher education reconciliation proposals I've seen so far (and there are a lot of good ones out there!)
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
0
2
0
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Dominique Baker
about 1 year ago
Our EEPA paper on the media's role in shaping our understanding of student loans, race, and racism is here! Email me if you don't have access & want a copy. One of my fav papers for a few reasons but, most of all, it's my first paper with my husband 😍
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.3102/...
2
97
35
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Jill Barshay
about 1 year ago
NAGB just voted (reluctantly) to kill several NAEP exams over the next 10 yrs. Cuts: 1) No Long-Term Trend NAEP at all until 2033. 2) No 4th grade science in 2028 and no 12th grade science in 2032. 3) Writing scrapped altogether. 4) No 12th grade history in 2030 (1/3)
1
14
32
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Isabel McMullen
about 1 year ago
With all of the targeting of higher ed, it's critical that we have a good understanding of who governs our institutions - I wrote this piece for Brookings to summarize what we know. I also show some new data on the politics and representativeness of public boards.
www.brookings.edu/articles/und...
loading . . .
The political stakes of who sits on university boards
Isabel McMullen shares research on the demographics of public higher education boards and how representative they are of students and faculty.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-public-college-and-university-governing-boards/
0
20
9
🚨New from
@isabelmcmullen.bsky.social
-"The political stakes of who sits on university boards." Isabel does brilliant work documenting who sits on public college and university governing boards - and how those boards reflect (or don't!) student and faculty bodies
www.brookings.edu/articles/und...
loading . . .
The political stakes of who sits on university boards
Isabel McMullen shares research on the demographics of public higher education boards and how representative they are of students and faculty.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-public-college-and-university-governing-boards/
about 1 year ago
0
4
0
🚨Earlier this month, Jon Valant and I sat down with former Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona. Five years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Cardona reflects on leading through the national emergency and shares his thoughts on the future of ED
www.brookings.edu/articles/a-c...
loading . . .
A conversation with former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about COVID-19 and schools
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-conversation-with-former-education-secretary-miguel-cardona-about-covid-19-and-schools-2/
about 1 year ago
1
2
0
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Molly Reynolds
about 1 year ago
Are you, or do you know, a recent or soon-to-be college grad who's interested in research and deep dives on Congress?
@sarahbinder.bsky.social
and I are hiring an RA to start this summer. More info here:
careers-brookings.icims.com/jobs/3627/re...
loading . . .
Jobs and Internships
https://careers-brookings.icims.com/jobs/3627/research-assistant-%28job-id%3a-2025-3627%29/job
5
58
35
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Cam Arnzen
over 1 year ago
Amidst all the chaos and upheaval in the education policy world,
@annenberginstitute.bsky.social
will be hiring several senior research associates in the coming months. Hopefully this helps some of the stellar education policy people find their footing again!
0
21
20
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Brookings Institution
over 1 year ago
An executive order or other unilateral executive action that “eliminates” the Department of Education would unambiguously violate the law, say
@katharinemeyer.bsky.social
,
@rachelmarisa.bsky.social
,
@econsarahreber.bsky.social
, and Jon Valant.
loading . . .
FAQs: The US Department of Education and the Trump administration
Brookings scholars explain the limits of presidential power in dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and the impact on key programs.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/faqs-the-us-department-of-education-and-the-trump-administration/
1
26
7
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Kamden Strunk
over 1 year ago
New tenure-track school psych job at Montclair State!
montclair.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/JobOpp...
You'd be working in the same college as
@wcastillophd.bsky.social
!
0
2
2
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Paul Bruno
over 1 year ago
NCES released school year (SY) 2022-23 Common Core of Data (CCD) Dropouts Public- and Restricted-Use Data Files
nces.ed.gov/use-work/res...
loading . . .
2022‒23 Common Core of Data (CCD) Dropouts Public-Use Data Files, version 1a | IESicon-dot-govicon-httpsicon-quote
These data files are a product of the CCD data collection for the 2022–23 school year. The unduplicated number of dropouts are reported at state, district, and school levels for the 12-month period be...
https://nces.ed.gov/use-work/resource-library/data/data-file/2022-23-common-core-data-ccd-dropouts-public-use-data-files-version-1a
0
3
2
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Molly Reynolds
over 1 year ago
Come to hear
@sarahbinder.bsky.social
and I weigh in on what’s happened to our system of checks and balances, stay to listen us debate whether our jokes are funny.
www.brookings.edu/articles/how...
loading . . .
How do America’s founding principles apply to democracy today?
Since his inauguration, many of President Trump’s assertive actions have prompted legal and congressional scholars to question the scope of expanded executive authority. In the first episode Democracy...
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/how-do-americas-founding-principles-apply-to-democracy-today/
1
15
4
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Rachel M. Perera
over 1 year ago
🚨 Join us this Fri 2/28 @ 1:30PM, ET for an online webinar with education and legal scholars, including experts in civil rights enforcement, to discuss the legality of the Department of Education's Feb 14 Dear Colleague Letter & the potential threat of enforcement.
www.brookings.edu/events/what-...
loading . . .
What do education leaders need to know about the Department of Education's new guidance on race and civil rights?
On February 28, join Brookings for a webinar with education and legal scholars to discuss the legality of the February 14 guidance letter
https://www.brookings.edu/events/what-do-education-leaders-need-to-know-about-the-department-of-educations-new-guidance-on-race-and-civil-rights/
1
9
15
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Mikhail Zinshteyn
over 1 year ago
Breaking: CA students have more time to apply for state financial aid after a key deadline moved from March 3 to April 2. There's a 25% drop in HS student fin aid apps compared to this time in past years. Context: Many students fear Trump's immigration enforcement plans may target their families.
loading . . .
Fewer California high school seniors are applying for financial aid. Some blame Trump's immigration policies
Although financial aid information has not been shared with immigration or other agencies in the past, many fear that will change.
https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/02/financial-aid-2/
2
4
2
Two new pieces in our series on why we have and need a US Department of Education! First up, from the past, current, and presidents-elect of AEFP and SREE - "Cutting research funding would make education less effective and efficient"
www.brookings.edu/articles/cut...
add a skeleton here at some point
over 1 year ago
1
5
4
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Cara Jackson
over 1 year ago
Heading to
#AEFP2025
? We've been thinking a lot about what's happening at the Institute of Education Sciences and what it means for the field. More news coming soon on programming updates. For now, some thoughts with our SREE colleagues
www.brookings.edu/articles/cut...
loading . . .
Cutting research funding would make education less effective and efficient
Presidents of education research associations explain the impacts of recent funding cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/cutting-research-funding-would-make-education-less-effective-and-efficient/
1
63
23
Why we have and need a US Department of Education 🚨 New from
@brookings.edu
scholars, an initiative to walk through the federal role in education, particularly the ongoing need for a Department of Education and all it does
www.brookings.edu/collection/w...
loading . . .
Why we have and need a US Department of Education
This series considers what the U.S. Department of Education does to shape education policy and practice in the United States.
https://www.brookings.edu/collection/why-we-have-and-need-a-us-department-of-education/
over 1 year ago
5
165
102
reposted by
Katharine Meyer
Eddy Conroy
over 1 year ago
With so many crazy things happening, focusing on them all is impossible. So, I am trying to pay attention to the things I have expertise The new admin floated handing over FAFSA and student loan repayment guidance to AI. Here is why that is a terrible idea
#EduSky
www.newamerica.org/education-po...
loading . . .
FAFSA and Student Loan Help Is no Place for AI
The so-called Department of Government Efficiency has suggested AI could replace staff that answer thousands of FAFSA and student loan questions every day, this would be a disaster for students.
https://www.newamerica.org/education-policy/edcentral/fafsa-and-student-loan-help-is-no-place-for-ai/
2
83
31
Load more
feeds!
log in