We can hope 2026 will be about good sense and decency in the face of “teams.” Pay attention to those showing the way.

This is the backgrounder you need. open.substack.com/pub/topdeckn...

The race for two seats on the Lakeland school board in Idaho was not about school issues, but about allegiances. It offers an urgent message about strategy and power. Reported with @emmaepperly.bsky.social @idahoednews.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/a-republican...

What’s happening in Idaho may foretell a stepped up far right strategy to gain control of every office, from school board on up. @emmaepperly.bsky.social of @idahoednews.bsky.social and I learned first hand about the new ground game. @hechingerreport.org hechingerreport.org/a-republican...

The ground game is changing. A school board race in Idaho shows how. Really enjoyed reporting with @emmaepperly.bsky.social @idahoednews.bsky.social for @hechingerreport.org with fab photos by @joanmorse.

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...

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...

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-...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...