Impacts of Federal Policy Actions on Education
Publications
Research-based analysis of how federal actions affect education in the United States
Opinion | All Colleges Must Reject the White House ‘Compact’
By Liliana Garces, Leslie Gonzales, and Julie Posselt
The authors stress that colleges must reject the White House 'Compact' because doing otherwise would erode academic freedom, institutional independence, and the democratic values underpinning higher education.
Published in U.S. News & World Report on October 14th, 2025
Opinion | America cannot compete globally if it undermines its own people
Hernandez explains how ICE raids, school closures, and federal shutdowns under the Trump administration are undermining mobility and trust, forcing families to retreat and weakening public institutions nationwide.
Published in Chicago Tribune on October 8th, 2025
Opinion | Trump education cuts quietly declare that opportunity should be rationed on race
Hernandez argues that the Trump administration’s education cuts targeting Minority-Serving Institutions undermine diversity, economic mobility, and the promise of education as a public good.
Published in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on October 6th, 2025
Opinion | In Kentucky, we’ve spent years growing talent — only to have Washington slam the door
Hartlep makes the case that changes to higher education policy in the federal budget bill represent a total abandonment of education as a public good.
Published in Kenutcky Lantern on August 15th, 2025
Opinion | Don’t End This Program That Supports Students
Johnson argues that federal cuts to school mental health programs undermine student safety and ignore their proven benefits.
Published in The Progressive on May 14th, 2025
Opinion | Some DEI Programs Are Vulnerable, Not Illegal
Park emphasizes that many DEI programs are vulnerable but not illegal, urging institutions to respond with care rather than fear-driven approaches that undermine meaningful diversity efforts.
Published in Inside Higher Ed on April 14th, 2025
Opinion | Where Are the Boards?
By Raquel M. Rall and Demetri L. Morgan
Rall and Morgan argue that college boards must defend academic freedom and institutional independence from growing political interference.
Published in Inside Higher Ed on April 8th, 2025
Opinion | Trump Doesn’t Give a Damn About Jews
By Amir Goldberg and Barbara J. Risman
Goldberg and Risman argue that Trump’s efforts to combat antisemitism on campus are dangerous, hypocritical, and politically motivated attacks on higher education.
Published in The Chronicle of Higher Education on March 19th, 2025
Opinion | The Coalitions We Need to Defend Open Inquiry
By Jackie Pedota and Liliana Garces
Pedota and Garces highlight how coalitions formed in response to anti-DEI and anti-CRT efforts have supported academic freedom and reduced self-censorship.
Published in Inside Higher Ed on March 13th, 2025
Opinion | Free school meals save taxpayers money in the long run
Flachs makes the case for universal school lunch, arguing it benefits everyone from students to farmers and should be protected from federal budget cuts.
Published in IndyStar on February 21st, 2025
Opinion | Hitting Pause on the ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter
Garces argues that the Education Department’s “Dear Colleague” letter misinterprets the SFFA ruling and unlawfully restricts race-conscious practices beyond admissions.
Published in The Chronicle of Higher Education on February 18th, 2025
Opinion | Why GOP Attempts to Sanitize History Will Fail
Joseph reflects on her upbringing and a recent visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture to make the case that efforts to whitewash the past will fail.
Published in Common Dreams on May 4th, 2025