Brookings Brown Center

The real problems in education—learning loss, absenteeism, student mental health—are being ignored, says @jonvalant. He warns that federal leaders are shifting focus to culture wars instead of helping schools recover. cnn.com/2025/07/16/pol…

The FY26 budget would fold federal aid for homeless students into a block grant and slash funding by 70%. Jennifer Erb-Downward and @DuffieldBarbara warn 1.4M kids could lose vital protections like school enrollment, transportation, and stability. brookings.edu/articles/budge…

The latest GOP proposal would replace $6.5B in targeted K-12 aid with a $2B block grant—putting funds for homeless, rural, and after-school programs at risk. Nora Gordon says the shift could cut red tape, but drain resources from those who need them most. brookings.edu/articles/block…

"At a time when schools are in dire need of more resources and support, the Court has added only more challenges to their plate." brookings.edu/articles/legal…

Murders, suicides, car crashes, and overdoses are the leading causes of death among teens. Katie Hill argues that school-based cognitive behavioral programs could play a key role in preventing them. brookings.edu/articles/death…

On June 26, @JonValant spoke at a Senate forum, warning that large-scale voucher expansions could divert resources from low-income students and schools, weakening accountability and increasing inequities. brookings.edu/articles/the-r…

The 2025 federal education report was delayed and slashed by 90%, omitting vital data on teacher mobility, private schools, and college costs. Dominique J. Baker warns this could hamper informed policymaking. brookings.edu/articles/the-u…

New research from Brookings shows a perception gap: While most U.S. high school students view their schools as politically balanced, many adults—especially Republicans—see a liberal bias. That disconnect may be driving education policy more than reality. brookings.edu/articles/perce…

Professional development for experienced teachers is frequently short-term and disconnected from daily practice. Implementing sustained support models would help improve classroom instruction and student experience, explains Micheal W. Kirst. brookings.edu/articles/a-new…

State scholarship programs often depend on federal aid to make college affordable. @KatharineMeyer warns that proposed Pell Grant cuts could strain these programs, limiting access for low-income students. brookings.edu/articles/pell-…

Federal watchdogs play a key role in enforcing special education rights—but the Trump administration wants to step back. @takolbe and Elizabeth Dhuey explain how that shift threatens funding, accountability, and support for students with disabilities. brookings.edu/articles/trump…

International college students contribute billions to the U.S. economy each year. @ProfitOfEd highlights the risks of restrictive visa policies, and the opportunity to invest in global talent. brookings.edu/articles/inter…

The Educational Choice for Children Act would offer $5 billion in federal tax credits for private school scholarships. But @JonValant warns it’s designed to bypass public accountability—and risks diverting funds from rural and underserved communities. brookings.edu/articles/the-e…

The House GOP’s new voucher scheme would force vouchers into all states—and give a huge shelter for the ultra-rich. Read the whole thing @BrookingsInst @BrookingsEd

Unlike student absenteeism, which disproportionately affects economically disadvantaged schools, post-pandemic teacher absenteeism has risen across both high- and low-poverty schools at similar rates, find @DrMikeHansen and co-authors. brookings.edu/articles/state…

Public early childhood education delivers lasting gains—not just for kids, but for families and the economy. Lindsay Weixler finds it improves children’s development and boost parents’ income and work hours well beyond enrollment. brookings.edu/articles/the-l…

Governors from both parties are focusing on youth well-being, but Democrats more often propose expanding access to mental health services and meals, while Republicans emphasize school security and nutrition standards. Read more: brookings.edu/articles/gover…

The proposed scholarship program isn’t a neutral expansion of school choice, according to @JonValant and Zerbino. It privileges donors and families with resources while offering little to rural students, who often lack access to private school options. brookings.edu/articles/how-t…

In this @BrookingsEd piece, @bdhuey and I examine proposals that would shift IDEA funding outside the traditional framework. The proposals highlight trade offs between greater flexibility and the enforcement mechanisms that have long defined IDEA. brookings.edu/articles/trump…