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What we’re reading this week: March 13, 2025

The Education Gadfly
3.12.2025
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  • Can the board game Taboo teach education policymakers an important lesson? One author suggests “tabooing” vague DEI-related terms to encourage greater clarity in DEI debates and allow for more constructive discussions about specific policies.—Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic
  • With student debt and dropout rates on the rise, schools including KIPP are shifting away from the “college for all” mindset and shifting their focus to include more diverse pathways, like trade schools, apprenticeships, and two-year degrees.  —The New York Times
  • A proposed federal voucher program offers a 100 percent tax credit for donations. While supporters argue it would expand school choice, critics warn it would divert public funds, disproportionately benefit wealthier families, and create potential tax loopholes. —The Washington Post
  • The Trump administration has embraced a strong version of unitary executive theory by challenging the autonomy of several federal agencies, including the Institute of Education Sciences. —Education Next
  • An open letter to Linda McMahon urges the new Secretary of Education to prioritize the modernization and oversight of NAEP, given its critical role in measuring student progress and informing education policy. —William J. Bennett and Chester E. Finn, Jr., The 74
  • Few states require a full year of civics education, despite broad agreement on its importance, highlighting an urgent need for stronger state leadership, rigorous standards, well-prepared teachers, and accountability to prioritize civics alongside reading and math. —Chester E. Finn, Jr., The Washington Examiner
  • Companies are shifting from DEI to “merit, excellence, and intelligence” (MEI), an approach that emphasizes data-driven hiring and promotion practices to eliminate bias and optimize workforce decisions. —Roland Fryer, The Wall Street Journal
Tags: Chester E. Finn, Jr. Diversity, equity, and inclusion Donald Trump Institute of Education Sciences Linda McMahon National Assessment of Educational Progress Roland G. Fryer Jr.
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The Education Gadfly
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