Andrew Ho

AEA Statement on Dismissal of BLS Comm.

"The independence of the federal statistical agencies is essential to the proper functioning of a modern economy. Accurate, timely, and impartial statistics are the foundation upon which households, businesses, and policymakers make critical decisions."

Today is the final day of work for many dedicated, talented employees at the Institute of Education Sciences. I am thankful for their service, and I hope that they find new roles that continue their mission of supporting education research that serves as a public good.

College Admissions Explore the complexities of selective college admissions, holistic review, essays, standardized tests, & affirmative action. Discover key findings & debates.

In honor of the impending doom of the 2025-26 college application season, check out @danielklasik.bsky.social's chapter in @aefplivehandbook.bsky.social!

Suggestions for additional research or ideas for future research? Use the Provide Feedback form at the end.

livehandbook.org/higher-educa...

Screenshot of article that reads: When looking beyond just Harvard and Columbia, one thing becomes clear, said Dominique Baker, an associate professor of education and public policy at the University of Delaware, the president is inciting an “outright attack” on higher education, and he has no plans of slowing down. From the political ousting of University of Virginia president James Ryan to the legislative termination of countless academic programs in Indiana with little to no faculty input, Baker identified one defining thread: curtailing the power of democratic institutions. “We are in a very dangerous time, both for U.S. higher education, but more importantly for our country,” she explained. “These types of outright attacks on colleges and universities are typically the moves of autocrats and dictators, often seen as signs of authoritarian takeovers.” She later added, “if one wanted to overthrow our constitutional republic, these are the types of moves you would make.”

Reporter: How do you feel about the Columbia settlement?

Dominique: Let me tell you about public universities in Republican-led states...

I appreciate that I get the kicker on a lot of these stories because I'm the most grim

www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

The #AERA2026 submissions deadline has been extended one week to August 1, originally scheduled for July 25. We hope this extension will provide support during a time of funding losses and disruptions to work. www.aera.net/Events-Meeti...

He is a graduate of my school - Harvard Graduate School of Education

‘Back to the Dark Ages’: Education Research Staggered by Trump Cuts With contracts severed and grants rescinded, experts say Washington’s hit to K–12 research will set back the field for years.

‘Back to the Dark Ages’: Education Research Staggered by Trump Cuts

With contracts severed and grants rescinded, experts say Washington’s hit to K–12 research will set back the field for years. @the74.bsky.social

www.the74million.org/article/back...

We each find our way through these times

As an academic, I am doing this:

Uplift those whose research you admire. Diversify the academy.

Many ways to do this:

-Nominate for awards (did 2 yesterday)
-If you are in an academy, nominate to it (did 3 this month)
-cite them in a paper and/or talk

I would have expected @ncme38.bsky.social to go with the lowercase \theta\hat hat and @pmetricsoc.bsky.social to go with the uppercase \Theta\hat hat, but either way, I appreciate IMPS throwing down the latent trait merch gauntlet! #NCME25 #IMPS25

This was heartrending. Not just a personal and professional tragedy, but a scientific and statistical tragedy.

Dr. Carr's unceremonious firing and ongoing unrecoverable loss to data access and quality represent symbolic and literal damage to democratic leadership and governance.

UPDATE: Ed Dept just announced this afternoon that it is giving acting IES director Matthew Soldner a second title: acting commissioner of NCES. The lack of a commissioner had been the obstacle to releasing the NAEP science scores.

Distract. Divert. Divide.

Opinion | What the University of Virginia Should Have Done

“Mr. Ryan’s resignation is a victory for intimidation and fear over the rule of law.”

www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/o...

Here Is All the Science at Risk in Trump’s Clash With Harvard (Gift Article) More than 900 research grants worth $2.6 billion are in jeopardy. So is the 80-year-old model of American science.

The NYT put together a comprehensive inforgraphic on lost federal funding for research at Harvard

I leanrned a lot about what my colleagues are doing!
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

I have termed off the Carnegie Foundation board after a wonderful 8 years. I'm proud of our reimagination of the Carnegie Unit, our investment in transforming high schools, and our leadership in assessment.

Naturally, I left my colleagues with a normal distribution plushie. @ncme38.bsky.social

I really like Scott's amendment of the 3 Ws to: "Who *needs* Which scores for What purpose? @nciea.bsky.social #zerobasedtestdesign

Zero-based Assessment System Design | Center for Assessment How an idea from budget management can help school districts break the logjams they face when they try to get rid of unnecessary tests.

"Zero-based assessment design involves starting from scratch and adding only those assessments necessary to support one’s learning and organizational goals." www.nciea.org/blog/zero-ba...

The Call for Proposals for the 2026 NCME Annual Meeting is now available!

The annual meeting will be held April 8–11 in Los Angeles, CA, with the theme “Moving Measurement Forward.”

Learn more: www.ncme.org/event/annual...

Deadline: Friday, September 12 at 11:59 PM PT

#NCME2026

Great set of tips from @paul-bruno.com on the academic job market. This year more than any other it's hard to know what it will look like, but I would also be happy to chat with folks in ed policy/econ of ed about applying for positions. Send a DM/email!

An update on NCME’s continued fight for measurement data access and quality: @ncme38.bsky.social

Correlation? Causation? Effect Sizes? What Should a Teacher Trust? (Opinion) Understanding research implications for the classroom is key to determining student outcomes.

🧵 For those familiar with effect sizes from Visible Learning, check out this post! I've tried to bring in lots of evidence to support a more nuanced approach to interpreting *causal* effects. #EduSky www.edweek.org/teaching-lea... 1/n

The disparity btwn what’s actually happening in Los Angeles and the way it’s being mischaracterized is one of the biggest stress tests of modern media in recent memory. Botted socials, AI, old clips, declining literacy—it’s like seeing a broken emergency response system hit by a storm.

Whoever put together yesterday's Part I "New Condition of Education" report had access to the Education Department's website, but didn't seem to know where to find the data. (1/3)

When the Department of Ed misses a Congressionally mandated deadline for Condition of Ed and uploads a blank doc like a panicked undergrad.

Journalists have a crucial role in holding what’s left of the Department of Ed accountable.

Yesterday, June 2, was an interesting day at work. I was reporting a story about how the Education Department hadn't delivered a report to Congress on the Condition of Education, despite the June 1 deadline mandated by law. 🧵 (1/9)

Education Department misses key deadline for delivering statistics report Congress mandates annual ‘Condition of Education’ digest by June 1

At a recent House approps subcommittee hearing, Sec'y Linda McMahon confirmed several times that ED would abide by Congressional laws. But, in some cases, it may be too understaffed to do so. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...

HGSE faculty ready to roll at Commencement! #Harvard2025

A beautiful moment at Harvard's commencement, serenading Rita Moreno with "Somewhere" as she receives her honorary degree at a time when the lyrics really hit home. #Harvard2025
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFIo...

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has a bit of a height advantage over his fellow honorary degree recipients at Harvard's commencement. #Harvard2025
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFIo...

YouTube video by Harvard University Harvard Commencement 2025

Harvard Law School graduates getting extra applause at commencement this year: "the restraints that make us free."
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/29/m...
Of course, HGSE students are still the loudest! #Harvard2025