Breaking News

At Florida's Besieged New College, Apprehension and Resolve

Students fear disruption of an academic community that many find supportive, inspiring, and open—and gravely misunderstood by the Governor and his allies. 

Why Burned-Out Teachers are Heading for the Door

America's teachers are a diverse group, and the sources of their frustration likewise. But it's clear that a flood of educators out of the profession is a risk for America's schools as the pandemic is being followed by political interference with curriculum and book selection. 

Texas Legislation Takes Aim at University DEI Programs

The legislature would prohibit the operation of DEI offices on public campuses in Texas and maintain a list of university staff who violate the law, with consequences for employment. 

Mexican Miltary Surveilled Ayotzinapa Student Teachers for Years Before 43 Disappeared

Hackers released a trove of documents from the Mexican Defense Ministry. Among other revelations: the government was engaged in surveillance of students at a teachers' college in the state of Guerrero, long before 43 students disappeared in 2014. 

Iraq War at 20: What the Neocons Got Wrong

by Max Boot

"I desperately wanted to believe that spreading freedom could solve the security dilemmas confronting the United States—that by doing good in the world, it could also serve its national security interests."

Virginia School Board Declares there is "No Systemic Racism"

The sponsoring board member suggested that his election victory means that "parents get a voice in how and what their children are exposed to.” A local history teacher disagreed.   

I Resigned from the Carter Center over "Apartheid" Charge; I was Wrong

by Steve Berman

American supporters of Israel have blamed the former president as a messenger about the consequences of the occupation; it's time to consider the message. 

Attack on Medical Abortion Drugs is 40 Years in the Making

A lawsuit filed in Texas would threaten the availability of the drugs used to induce medical abortions, even in states where abortion remains legal. This is part of a long-developing plan. 

North Dakota Prof: Tenure Reform Bill is About Silencing Whistleblowers

by Eric Grabowsky

A professor says that, aside from academic freedom implications, a bill proposed to reduce tenure protections is aimed at intimidating critics of the university system's management. 

Do 3 GOP Governors' Higher Ed Policies Forecast the 2024 Election

While none have announced their candidacy, Greg Abbott of Texas and Glenn Youngkin of Virginia are joining Ron DeSantis in making aggressive moves on public higher education that may signal a key issue in the GOP primaries. 

In Florida, the Question is WHOSE Parental Rights

Although right-leaning "parental rights" groups have been prominent advocates for state legislation affecting how schools handle race and gender issues, it's clear that those groups don't represent all parents in the state. 

America Broke Iraq, and Itself

by Thanassis Cambanis

"The U.S. occupation of Iraq normalized torture, impunity, manipulation of intelligence, and a new level of official mendacity."

Is Harvard Actually Discriminating Against Asian Applicants?

by Julie J. Park

The data supporting the charge that Harvard's affirmative action policies amount to discrimination against Asian American students isn't as clear-cut as has been reported, says an education researcher who's investigated the policies. Blaming race-based affirmative action conceals the preferences given to legacies, athletes, and donors' children. 

Why NYT v. Sullivan Matters More than Ever

Conservative politicians want to use libel laws to intimidate critics. One Supreme Court case stands in their way. 

20 Years Later, What is the Cultural Imprint of the Iraq War?

The US war against Vietnam sparked a broad array of artistic responses, and more importantly became a litmus test for a future generation of leaders. Despite disagreements about the invasion and its serious consequences for the Middle East, the war seems to have left no trace on the West. 

This Round of Attacks on Tenure Might Stick

State legislatures and boards of trustees have long wanted to break the tenure system. Today, more university presidents seem willing to take sides against their faculty. 

Face It: CPAC Was a Mussolini Moment

by Will Bunch

After Trump's CPAC speech promised that he'd be an instrument of retribution against his followers' enemies, it's time to stop tiptoeing around the historic parallels, writes columnist Will Bunch. 

SCOTUS Leak "Investigation" Shows Longstanding Need for Real Oversight

by Glenn Fine

A veteran executive branch watchdog says the effort to find who leaked the Court's Dobbs decision draft was doomed to fail from the start and reflects the impunity that the Justices enjoy. 

"Slavery Was Wrong" and Some Other Things Teachers are Afraid to Teach

The Rand Corporation found that a quarter of teachers of math, science and English were revising their lesson plans to remove topics on race and gender, with fear of parents being the biggest reason. 

Judy Heumann, "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement"

Heumann translated her own battle for inclusion into a movement to advance the rights and standing of people with disabilities in the United States through protest and legislation.