Higher Education

Source: Fordham Institute

Date: 11/7/25

The Leaky Pipeline: Assessing the college outcomes of Ohio's high-achieving low-income students

Far too many high-achieving, low-income (HALO) students fall off the education track and never reach top colleges and universities. But what can be done to keep more of them on college-going pathways? To shed light, this study examines the educational experiences and outcomes of high-achieving students in Ohio. Conducted by Stéphane Lavertu, the analysis finds that the advanced learning opportunities available to HALO students matter greatly when it comes to their likelihood of attending four-year colleges.

Research Issues

Source: Bellwether

Date: 11/7/25

K-12 Education Research: Early Action for States in Response to Recent Changes

Mississippi's experience highlights how IES-funded research fits within a broader ecosystem of evidence that policymakers and practitioners draw upon to inform decisions. State and district leaders rely on a wide array of evidence to make decisions, including empirical studies, local data, expert insights, professional judgment, and input from parents. The way this evidence influences policy, if it does at all, depends on the availability of evidence, how easy it is to interpret, and how relevant it is to the issue at hand. 6 IES-funded research often plays an indirect but critical role in this process by informing the intermediaries - advocates, analysts, and technical assistance providers - who help states interpret, adapt, and apply evidence to their own contexts.

 

However, the IES-funded research infrastructure that enabled Mississippi's success now faces significant uncertainty.

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State leaders should not wait for federal action - they can use this moment to strengthen their research infrastructure in ways that ensure evidence better informs improvements to policy and practice, regardless of federal shifts. This memo examines key federal changes to IES and outlines actions state leaders can take in response.

Review of Wisconsin's Most Cost-Effective K-12 Program

Source: School Choice Wisconsin

Reviewed by: Bruce Baker, University of Miami

As one of the nation's longest-running private school voucher initiatives, Wisconsin's program has drawn decades of research interest. A recent report from a think tank called School Choice Wisconsin considers the cost-effectiveness of voucher-receiving schools in Racine, Milwaukee, and across the state.

University of Miami professor Bruce Baker reviewed Wisconsin's Most Cost-Effective K-12 Program, which claims that Wisconsin's voucher-receiving schools are far more cost effective than public district schools. Baker found the report's conclusions to be not just flawed, but completely wrong.

Schools Tapped Young Adults to Serve as Mental Health Navigators. What Happened Next?

By: Emily Tate Sullivan, EdSurge

"The Youth Mental Health Corps.... aims to support middle and high school students who are experiencing, or may be at risk of, mental health challenges, while also giving recent high school and college graduates an opportunity to try on a career in behavioral health.

Report: Michigan must overhaul 'inequitable' way it funds special education

By: Kim Kozlowski, Bridge Michigan

"The quality of special education services in Michigan can depend on where the student lives, according to a long-awaited report presented to lawmakers Thursday. It found that Michigan needs to reform the way it funds special education, saying the current model is inadequate, inequitable and fails to meet students' needs. Without reform, the report says, the state will continue to leave students behind academically and socially and unprepared for the future."

How the Federal Government Shutdown Is Affecting Schools: A Tracker

By: Mark Lieberman, Education Week

Education Week is tracking the effects of this year's government shutdown on K-12 schools. Here's the latest.