From the RAND Blog

See below for the latest commentary from the RAND Education and Labor team. For a complete list of related blog content, see education posts and workforce posts on the RAND Blog.

The American Rescue Plan Is a Chance to Support Students with Disabilities. Here Are Some Investments Worth Considering
May 5, 2021

National surveys of K–12 teachers provide insight into challenges for effectively educating students with disabilities during the pandemic and beyond. Understanding these challenges can help identify important funding options to address gaps.
Biden's First Address to Congress: Insights from RAND
Apr 29, 2021

President Joe Biden addressed a joint session of Congress, summarizing his administration's early COVID-19 response and outlining plans that aim to loosen the pandemic's year-long grip on a weary nation. The speech reflected the fact that the United States faces policy challenges across a wide range of domains.
The Importance of Gathering Evidence of Edtech Impact
Apr 27, 2021

Given the increased reliance on technology to support learning, now may be a good time for educational technology companies to start thinking more seriously about the data they collect and how they use it.
How the Military Might Expand Its Cyber Skills
Apr 22, 2021

The U.S. military will need to improve its software fluency if it wants to be dominant on the battlefields of the future. Ensuring that future leaders in the military develop cyber skills and the ability to interface with technical experts may be increasingly important.
The Impact of the Pandemic on Demographic Trends
Apr 12, 2021

Key demographic trends in fertility, mortality, and migration are responsible for shifts in the overall structure of any population. COVID-19 has affected each of these, with potentially important implications.
Trust in the CDC, Teaching Students with Disabilities, Russian Mercenaries: RAND Weekly Recap
Apr 9, 2021

This weekly recap focuses declining trust in the CDC, insights from educators about teaching students with disabilities, Russian mercenaries, and more.
What Factors Affecting Retention Matter Most to Teachers?
Apr 5, 2021

Maintaining an adequate supply of teachers is a challenge and an area of significant concern. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, a set of interventions developed to target the preferences and expectations of specific groups of teachers is likely to be most effective.
The Next Generation Initiative: Faculty Leaders Program in Policy Research and Analysis
Mar 31, 2021

The Faculty Leaders Program is a professional development program for faculty who work with students or in disciplines underrepresented in public policy. Part of the Pardee RAND Graduate School's Next Generation Initiative, the program awards fellowships and stipends to 12–16 selected faculty to participate in the policy analysis summer program, which will be held virtually this year.
Colombia's Trailblazing Model for Refugees
Mar 26, 2021

Colombia recently announced it will give temporary protection status to a million undocumented Venezuelan refugees, with permission to live and work in the country for 10 years. In doing so, it created a new model for managing its own refugee situation and perhaps others elsewhere.
Supporting Asian Americans, U.S. Gun Policy, Climate Migrants: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 26, 2021

This weekly recap focuses on how to support Asian Americans, the U.S. gun policy debate, the education “arms race,” and more.
Arts Policy During the Pandemic: What Are We Measuring, and What Can We Know?
Mar 8, 2021

Few data sources exist for the labor market for artists. Of the sources that do exist, each measures a different piece of a larger puzzle. Those studying the arts labor market will have to grapple with which data source to use and how “the arts” should be defined before undertaking any analysis.
Teachers Have Lost Out on Professional Development. Summer Programs Could Help
Mar 5, 2021

For thousands of teachers across the United States, 2020 was a year of uncertainty. Many lacked access to their usual professional learning activities. Summer programs for students that also offer learning opportunities for teachers might help make up for lost time.
Vaccine Hesitancy, Sexual Misconduct in the U.S. Military, the Iran Nuclear Deal: RAND Weekly Recap
Mar 5, 2021

This weekly recap focuses on Black Americans’ vaccine hesitancy, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the U.S. military, rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, and more.
The Overlooked Support Teachers Are Missing: A Coherent Curriculum
Mar 3, 2021

America is still too far off from the classrooms envisioned by standards advocates, and it will take sustained effort from educational leaders to reach these ambitious goals. States and districts could prioritize efforts to support teachers to understand and implement standards both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teachers Quit Due to Stress, Peace in Yemen, America's Middle Class: RAND Weekly Recap
Feb 26, 2021

This weekly recap focuses on how stress leads teachers to quit their jobs, U.S. strategy in the Middle East, America's shrinking middle class, and more.