This week, we discuss U.S.-North Korea relations; supporting students with disabilities; inequity in Pittsburgh; truth in journalism; the flawed logic of a proportional response in Iran; and how citizen scientists can help their communities.
President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas, June 30, 2019
Photo by Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Trump and Kim Met at the DMZ. What Happens Next?
President Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone this past weekend, becoming the first sitting U.S. head of state to set foot in the hermit kingdom.
There are hopes that this brief meeting could lead to further negotiations. But the success of any future talks depends on whether Kim will actually take some action toward denuclearizing (rather than just talking about it). That's according to RAND's Bruce Bennett. Trump could ask Kim to start by surrendering just one nuclear weapon. If Kim complies, it would demonstrate that the regime is ready to take denuclearization seriously.
Photo by Jack F/Adobe Stock
Supporting Students with Disabilities
Do students with high-incidence disabilities, such as high-functioning autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, receive effective instruction? The answer depends, in large part, on whether educators have what they need. A new RAND survey provides some insights. Most teachers say that their schools have a culture of “shared responsibility” for serving students with disabilities. But many want more access to relevant training, resources, planning time, and student data.
Illustrations by hyejin kang and teddyandmia/Getty Images; design by Chara Williams/RAND Corporation
How Pittsburgh Is Addressing Social and Economic Disparities
RAND researchers have been working with officials in Pittsburgh to examine inequities among the city's residents. For example, being black in Pittsburgh means bringing home less than half as much pay as a white person. It also means seeing your children hospitalized with asthma four times more often. By understanding more about who's being left behind—and how they're being left behind—the city can begin to address the root drivers of inequity.
Senior political scientist Jennifer Kavanagh discusses Truth Decay at RAND's headquarters in Santa Monica, California, May 24, 2018
Photo by Diane Baldwin/RAND Corporation
Searching for Truth with RAND's Jennifer Kavanagh
Jennifer Kavanagh helps lead RAND's research on “Truth Decay,” the diminishing role of facts and analysis in American public life. In a new Q&A, she discusses her most recent study, a quantitative analysis of how U.S. journalism has changed over time. Measuring shifts in the information environment is key to understanding the evolution of Truth Decay, she says. The next step is figuring out what to do about it.
The purported wreckage of a U.S. drone is displayed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Tehran, Iran, June 21, 2019
Photo by Meghdad Madadi/Tasnim News Agency via Reuters
The Flawed Logic of a Proportional Response
After Iran shot down a U.S. drone, President Trump approved a retaliatory strike. He then called the attack off, saying it was “not proportionate.” There is a long list of reasons to avoid conflict with Iran. But proportionality isn't one of them, says RAND's Raphael Cohen. That's because proportional responses are not likely to solve anything. Instead, they may demonstrate that Washington is more interested in the appearance, rather than reality, of action.
Illustration by VectorMine/Adobe Stock
What Can Citizen Science Do?
Citizen science is the use of scientific methods by the general public to ask and answer questions and solve problems. A new RAND report examines the potential of this concept. There are a few key challenges, such as enhancing the credibility of research and overcoming technology obstacles. But overall, citizen science is a promising way to conduct research that can help improve health and well-being. This approach may be particularly valuable for disaster preparedness.
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