The Study Group

?? Make no mistake: the threat is real, and it demands action now. A single signature won’t instantly close the Department of Education, yet the risk remains urgent—and our voices matter. I just published an article on the Executive Order announced today. I invite you to add your personal insights: How have DOE programs supported learning in your community? How have DOE-backed resources impacted your school, district, or campus? Comment below or send me a message—let’s rally behind the people who keep our classrooms strong. Your stories will help shape the case we bring to leaders and legislators.? ??? Share your perspective—together, we’ll show lawmakers why defending the DOE is essential. #SpeakUpForED #EDMatters #YourVoiceCounts #EducationFuture

Upcoming Webinar: 2024 McGraw Prize Winner Dr. Edmund W. Gordon ?? Date: March 19, 2025 | ?? Time: 2:00-3:30 PM ET Dr. Gordon, a leader in educational equity and assessment, will be joined by a distinguished panel of experts to discuss how new approaches to educational measurement can positively impact learners and society. Featured panelists include: ?? Dr. Eva Baker (UCLA)? ?? Dr. Madhabi Chatterji? (Columbia University) ?? Dr. Neal Kingston (Kansas University) ?? Dr. Roy Pea (Stanford University) ?? Dr. Stephen Sireci (UMass Amherst) ?? Dr. Eric Tucker (Moderator) This webinar is part of the Catalyst @ Penn GSE series, presenting McGraw Prize winners. Register today to be part of the conversation and gain insights from some of the leading voices in education! ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/eAHPFNSg?

Join this webinar with WilmerHale government contracts and financial assistance lawyers on “What To Do If Your Federal Grant Has Been Stopped or Terminated” for vital insights on navigating uncertainties surrounding federal financial assistance programs. Learn about options for responding to stop-work orders and termination notices. Our experienced panel will explore the steps available to grant and other financial assistance recipients whose awards are impacted during these tumultuous times. Whether you manage government grants or support researchers, this webinar will help you stay informed about the options and risks as you decide how to move forward. Register now to learn about the rights of organizations amid the uncertainties sweeping federal grant programs. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gzNiXe8M

? Join me Wednesday for inspiration, insight, and celebration with a true living legend! ? I'm honored to moderate a live conversation with Dr. Edmund W. Gordon—winner of the prestigious McGraw Prize in Education. At 103 years young, Dr. Gordon’s lifelong dedication to educational equity, groundbreaking measurement, and human potential has shaped generations. From his pivotal role launching Head Start to his innovative vision for learner-centered assessment, his impact is immeasurable. ?? March 19, 2025 ?? 2:00 – 3:30 PM ET ?? Online (recording available!) Dr. Gordon’s story is one of extraordinary mentorship, transformative ideas, and profound wisdom—each conversation with him feels like a masterclass in human dignity and education innovation. This virtual event isn't just about honoring his legacy—it’s about envisioning what's next. We’ll dive deep with leading education scholars, including Dr. Eva Baker (UCLA), Dr. Madhabi Chatterji (Columbia), Dr. Neal Kingston (Kansas), Dr. Roy Pea (Stanford), and Dr. Stephen Sireci (UMass). Join the conversation as we explore: ? How we can evolve assessments beyond standardized testing to truly meet learner needs ? AI and technology's role in personalized learning and equity ? Leadership insights that will shape the future of education ?? Secure your spot now →? ?? I invite YOU to actively participate: ?? What's one powerful lesson you've learned from a mentor that changed your view on education? ?? How can we reimagine educational assessment to better serve students, educators, and families? Drop your insights in the comments or bring your questions to the event—your perspective matters! Together, let's build upon Dr. Gordon's monumental contributions to education and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future. #EdGordonLegacy #McGrawPrize #FutureOfLearning #EducationInnovation #AssessmentInnovation #AIInEducation #Leadership #CommunityBuilding #EducationTransformation

Spread the Word: Game-Changing Webinar on Federal Grant Stoppages and Termination! If you or your organization rely on federal grants, you know how critical timely advice can be—especially when facing a stop-work order or unexpected termination. That’s why I’m excited to appreciate WilmerHale’s upcoming March 21 webinar on navigating federal grant stoppages and terminations. Given the recent funding pauses, program reviews, and grant terminations, this session couldn’t be more timely! Their webinar offers essential strategies for anyone dealing with stopped or terminated grants. Register today ?? ?? Join me in applauding WilmerHale for sharing their expertise and empowering our community with practical solutions and options. ?? I invite YOU to help: ? Drop a comment on how you’ve navigated surprise funding cuts or administrative hurdles. ? Tag someone who might have a wisdom nugget to share! ? Share a quick story or piece of advice in the comments below! By contributing your insights, you’ll help shape our preparation for this upcoming webinar. Let’s elevate the conversation and spark new ideas for how to respond. We’re all in this together—your reflection might be the spark someone else needs to stay afloat in these turbulent times. #Grants #HigherEd #RapidResponse #CommunityEngagement #WilmerHale #EducationInnovation #LegalInsight #EducationMatters

? Early Coverage Sounds the Alarm: Students and Families Will Be the Real Casualties of DOE Cuts ? Join me in recognizing the incredible public servants who have tirelessly supported students, teachers, and families at the U.S. Department of Education—even as they face unprecedented cuts. Their leadership and dedication deserve our support! I’m putting the finishing touches on an article exploring the real impact of these staffing reductions (link below). Will you share a personal story, quote, or insight about how federal education support has shaped your journey? I invite you to contribute a quotable reflection for my piece, “Who Really Pays the Price?” In this new article, I review the first waves of press coverage on the DOE’s staffing cuts—and the vital role these professionals have played in supporting Title I schools, advancing special education, and championing student borrowers. Let’s elevate our collective voices to ensure our children have the future that recognizes their potential. #EducationMatters #PublicService #ShareYourStory #SpecialEducation #CivilRights #HigherEd #StudentLoans #FutureOfLearning #EdResearch #YourVoiceCounts

? A Call to Support Public Servants & Defend the Department of Education? I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with incredible civil servants at the US Department of Education for decades. Public service truly is a calling—and these remarkable individuals, facing historic challenges and uncertainty, remain steadfast in their commitment to serve. In that spirit, I’m sharing my new article: “The American Dream at Risk: Why Gutting the Department of Education Hurts Us All.” I explore how the Department’s leadership, special education protections, civil rights enforcement, and data-driven innovations have transformed countless lives—including mine as an educator and dad of two school-age children. But what happens when the guardians of our future are sidelined? Recent drastic layoffs threaten decades of progress in understanding the science of learning and supporting special education. Now, I’d love to hear your stories: How have DOE programs impacted your classroom, career, or family? What resonates most about our collective responsibility to invest in public education? Join me in celebrating these public servants who keep the American Dream alive—and let’s elevate how we stand up for robust, equitable, and research-backed education policies. Feel free to comment, share reflections, or even offer a quotable line I can feature in future updates. If there’s anything I can do—whether it’s making a connection or lending a supportive ear—please reach out. Together, we can ensure every child has the educational opportunities they deserve. Let’s move this mission forward! #PublicService #CivilServants #SaveOurSchools #DefendEducation #KidsNotCuts #DefendPublicEducation #EducationMatters

Join us for a special 90-minute webinar conversation with 2024 #McGrawPrize winner Edmund Gordon on Wednesday, March 19 at 2pm ET, where he and a panel of experts — Dr. Eva Baker, Dr. Madhabi Chatterji, Dr. Neal Kingston, Dr. Roy Pea, and Dr. Stephen Sireci — will discuss with moderator Eric Tucker how a new approach to educational measurement can benefit learners and society. Register now: https://penng.se/3Flyhr3

?? Bold investments in education R&D drive America’s future—so why are we pulling the plug? Are we flying blind without critical data? The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is key to keeping the U.S. globally competitive, yet recent contract cancellations threaten our ability to gather insights, foster innovation, and shape effective policy. Cutting funding now is like shutting off the engine mid-flight. In my latest article, “The Data Defense: Taking Stock of How IES Funding Fuels America’s Global Competitiveness and National Security,” I explore IES’s indispensable role in: ?? Safeguarding student learning data ?? Upholding legal mandates for evidence-based policy ??? Strengthening national security & AI leadership ?? Driving America’s innovation ecosystem Join the conversation on why R&D isn’t just policy—it’s a national imperative: ?? How has federally funded education research influenced your work or sector? ?? What’s at stake if we undercut this critical infrastructure? ?? What happens if we lose these essential research pipelines? Drop a comment, share your thoughts, and let’s elevate this urgent dialogue. As global competitors double down on innovation, scaling back on our own research capacity risks losing our economic and technological edge. Let’s make sure support for IES is loud, clear, and impossible to ignore. #EducationResearch #IES #AILiteracy #AI #NationalSecurity #Innovation #FutureOfWork #STEMLeadership #EvidenceBasedPolicy #DataMatters #AILeadership

? Defending our nation’s investment in educating all learners! ? Special education is not just about serving children with disabilities—it’s about safeguarding the rights of families to decide what’s best for their children. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has been a game-changer for millions, ensuring that our nation’s children receive a quality education. Yet today, proposals to weaken the U.S. Department of Education’s role threaten access to critical services, leaving families to navigate an uncertain system. The facts speak for themselves: every $1 invested in early intervention saves between $7 and $12 in long-term costs. This is not just a win for fiscal responsibility—it’s a win for our children’s futures. When families are empowered through federal safeguards like those provided by IDEA, they remain in the driver’s seat, making decisions that are best for their kids. That’s why I’m proud to share my new article, Protecting Every Child’s Right to Learn: How Federal Special Education Resources, Rights, and Research Empower American Families, which lays out how these protections are crucial for communities around the country. ?? I invite you to join the conversation: How have federal special education protections impacted your family, your work, or your community? As someone who believes that no one understands a child’s needs better than their parents, I’m eager to hear your stories. Federal protections ensure that parental expertise isn’t sidelined by bureaucratic red tape, and it stops local decision-makers from cutting corners. When families are supported by robust federal policies, our children benefit from improved academic outcomes, higher graduation rates, and better workforce readiness—all of which strengthen our economy. ?? Let’s come together to celebrate the power of federal protections that put families first and safeguard our children’s futures. Share your insights and join the movement for stronger federal support for special education. Your voice matters, and together we can ensure that every child gets the education they deserve. #SpecialEducation #IDEA #FamilyRights #InvestInKids #FederalFunding #ParentEmpowerment #EducationMatters #DeptofEdWarRoom