Sarah S
@purplewhip.bsky.social
researcher, knitter, runner, data-lover
Reposted by Sarah S
🍎🦡 I'm recruiting a PhD student in Ed Policy (fall '26) at @uwmadison.bsky.social! Come work with me on college access, admissions, & fin aid in our top-ranked, fully-funded program. I’m especially excited for this student to immediately join our direct admissions RCT team.
October 1, 2025 at 3:23 PM
🍎🦡 I'm recruiting a PhD student in Ed Policy (fall '26) at @uwmadison.bsky.social! Come work with me on college access, admissions, & fin aid in our top-ranked, fully-funded program. I’m especially excited for this student to immediately join our direct admissions RCT team.
Reposted by Sarah S
J-PAL North America's #ClimateActionLearningLab supported 6 state & local jurisdictions in leveraging data and evaluation to advance climate solutions that work 🌿
🗞️ Learn more about the Learning Lab experience: https://news.mit.edu/2025/climate-action-learning-lab-supports-state-local-leaders-0915
🗞️ Learn more about the Learning Lab experience: https://news.mit.edu/2025/climate-action-learning-lab-supports-state-local-leaders-0915
Climate Action Learning Lab helps state and local leaders identify and implement effective climate mitigation strategies
J-PAL North America's inaugural Climate Action Learning Lab provided six U.S. cities and states with customized training and resources to leverage data and evaluation to advance climate solutions...
news.mit.edu
September 24, 2025 at 3:12 PM
J-PAL North America's #ClimateActionLearningLab supported 6 state & local jurisdictions in leveraging data and evaluation to advance climate solutions that work 🌿
🗞️ Learn more about the Learning Lab experience: https://news.mit.edu/2025/climate-action-learning-lab-supports-state-local-leaders-0915
🗞️ Learn more about the Learning Lab experience: https://news.mit.edu/2025/climate-action-learning-lab-supports-state-local-leaders-0915
Reposted by Sarah S
Prices are up just in time for back to school.
Thanks, Donald Trump.
Thanks, Donald Trump.
September 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Prices are up just in time for back to school.
Thanks, Donald Trump.
Thanks, Donald Trump.
Reposted by Sarah S
👂 Don’t just take our word for it—hear from RAs who’ve been there.
J-PAL North America’s Research Staff Training helped them build skills, confidence, and community.
📣 Read their reflections: sites.google.com/povertyactio...
🗓️ Register by June 13: j-p.al/z60
#RCT #ResearchTraining
J-PAL North America’s Research Staff Training helped them build skills, confidence, and community.
📣 Read their reflections: sites.google.com/povertyactio...
🗓️ Register by June 13: j-p.al/z60
#RCT #ResearchTraining
May 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
👂 Don’t just take our word for it—hear from RAs who’ve been there.
J-PAL North America’s Research Staff Training helped them build skills, confidence, and community.
📣 Read their reflections: sites.google.com/povertyactio...
🗓️ Register by June 13: j-p.al/z60
#RCT #ResearchTraining
J-PAL North America’s Research Staff Training helped them build skills, confidence, and community.
📣 Read their reflections: sites.google.com/povertyactio...
🗓️ Register by June 13: j-p.al/z60
#RCT #ResearchTraining
Reposted by Sarah S
Level up your RAs’ #RCT game this summer!
Send them to J-PAL North America's Research Staff Training—August 4–8 in Beverly, MA.
Register by June 13, limited spots available!
💡 Power calcs, ethics, data visualizations, & more
🤝Connect, collaborate, & build lasting skills
Sign up now: j-p.al/z60
Send them to J-PAL North America's Research Staff Training—August 4–8 in Beverly, MA.
Register by June 13, limited spots available!
💡 Power calcs, ethics, data visualizations, & more
🤝Connect, collaborate, & build lasting skills
Sign up now: j-p.al/z60
May 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Level up your RAs’ #RCT game this summer!
Send them to J-PAL North America's Research Staff Training—August 4–8 in Beverly, MA.
Register by June 13, limited spots available!
💡 Power calcs, ethics, data visualizations, & more
🤝Connect, collaborate, & build lasting skills
Sign up now: j-p.al/z60
Send them to J-PAL North America's Research Staff Training—August 4–8 in Beverly, MA.
Register by June 13, limited spots available!
💡 Power calcs, ethics, data visualizations, & more
🤝Connect, collaborate, & build lasting skills
Sign up now: j-p.al/z60
Reposted by Sarah S
Big win for plaintiffs on Dept of Education
Preliminary injunction granted
"The Department must be able to carry out its functions and its obligations under the [Department of Education Organization Act] and other relevant statutes as mandated by Congress."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Preliminary injunction granted
"The Department must be able to carry out its functions and its obligations under the [Department of Education Organization Act] and other relevant statutes as mandated by Congress."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
May 22, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Big win for plaintiffs on Dept of Education
Preliminary injunction granted
"The Department must be able to carry out its functions and its obligations under the [Department of Education Organization Act] and other relevant statutes as mandated by Congress."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Preliminary injunction granted
"The Department must be able to carry out its functions and its obligations under the [Department of Education Organization Act] and other relevant statutes as mandated by Congress."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Sarah S
Lots of rulings today
We won preliminary injunction stopping dismantling of the Dept of Education— the Court saw this was not efficiency , it was evisceration. Congress created the Ed Dept to help students. It can’t be shredded this way by Trump and McMahon www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
We won preliminary injunction stopping dismantling of the Dept of Education— the Court saw this was not efficiency , it was evisceration. Congress created the Ed Dept to help students. It can’t be shredded this way by Trump and McMahon www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
The Latest: Judge blocks Trump’s executive order to shut down the Education Department
A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order to shut down the Education Department and ordered the agency to reinstate employees who were fired in mass layoffs
www.washingtonpost.com
May 22, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Lots of rulings today
We won preliminary injunction stopping dismantling of the Dept of Education— the Court saw this was not efficiency , it was evisceration. Congress created the Ed Dept to help students. It can’t be shredded this way by Trump and McMahon www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
We won preliminary injunction stopping dismantling of the Dept of Education— the Court saw this was not efficiency , it was evisceration. Congress created the Ed Dept to help students. It can’t be shredded this way by Trump and McMahon www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Sarah S
J-PAL North America is launching Economics Pathways—a targeted effort to empower the next generation of economists researching critical policy questions. Learn more about this initiative and the ways you can support in advancing this ambitious program.
www.povertyactionlab.org/blog/4-14-25...
www.povertyactionlab.org/blog/4-14-25...
Supporting emerging researchers through Economics Pathways
J-PAL North America launches Economic Pathways, a targeted effort to empower the next generation of economists researching critical policy questions.
www.povertyactionlab.org
April 15, 2025 at 6:17 PM
J-PAL North America is launching Economics Pathways—a targeted effort to empower the next generation of economists researching critical policy questions. Learn more about this initiative and the ways you can support in advancing this ambitious program.
www.povertyactionlab.org/blog/4-14-25...
www.povertyactionlab.org/blog/4-14-25...
Reposted by Sarah S
Whelp ed research orgs had mass lay-offs yesterday
Mathematica: www.linkedin.com/posts/mathem...
MDRC: www.linkedin.com/posts/mdrc_t...
NORC: www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ga...
RTI: www.linkedin.com/posts/no%C3%...
Westat: www.linkedin.com/posts/westat...
WestEd: www.linkedin.com/posts/amyhre...
Mathematica: www.linkedin.com/posts/mathem...
MDRC: www.linkedin.com/posts/mdrc_t...
NORC: www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ga...
RTI: www.linkedin.com/posts/no%C3%...
Westat: www.linkedin.com/posts/westat...
WestEd: www.linkedin.com/posts/amyhre...
March 8, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Whelp ed research orgs had mass lay-offs yesterday
Mathematica: www.linkedin.com/posts/mathem...
MDRC: www.linkedin.com/posts/mdrc_t...
NORC: www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ga...
RTI: www.linkedin.com/posts/no%C3%...
Westat: www.linkedin.com/posts/westat...
WestEd: www.linkedin.com/posts/amyhre...
Mathematica: www.linkedin.com/posts/mathem...
MDRC: www.linkedin.com/posts/mdrc_t...
NORC: www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ga...
RTI: www.linkedin.com/posts/no%C3%...
Westat: www.linkedin.com/posts/westat...
WestEd: www.linkedin.com/posts/amyhre...
Reposted by Sarah S
In this op-ed, we - the presidents of SREE and AEFP - joined forces to argue for the importance of evidence on "what works" and how cutting such funding is not "efficient" - it is wasteful. www.brookings.edu/articles/cut...
Cutting research funding would make education less effective and efficient
Presidents of education research associations explain the impacts of recent funding cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
www.brookings.edu
February 24, 2025 at 10:23 PM
In this op-ed, we - the presidents of SREE and AEFP - joined forces to argue for the importance of evidence on "what works" and how cutting such funding is not "efficient" - it is wasteful. www.brookings.edu/articles/cut...
Reposted by Sarah S
People experiencing pregnancy loss in states with abortion bans told us they wished they had known what to expect and how to advocate for themselves.
We created this guide for anyone who finds themselves in the same position.
We created this guide for anyone who finds themselves in the same position.
If You’re Pregnant, Here’s What You Should Know About the Medical Procedures That Could Save Your Life
Women experiencing pregnancy loss in states with abortion bans told us they wished they had known what to expect and how to advocate for themselves. We created this guide for anyone who finds…
propub.li
February 22, 2025 at 3:00 AM
People experiencing pregnancy loss in states with abortion bans told us they wished they had known what to expect and how to advocate for themselves.
We created this guide for anyone who finds themselves in the same position.
We created this guide for anyone who finds themselves in the same position.
Reposted by Sarah S
The NSF went beyond the Trump admin's demanded cuts, firing about 10% of its workforce — including most probationary employees and all of its experts — and warned of more layoffs to come.
‘You screwed people’: Inside the National Science Foundation’s firing of 168 workers
At an emotional meeting, foundation officials announced layoffs for about 10 percent of their workforce and warned of more firings to come.
www.politico.com
February 20, 2025 at 5:22 PM
The NSF went beyond the Trump admin's demanded cuts, firing about 10% of its workforce — including most probationary employees and all of its experts — and warned of more layoffs to come.
Reposted by Sarah S
HHS has ordered CDC to stop its influenza vaccine “Wild to Mild” media campaign. This is an award-winning campaign that effectively explains how influenza vaccine may not prevent infection but does decrease illness severity. We are currently having one of the worst influenza seasons in 15 years.
February 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
HHS has ordered CDC to stop its influenza vaccine “Wild to Mild” media campaign. This is an award-winning campaign that effectively explains how influenza vaccine may not prevent infection but does decrease illness severity. We are currently having one of the worst influenza seasons in 15 years.
Reposted by Sarah S
Lots of really helpful, specific actions you can take as an NSF reviewer, proposer, or PI to help out program officers (who are in an awful position right now).
See thread below from an NSF PO laid off yesterday 🧵👇
See thread below from an NSF PO laid off yesterday 🧵👇
Recognize that the evaluation timeline for the spring cycle has been greatly condensed. Panels were postponed and need to be rescheduled. To meet the timeline for funding in the fiscal year, recommendations from program officers are typically due by mid-July. The next few months will be intense. (2)
February 20, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Lots of really helpful, specific actions you can take as an NSF reviewer, proposer, or PI to help out program officers (who are in an awful position right now).
See thread below from an NSF PO laid off yesterday 🧵👇
See thread below from an NSF PO laid off yesterday 🧵👇
Reposted by Sarah S
JIC, here is an OSF Folder of the following What Works Clearinghouse materials as of February 2025:
- Data from Study Reviews
- Handbooks and Reviewer Resources
- Intervention Reports
- Practice Guides
osf.io/w5aq8/
- Data from Study Reviews
- Handbooks and Reviewer Resources
- Intervention Reports
- Practice Guides
osf.io/w5aq8/
What Works Clearinghouse Materials
WWC materials (downloaded February 2025)
Hosted on the Open Science Framework
osf.io
February 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
JIC, here is an OSF Folder of the following What Works Clearinghouse materials as of February 2025:
- Data from Study Reviews
- Handbooks and Reviewer Resources
- Intervention Reports
- Practice Guides
osf.io/w5aq8/
- Data from Study Reviews
- Handbooks and Reviewer Resources
- Intervention Reports
- Practice Guides
osf.io/w5aq8/
Reposted by Sarah S
Howard University is now a R1 university, the first HBCU with a research one designation. H-U definitely knows!
Howard University Receives “Research One” Carnegie Classification Indicating Highest Level of Research Production
The American Council of Education (ACE) today announced that Howard University has been conferred a Research One (R1) Carnegie Classification, indicating “very high research spending and doctorate pro...
thedig.howard.edu
February 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Howard University is now a R1 university, the first HBCU with a research one designation. H-U definitely knows!
Reposted by Sarah S
🚨 NEW *major* IES contracts cuts from just today
Axed the **congressionally mandated** Regional Education Laboratories (RELs), that are authorized by law: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
This means the DOGE team is becoming increasingly brazen in their cancellation strategy at the Dept of Ed.
Axed the **congressionally mandated** Regional Education Laboratories (RELs), that are authorized by law: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
This means the DOGE team is becoming increasingly brazen in their cancellation strategy at the Dept of Ed.
More contract cuts from the Education Department, this time to the Regional Education Laboratories that were spared in the last round. In a press release, department said it cut $350M in contracts that touched on equity in some way.
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program | IESicon-dot-govicon-httpsicon-quote
The ten RELs partner with educators and policymakers nationwide. REL work is change-oriented, supporting meaningful local, regional, or state decisions about education policies, programs, and practice...
ies.ed.gov
February 14, 2025 at 3:54 AM
🚨 NEW *major* IES contracts cuts from just today
Axed the **congressionally mandated** Regional Education Laboratories (RELs), that are authorized by law: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
This means the DOGE team is becoming increasingly brazen in their cancellation strategy at the Dept of Ed.
Axed the **congressionally mandated** Regional Education Laboratories (RELs), that are authorized by law: www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
This means the DOGE team is becoming increasingly brazen in their cancellation strategy at the Dept of Ed.
Reposted by Sarah S
The Regional Education Laboratories were cancelled. My friends employed the RELs are now jobless. The Dept of Ed & IES were created to provide free evidence-based resources to schools. Now the publishing companies are the only option, ineffective & expensive. Call you congresspeople.
February 14, 2025 at 2:45 AM
The Regional Education Laboratories were cancelled. My friends employed the RELs are now jobless. The Dept of Ed & IES were created to provide free evidence-based resources to schools. Now the publishing companies are the only option, ineffective & expensive. Call you congresspeople.
Reposted by Sarah S
To my mind, no institution has done more to explore issues around education in rural areas than the REL - Appalachia. Now, it's gone. Truly unreal.
More contract cuts from the Education Department, this time to the Regional Education Laboratories that were spared in the last round. In a press release, department said it cut $350M in contracts that touched on equity in some way.
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program | IESicon-dot-govicon-httpsicon-quote
The ten RELs partner with educators and policymakers nationwide. REL work is change-oriented, supporting meaningful local, regional, or state decisions about education policies, programs, and practice...
ies.ed.gov
February 14, 2025 at 2:31 AM
To my mind, no institution has done more to explore issues around education in rural areas than the REL - Appalachia. Now, it's gone. Truly unreal.
Reposted by Sarah S
I worked on a few REL projects while at RAND & the connection btwn our research and the needs of local policy makers was clear, tangible & acute, and the impact was direct
This isn’t about cutting government waste, this is about finding more ways to undermine efforts to strengthen public schools
This isn’t about cutting government waste, this is about finding more ways to undermine efforts to strengthen public schools
More contract cuts from the Education Department, this time to the Regional Education Laboratories that were spared in the last round. In a press release, department said it cut $350M in contracts that touched on equity in some way.
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program | IESicon-dot-govicon-httpsicon-quote
The ten RELs partner with educators and policymakers nationwide. REL work is change-oriented, supporting meaningful local, regional, or state decisions about education policies, programs, and practice...
ies.ed.gov
February 14, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I worked on a few REL projects while at RAND & the connection btwn our research and the needs of local policy makers was clear, tangible & acute, and the impact was direct
This isn’t about cutting government waste, this is about finding more ways to undermine efforts to strengthen public schools
This isn’t about cutting government waste, this is about finding more ways to undermine efforts to strengthen public schools
Reposted by Sarah S
More contract cuts from the Education Department, this time to the Regional Education Laboratories that were spared in the last round. In a press release, department said it cut $350M in contracts that touched on equity in some way.
The Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Program | IESicon-dot-govicon-httpsicon-quote
The ten RELs partner with educators and policymakers nationwide. REL work is change-oriented, supporting meaningful local, regional, or state decisions about education policies, programs, and practice...
ies.ed.gov
February 14, 2025 at 2:24 AM
More contract cuts from the Education Department, this time to the Regional Education Laboratories that were spared in the last round. In a press release, department said it cut $350M in contracts that touched on equity in some way.
Reposted by Sarah S
Great post that shows how the IES contract cancellations leads to more, not less, waste:
"When we’re spending over $1 billion a year on this program, does it make sense to cancel a multi-year contract worth about 1 percent of that amount that might tell us how well the program is working?"
"When we’re spending over $1 billion a year on this program, does it make sense to cancel a multi-year contract worth about 1 percent of that amount that might tell us how well the program is working?"
Inexplicable Cuts at the Dept. of Education
Recently, DOGE has bragged about terminating 89 contracts worth a collective $881 million at the Institute for Education Sciences at the US Department of Education.
goodscience.substack.com
February 14, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Great post that shows how the IES contract cancellations leads to more, not less, waste:
"When we’re spending over $1 billion a year on this program, does it make sense to cancel a multi-year contract worth about 1 percent of that amount that might tell us how well the program is working?"
"When we’re spending over $1 billion a year on this program, does it make sense to cancel a multi-year contract worth about 1 percent of that amount that might tell us how well the program is working?"
Reposted by Sarah S
All Americans want great schools, affordable, high-quality health care, safe neighborhoods, and good jobs.
Finding What Works: AIR’s History of Developing Insights to Drive Improvements to Practice and Policy | American Institutes for Research
Since 1946, AIR has worked diligently for the American people as a trusted government contractor and grantee. A nonpartisan social and behavioral science research organization, AIR has been committed ...
www.air.org
February 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM
All Americans want great schools, affordable, high-quality health care, safe neighborhoods, and good jobs.
Reposted by Sarah S
Find out how much federally funded education programs benefit students in **each congressional district** in the US
In this crucial new dashboard tool @UmichPoverty
poverty.umich.edu/federal-educ...
In this crucial new dashboard tool @UmichPoverty
poverty.umich.edu/federal-educ...
» Federal Education Funding Data Dashboard
Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan
poverty.umich.edu
February 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Find out how much federally funded education programs benefit students in **each congressional district** in the US
In this crucial new dashboard tool @UmichPoverty
poverty.umich.edu/federal-educ...
In this crucial new dashboard tool @UmichPoverty
poverty.umich.edu/federal-educ...