Rachel Chamberlain
@rachelchamberlain.bsky.social
Researcher, educator, public school advocate. Rural education and policy.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
Whenever you hear a story of a kid "beating the odds," it's fine to cheer and feel inspired and all the normal human responses.
But man, then you've gotta take a breath and ask yourself *why* are we tolerating systems that set up LONG ODDS for kids getting the chance to flourish?
But man, then you've gotta take a breath and ask yourself *why* are we tolerating systems that set up LONG ODDS for kids getting the chance to flourish?
November 6, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Whenever you hear a story of a kid "beating the odds," it's fine to cheer and feel inspired and all the normal human responses.
But man, then you've gotta take a breath and ask yourself *why* are we tolerating systems that set up LONG ODDS for kids getting the chance to flourish?
But man, then you've gotta take a breath and ask yourself *why* are we tolerating systems that set up LONG ODDS for kids getting the chance to flourish?
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
The newest executive order makes major changes to federal grantmaking, including additional review by presidential appointees and prioritizing applications with lower indirect cost rates. To the extent that federal funding remains, this is a big deal.
August 7, 2025 at 8:03 PM
The newest executive order makes major changes to federal grantmaking, including additional review by presidential appointees and prioritizing applications with lower indirect cost rates. To the extent that federal funding remains, this is a big deal.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
If you’re a homeschool alum leaving home for the first time ever, here are some resources to help you establish your life and keep yourself safe.
A Survival Guide for Homeschool Alumni
Here are some resources to help you establish your life and keep yourself safe.
rlstollar.com
August 7, 2025 at 1:24 PM
If you’re a homeschool alum leaving home for the first time ever, here are some resources to help you establish your life and keep yourself safe.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
This is the same excuse used to close programs in highered. “You were too isolated in your ivory tower. You can’t explain your relevance. You didn’t tell enough stories about how you’re important for the real world.” It’s basic gaslighting
You hear this a lot on the left but it isn't true. USAID did not "fail to tell its story to Americans," the right targeted the agency with lies and misinformation.
Ultimately this narrative turns conservative attacks into even more calls for the left to reform.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/o...
Ultimately this narrative turns conservative attacks into even more calls for the left to reform.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/29/o...
July 1, 2025 at 2:29 AM
This is the same excuse used to close programs in highered. “You were too isolated in your ivory tower. You can’t explain your relevance. You didn’t tell enough stories about how you’re important for the real world.” It’s basic gaslighting
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
Just published: The Trump administration is holding back $6.5 billion in funding for K-12 schools that the law says must flow to states tomorrow.
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Trump Tells States He's Holding Back $6.8 Billion for Schools
Schools nationwide won't see almost $6.8 billion in funding for English learners, migrant students, professional development, and more.
www.edweek.org
June 30, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Just published: The Trump administration is holding back $6.5 billion in funding for K-12 schools that the law says must flow to states tomorrow.
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
It's not clear when, or if, the money will be released. www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
56 years ago, brave Americans stood up to hate and violence at the Stonewall Inn, sparking the LGBTQ+ movement for equal rights. Today, as we continue to see attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, we are reminded of what’s possible when we stand together in the fight for equality.
June 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
56 years ago, brave Americans stood up to hate and violence at the Stonewall Inn, sparking the LGBTQ+ movement for equal rights. Today, as we continue to see attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, we are reminded of what’s possible when we stand together in the fight for equality.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
They want you to distrust public schools and misperceive education as only a private, individual good so that they can privatize it and subjugate the people who can't afford to escape it.
Mahmoud v. Taylor fast tracks that agenda.
Mahmoud v. Taylor fast tracks that agenda.
June 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
They want you to distrust public schools and misperceive education as only a private, individual good so that they can privatize it and subjugate the people who can't afford to escape it.
Mahmoud v. Taylor fast tracks that agenda.
Mahmoud v. Taylor fast tracks that agenda.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
Federal funding for schools has been in disarray all year. It's only getting worse.
My latest reporting for @edweek.bsky.social:
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
My latest reporting for @edweek.bsky.social:
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
A 'Tsunami' of Uncertainty Is Crashing Into Federal Funding for Schools
The Trump administration has cut grants, terminated contracts, delayed funding estimates, and cut off communications to districts.
www.edweek.org
June 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Federal funding for schools has been in disarray all year. It's only getting worse.
My latest reporting for @edweek.bsky.social:
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
My latest reporting for @edweek.bsky.social:
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
The What Works Clearinghouse in education was the gold standard of research evidence. Unfortunately, all of those employees--along with nearly all of IES--were terminated.
May 23, 2025 at 10:52 PM
The What Works Clearinghouse in education was the gold standard of research evidence. Unfortunately, all of those employees--along with nearly all of IES--were terminated.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
Public schools are one of the best tools we have to build a prosperous, equitable country🏫
EPI's @hilwething.bsky.social outlines 5 threats to public school funding, from voucher programs to Trump's attacks on the Dept of Ed: www.epi.org/blog/the-fiv...
Invest in public schools, don't defund them!
EPI's @hilwething.bsky.social outlines 5 threats to public school funding, from voucher programs to Trump's attacks on the Dept of Ed: www.epi.org/blog/the-fiv...
Invest in public schools, don't defund them!
The five-alarm fire that public education is facing
Acknowledgments: This blog post would not have been possible without the intellectual contribution and data analysis conducted by Joanna LeFebvre and Katja Krieger. All children deserve to attend welc...
www.epi.org
May 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Public schools are one of the best tools we have to build a prosperous, equitable country🏫
EPI's @hilwething.bsky.social outlines 5 threats to public school funding, from voucher programs to Trump's attacks on the Dept of Ed: www.epi.org/blog/the-fiv...
Invest in public schools, don't defund them!
EPI's @hilwething.bsky.social outlines 5 threats to public school funding, from voucher programs to Trump's attacks on the Dept of Ed: www.epi.org/blog/the-fiv...
Invest in public schools, don't defund them!
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
NEW: Schools are likely to lose mental health staff & colleges may shut down training programs after the Trump admin stopped funding many grants meant to help schools after the Uvalde tragedy. Colorado, Oklahoma, Wisconsin & Teachers College (helping NYC) all lost $ www.chalkbeat.org/2025/05/02/t...
Congress wanted schools to hire more mental health staff. The Trump administration took an ax to that bipartisan plan.
The Trump administration told many school districts, states, and colleges that they would no longer receive grant funding to hire or train mental health staff for schools. Proponents of the program wo...
www.chalkbeat.org
May 2, 2025 at 11:33 PM
NEW: Schools are likely to lose mental health staff & colleges may shut down training programs after the Trump admin stopped funding many grants meant to help schools after the Uvalde tragedy. Colorado, Oklahoma, Wisconsin & Teachers College (helping NYC) all lost $ www.chalkbeat.org/2025/05/02/t...
I have really great memories of being a graduate student here. I’m horrified that at UMN and every campus it is not safe for our international friends. Despicable.
A University of Minnesota graduate student was detained by ICE on the Twin Cities campus
In an email to students, university officials called it a “deeply concerning situation.”
In an email to students, university officials called it a “deeply concerning situation.”
International graduate student at U detained by ICE agents
In an email to students, university officials called it a “deeply concerning situation.”
www.startribune.com
March 29, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I have really great memories of being a graduate student here. I’m horrified that at UMN and every campus it is not safe for our international friends. Despicable.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
If you care about preserving online resources being scrubbed from federal gov't websites, support the work of the Internet Archive. I've used it for teaching, research, and writing. I donated & hope you will, too.
archive.org
archive.org
Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine
archive.org
March 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
If you care about preserving online resources being scrubbed from federal gov't websites, support the work of the Internet Archive. I've used it for teaching, research, and writing. I donated & hope you will, too.
archive.org
archive.org
“If we can’t report results, that would violate our covenant with the districts, the teachers, the parents, and the students who devoted a lot of time in the hope of generating knowledge about what works.”
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/02/26/t...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/02/26/t...
A teen with autism and his mom were getting help planning for college. Then came DOGE.
A federally funded research program helped students with disabilities prepare for life after high school. DOGE’s sweeping Education Department cuts brought this and dozens of other studies to an abrup...
www.chalkbeat.org
February 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
“If we can’t report results, that would violate our covenant with the districts, the teachers, the parents, and the students who devoted a lot of time in the hope of generating knowledge about what works.”
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/02/26/t...
www.chalkbeat.org/2025/02/26/t...
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
Why we have and need a US Department of Education
🚨 New from @brookings.edu scholars, an initiative to walk through the federal role in education, particularly the ongoing need for a Department of Education and all it does
www.brookings.edu/collection/w...
🚨 New from @brookings.edu scholars, an initiative to walk through the federal role in education, particularly the ongoing need for a Department of Education and all it does
www.brookings.edu/collection/w...
Why we have and need a US Department of Education
This series considers what the U.S. Department of Education does to shape education policy and practice in the United States.
www.brookings.edu
February 21, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Why we have and need a US Department of Education
🚨 New from @brookings.edu scholars, an initiative to walk through the federal role in education, particularly the ongoing need for a Department of Education and all it does
www.brookings.edu/collection/w...
🚨 New from @brookings.edu scholars, an initiative to walk through the federal role in education, particularly the ongoing need for a Department of Education and all it does
www.brookings.edu/collection/w...
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
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...
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
I'm gonna be a broken record about it. Feeling down? Do something. Feeling helpless? Do something. Feeling scared? Do something.
(Yes, yes, yes, do what you need to not burn out, and to make life worth living / keep culture alive and vibrant.)
Action empowers. It refreshes. It builds community.
(Yes, yes, yes, do what you need to not burn out, and to make life worth living / keep culture alive and vibrant.)
Action empowers. It refreshes. It builds community.
All that matters anymore is action.
February 11, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I'm gonna be a broken record about it. Feeling down? Do something. Feeling helpless? Do something. Feeling scared? Do something.
(Yes, yes, yes, do what you need to not burn out, and to make life worth living / keep culture alive and vibrant.)
Action empowers. It refreshes. It builds community.
(Yes, yes, yes, do what you need to not burn out, and to make life worth living / keep culture alive and vibrant.)
Action empowers. It refreshes. It builds community.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
IES is one of the country’s largest funders of education research, and the slashing of contracts could mean a significant loss of public knowledge about schools.
New, from @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social @propublica.org
New, from @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social @propublica.org
Elon Musk’s Team Decimates Education Department Arm That Tracks National School Performance
The Trump administration canceled $900 million in contracts overseen by the Institute of Education Sciences, which partners with scientists and education companies to compile and make public data abou...
www.propublica.org
February 11, 2025 at 5:35 AM
IES is one of the country’s largest funders of education research, and the slashing of contracts could mean a significant loss of public knowledge about schools.
New, from @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social @propublica.org
New, from @jodiscohen.bsky.social @jsmithrichards.bsky.social @propublica.org
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
in what meaningful way can we say that the constitution is in effect when an unelected and unaccountable billionaire is wielding state power to unilaterally cancel congressional appropriations?
Hearing that DOGE went into the Dept of Education today and shut down almost the entirety of the department's in-house research arm, Institute of Educational Sciences, cancelling contracts totally about $900m.
February 11, 2025 at 1:34 AM
in what meaningful way can we say that the constitution is in effect when an unelected and unaccountable billionaire is wielding state power to unilaterally cancel congressional appropriations?
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
this from a representative at American Institutes for Research about DOGE/Trump cancelling IES contracts is spot on (& good on them for speaking out clearly about this)
February 11, 2025 at 1:41 AM
this from a representative at American Institutes for Research about DOGE/Trump cancelling IES contracts is spot on (& good on them for speaking out clearly about this)
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
How much funding would public schools in your state lose if Title I programs were cut? Use ELC's new advocacy tool to explore the impact of potential federal revenue losses. edlawcenter.org/research/tru...
February 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
How much funding would public schools in your state lose if Title I programs were cut? Use ELC's new advocacy tool to explore the impact of potential federal revenue losses. edlawcenter.org/research/tru...
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
for pity’s sake, I am BEGGING university leaders to stop framing this issue in terms of what this will cost the university. people dont care!
EXPLAIN WHAT THIS WILL COST THE PUBLIC: closed hospitals and clinics, skipped treatments, loss of access to experimental drugs, unemployment, recession
EXPLAIN WHAT THIS WILL COST THE PUBLIC: closed hospitals and clinics, skipped treatments, loss of access to experimental drugs, unemployment, recession
February 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
for pity’s sake, I am BEGGING university leaders to stop framing this issue in terms of what this will cost the university. people dont care!
EXPLAIN WHAT THIS WILL COST THE PUBLIC: closed hospitals and clinics, skipped treatments, loss of access to experimental drugs, unemployment, recession
EXPLAIN WHAT THIS WILL COST THE PUBLIC: closed hospitals and clinics, skipped treatments, loss of access to experimental drugs, unemployment, recession
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
I’ve always said this was a big key to Trump’s appeal: What perversely excites a lot of people is that he represents liberation from the tyranny of basic decency.
I'd like to see more writing on how the Musk/Trump junta feels like a frontal attack on the entire concept of virtue, in even the most traditional senses.
They are actively demonizing and punishing everyone who doesn't worship Mammon.
They are actively demonizing and punishing everyone who doesn't worship Mammon.
February 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I’ve always said this was a big key to Trump’s appeal: What perversely excites a lot of people is that he represents liberation from the tyranny of basic decency.
Reposted by Rachel Chamberlain
Research universities are often the largest employers in their region. They are often the primary health care providers to communities. This funding shift will not only reduce US research leadership, it will put working people out of work and reduce healthcare access.
Excellent 🧵 on this evening's NIH announcement of a dramatic reduction in indirect rates for research institutions, which amounts to a generational restructuring of the US research and development ecosystem. These cuts are effective immediately, not just for new grants but for existing ones.
6. The policy does not just affect funding going forward. All existing NIH grants will have their indirect rates cut to 15% as of today, the date of issuance.
For a large university, this creates a sudden and catastrophic shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars against already budgeted funds.
For a large university, this creates a sudden and catastrophic shortfall of hundreds of millions of dollars against already budgeted funds.
February 8, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Research universities are often the largest employers in their region. They are often the primary health care providers to communities. This funding shift will not only reduce US research leadership, it will put working people out of work and reduce healthcare access.