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The Missing Piece: Minerals Processing and Deep Sea Mining

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RAND @rand.org · 2h

"There is little indication that seabed mining will solve the primary chokepoint in the mineral value chain: China's dominance in midstream processing." https://bit.ly/3IRP9Yu

The world's oceans have long been a source of riches that help sustain human civilization. In the future, the oceans may again play a role in supporting resource security by providing a potential alte...

AI Use in Schools Is Quickly Increasing but Guidance Lags Behind

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RAND @rand.org · 7h

More than half of students and teachers used AI in 2025, but training on how to use AI in schools is scarce.

New report: https://bit.ly/3KBcw96

Artificial intelligence use has rapidly increased in schools, with students using it for their homework and teachers using it to create lesson plans and complete administrative tasks. But guidance on ...

How Cell Phone Policies Are Playing Out in Schools

RAND @rand.org · 1d

More insights from our surveys on cell phones in schools: bit.ly/4o3IgC9

Cell phones are overwhelming K–12 schools. Teachers cite constant disruptions in class and administrators worry that cell phones negatively affect academic learning, mental health, and attention spans...

RAND @rand.org · 1d

There was also a clear top reason why youth reported that schools should allow phone use in class.

81% of those who were against phone bans said that their parents should be able to reach them when needed.

Figure 6: Group of two bar charts showing students' reasons why schools should or should not ban cell phones from class

RAND @rand.org · 1d

We also asked youth why they supported or opposed policies prohibiting phone use during class.

88% said reducing distractions was their main reason for supporting restrictions.

RAND @rand.org · 1d

But what do students think?

Only 11% of youth enrolled in K–12 schools said that phone use should be prohibited “bell to bell.” But 60% did support at least *some* phone restrictions during the school day.

Figure 5: Bar chart showing percentages of youth enrolled in K-12 schools who support cell phone policies in some form

RAND @rand.org · 1d

Principals strongly endorsed the safety-related benefits of cell phone policies.

The most-cited benefits included positive effects on school climate, a reduction in inappropriate phone use, and less cyberbullying.

RAND @rand.org · 1d

High schools tended to have more-lenient policies.

49% of high schools allowed students to use their phones when class was not in session (e.g., lunch).

24% of high schools allowed students to sometimes use phones during class at the teacher’s discretion.

Figure 2: Bar chart showing various grade levels and their cell phone policies

RAND @rand.org · 1d

Nearly all K–12 schools had a policy that allowed students to bring their cell phones during the 2024–2025 school year.

67% of principals said their schools had a policy that prohibited cell phone use from "bell to bell."

Figure 1: Diagram showing percentages of how cell phones are allowed in schools. 95% of principals report students can bring phones to school.

How Cell Phone Policies Are Playing Out in Schools

RAND @rand.org · 1d

📲 Should cell phones be banned in schools?

We asked K–12 students and principals about policies that restrict cell phones during the school day.

Here's what they said…🧵
bit.ly/4o3IgC9

Cell phones are overwhelming K–12 schools. Teachers cite constant disruptions in class and administrators worry that cell phones negatively affect academic learning, mental health, and attention spans...

Five Questions: Shira Efron on the Future of Israel, Gaza, and Regional Peace

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RAND @rand.org · 1d

Two years after the October 7 attacks by Hamas and the start of the war in Gaza, the Middle East stands at a crossroads.

New Q&A with RAND's Shira Efron: https://bit.ly/4pZ5RWK

Two years after the October 7 attacks by Hamas and the start of the war in Gaza, the Middle East stands at a crossroads. Despite the immense challenges facing the region, RAND's Shira Efron sees reaso...

To Meet AI Energy Demands, Start with Maximizing the Power Grid

RAND @rand.org · 2d

"With America's AI leadership at stake, stakeholders in government and industry could expect the AI energy race to be one of the immediate battles to fight."

U.S. power grid infrastructure is straining to keep up with AI energy demands. Maximizing existing power grid capacity is critical to maintaining reliability and supporting long-term modernization.

Program to Reduce Insulin Costs for Medicare Beneficiaries Has Cut Spending, Improved Diabetes Care

RAND @rand.org · 3d

A program to reduce the price of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries has improved diabetes care and decreased costs for the federal government.

A three-year effort to reduce the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries has achieved its primary goals, lowering out-of-pocket costs for the medication and increasing enrollees' regular use of in...

Is Taiwan Prepared for an Attack by China?

RAND @rand.org · 4d

In a new episode of Policy Minded, RAND experts break down the Taiwan public's role in preparing for and defending against aggression by China.

🎧 Listen now: https://bit.ly/4mOWEgL

Civilian resilience is a crucial part of Taiwan’s national security. RAND’s Marta Kepe and Scott Harold break down what the Taiwanese people can do to prepare for and defend against aggression by Chin...

Rethinking Social and Economic Policy in the Age of AI

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RAND @rand.org · 5d

How can leaders navigate opportunities and challenges as AI is rapidly adopted across key sectors of the economy?

Our new series explores: https://bit.ly/3W7Ye2c

What are the social and economic policy implications of AI adoption? What types of trade-offs will policymakers need to manage? And how can they prepare for the potential speed and disruption of AI ad...

Millions of American Youth Are Disconnected

RAND @rand.org · 6d

There's more to explore here: bit.ly/4o5Zejz

About one in seven people ages 18 to 24 in the United States are disconnected, meaning they are not engaging in school, training, or work. This has enormous costs for individuals and for society.

RAND @rand.org · 6d

What interventions might help? RAND experts note that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for disconnected youth.

Rather, the wide variety of experiences and needs among disconnected young people call for a variety of solutions.

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RAND @rand.org · 6d

Most young people experiencing disconnection have at least a high school diploma. This suggests that efforts to promote high school graduation alone won’t solve the problem of disconnected youth.

Stacked bar chart comparing educational attainment of all young people and disconnected youth in four categories: No high school degree, GED, High school graduate, and some college plus

RAND @rand.org · 6d

Young men have somewhat higher rates of disconnection than young women overall.

But family status, race/ethnicity, and disability status generally are more important than sex in explaining disconnection rates.

RAND @rand.org · 6d

This figure shows rates of disconnection by age, education, and other key demographic characteristics.

Grouped bar chart comparing rates of disconnection between men and women by various dimensions including family structure, race, ethnicity, and education

RAND @rand.org · 6d

Disconnection has enormous costs.

Disconnected young people themselves forego wages in the short term and are expected to earn less throughout their working lives than their peers. And for society, this translates to lost tax revenue and other costs.

Millions of American Youth Are Disconnected

RAND @rand.org · 6d

About 1 in 7 young people in America (18 to 24 y/o) are *disconnected* — meaning they are not working, in school, or in training.

That group of more than 4 million youth is unlikely to be on a path toward economic prosperity.

Take a look...🧵
bit.ly/4o5Zejz

About one in seven people ages 18 to 24 in the United States are disconnected, meaning they are not engaging in school, training, or work. This has enormous costs for individuals and for society.

To Meet AI Energy Demands, Start with Maximizing the Power Grid

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RAND @rand.org · 6d

How can the U.S. keep up with the energy demands associated with AI?

For now, focus on maximizing the use of existing power grid capacity, say RAND's Ismael Arciniegas Rueda and Robin Wang.

U.S. power grid infrastructure is straining to keep up with AI energy demands. Maximizing existing power grid capacity is critical to maintaining reliability and supporting long-term modernization.

Program to Reduce Insulin Costs for Medicare Beneficiaries Has Cut Spending, Improved Diabetes Care

RAND @rand.org · 7d

A three-year effort to reduce the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries has achieved its primary goals, lowering out-of-pocket costs for the medication and increasing enrollees' regular use of insulin.

New findings:

A three-year effort to reduce the cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries has achieved its primary goals, lowering out-of-pocket costs for the medication and increasing enrollees' regular use of in...