The Report Card with Nat Malkus 2025 in Review
Dec 30, 2025
Sarah Mervosh, an education reporter at The New York Times, covers K-12 policy, while Eric Kelderman focuses on higher education for The Chronicle of Higher Education, and Jill Barshay reports for The Hechinger Report, emphasizing student learning. They delve into the Trump administration’s impact on education, alarming declines in reading, and rising absenteeism. They analyze cuts to education funding and discuss the looming challenges of graduation rates and FAFSA processing, highlighting crucial under-reported stories affecting schools.
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Trump Administration Dominates Education News
- The Trump administration dominated education coverage in 2025 through broad actions affecting policy, funding, and civil rights enforcement.
- Its moves reshaped public focus and drove most major education headlines all year.
Ivy League Attacks Could Reshape Research
- Attacks on highly selective colleges this year could ripple across the whole higher education sector.
- Canceling large portions of university research funding is unprecedented and may reshape research priorities.
Research Funding Rules Change Academic Incentives
- Restricting facilities and administration (F&A) rates and research on race/gender could reshape academic career incentives.
- Reduced overhead and banned topics may deter scholars from certain research areas.