Brown Center Chalkboard

The Brown Center Chalkboard is where Brookings scholars and guest authors bring evidence to bear on the pressing issues in U.S. education policy, politics, and practice.

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Student protestors hold signs while participating in the "Hands Off Our Schools" rally in front of the U.S. Department of Education on April 4, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Students from Georgetown University, Howard University, American University, George Washington University, George Mason University, and Temple University gathered to protest President Donald Trump dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.

Human Rights & Civil Liberties The politics of free speech in US schools today

Michael Hansen, Annabelle Kim

January 7, 2026

Kentucky Public school teachers rally for a "day of action" at the Kentucky State Capitol to try to pressure legislators to override Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin's recent veto of the state's tax and budget bills on April 13, 2018 in Frankfort, Kentucky. The teachers also oppose a controversial pension reform bill which Gov. Bevin signed into law. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Education Access & Equity School finance reforms made funding more equal by income, but not by race

Emily Rauscher, Jeremy E. Fiel

January 6, 2026

cartoon illustration of a young man leaning against a calculator (approximately 10 feet tall) (the calculator, not the young man) wearing a graduation cap (the calculator, not the young man), holding a pencil approximately 8 feet long (the young man, not the calculator)

Higher Education What college affordability debates get wrong on the returns to college

Dick Startz

December 16, 2025

Delores Leonard (center) walks her daughters to school before heading to work at a McDonald's in Chicago, Illinois, on Sept. 25, 2014. Leonard, a single mother, has been working at McDonald's for seven years and has never made more than minimum wage.

Education Access & Equity Tacos and tuition: A look at new college benefits for the low-wage workforce

Federick J. Ngo

December 11, 2025

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