Evidence-based policymaking

Judge: Pentagon Selectively Used Studies to Justify Transgender Ban

A federal judge has ruled that the Pentagon selectively used studies to justify its ban on transgender service members. This decision highlights concerns about the methodology and motivations behind the policy. The judge’s finding suggests a deliberate effort to support a predetermined conclusion, rather than a fair and impartial assessment of the evidence. It calls into question the integrity of the process used to formulate the policy and raises serious questions about the fairness and equity of the military’s approach to transgender individuals.

The sheer volume of questionable choices made in supporting this ban is staggering. The selective use of data appears to be a deliberate tactic, cherry-picking information that bolsters a pre-existing bias against transgender individuals while ignoring or downplaying contradictory evidence.… Continue reading

$900 Million in Education Contracts Axed: A Political Power Grab or Necessary Spending Cut?

The Department of Government Efficiency announced the termination of approximately $881 million in Institute of Education Sciences (IES) contracts, impacting data collection and research capabilities. While the exact number of canceled contracts remains unclear, ranging from 89 to 170, the cuts severely hinder IES’s ability to produce congressionally mandated reports and provide crucial data to policymakers and researchers. This includes loss of online access to vital education data sets, forcing researchers to utilize outdated methods, and halting grant review panels. The consequences include delays in research, undermining evidence-based policymaking, and a significant reduction in available data on K-12 and higher education.

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