federal data is terrible

In OPtimizing EDucation, by Mia Murphy August 28, 2025

With the federal government’s ongoing decisions to tear down years of carefully built data systems, it’s bleak out there for higher education policy folks. We can no longer count on having access to accurate and timely data about the areas we study or represent. That’s why the…

In OPtimizing EDucation, by Mia Murphy July 27, 2023

Every few years, I like to draw attention to the shocking difference between what the federal government thinks a student is, and what the State of Michigan knows about students. It’s time for one of those posts again. The state’s Center for Education Performance and Information…

In Accountability, May 23, 2017

Nobody would trade in a working car to a dealer that only wanted to buy the engine, one headlight, and two doors. No utility would let a customer pick and choose which kilowatts of energy they felt like paying for. American politicians don’t get to hold votes in secret and hide…