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How well do military skills translate to jobs in the civilian workforce? What is the health care experience like for veterans? How much do we know about the needs of veteran families?
Listen to a special Veterans Day episode of Policy Minded. ⬇️
Listen to a special Veterans Day episode of Policy Minded. ⬇️
November 11, 2025 at 5:57 PM
How well do military skills translate to jobs in the civilian workforce? What is the health care experience like for veterans? How much do we know about the needs of veteran families?
Listen to a special Veterans Day episode of Policy Minded. ⬇️
Listen to a special Veterans Day episode of Policy Minded. ⬇️
New data show growing inaccuracies in official homeless counts in Los Angeles. https://bit.ly/4mZrC5L
October 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
New data show growing inaccuracies in official homeless counts in Los Angeles. https://bit.ly/4mZrC5L
Official homeless counts in Los Angeles increasingly underestimate the number of people living on the street in three key neighborhoods. https://bit.ly/3WD5DH0
October 15, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Official homeless counts in Los Angeles increasingly underestimate the number of people living on the street in three key neighborhoods. https://bit.ly/3WD5DH0
An estimated 125 million American adults know someone who has died of a drug overdose.
The experiences of family and friends left behind by fatal overdoses have been overlooked. RAND's Alison Athey explains why more supports are needed for those who are grieving. bit.ly/3WBfVr8
The experiences of family and friends left behind by fatal overdoses have been overlooked. RAND's Alison Athey explains why more supports are needed for those who are grieving. bit.ly/3WBfVr8
October 14, 2025 at 4:42 PM
An estimated 125 million American adults know someone who has died of a drug overdose.
The experiences of family and friends left behind by fatal overdoses have been overlooked. RAND's Alison Athey explains why more supports are needed for those who are grieving. bit.ly/3WBfVr8
The experiences of family and friends left behind by fatal overdoses have been overlooked. RAND's Alison Athey explains why more supports are needed for those who are grieving. bit.ly/3WBfVr8
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.
81% of those who were against phone bans said that their parents should be able to reach them when needed.
October 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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.
81% of those who were against phone bans said that their parents should be able to reach them when needed.
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.
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.
October 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
October 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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.
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.
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."
67% of principals said their schools had a policy that prohibited cell phone use from "bell to bell."
October 7, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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."
67% of principals said their schools had a policy that prohibited cell phone use from "bell to bell."
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.
October 2, 2025 at 8:58 PM
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.
The use of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications has increased sharply in recent years.
Our new report shows rates of use across different demographic groups. https://bit.ly/41JTFOQ
Our new report shows rates of use across different demographic groups. https://bit.ly/41JTFOQ
August 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The use of Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications has increased sharply in recent years.
Our new report shows rates of use across different demographic groups. https://bit.ly/41JTFOQ
Our new report shows rates of use across different demographic groups. https://bit.ly/41JTFOQ
5️⃣ More teachers are using standards-aligned materials.
For decades, states have tried to get more schools to adopt high-quality instructional materials. There's been a steady increase in use over the last six years.
For decades, states have tried to get more schools to adopt high-quality instructional materials. There's been a steady increase in use over the last six years.
August 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
5️⃣ More teachers are using standards-aligned materials.
For decades, states have tried to get more schools to adopt high-quality instructional materials. There's been a steady increase in use over the last six years.
For decades, states have tried to get more schools to adopt high-quality instructional materials. There's been a steady increase in use over the last six years.
4️⃣ Female teachers report more job-related stress.
Teachers who are stressed or otherwise experiencing poor well-being may not always be able to give their best effort to their students.
Teachers who are stressed or otherwise experiencing poor well-being may not always be able to give their best effort to their students.
August 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
4️⃣ Female teachers report more job-related stress.
Teachers who are stressed or otherwise experiencing poor well-being may not always be able to give their best effort to their students.
Teachers who are stressed or otherwise experiencing poor well-being may not always be able to give their best effort to their students.
3️⃣ Teachers feel unprepared to instruct multilingual learners.
About 10% of students are still developing English proficiency. Only about half of the teachers we asked said they felt prepared to teach these students to reach the grade-level standard in their subject.
About 10% of students are still developing English proficiency. Only about half of the teachers we asked said they felt prepared to teach these students to reach the grade-level standard in their subject.
August 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
3️⃣ Teachers feel unprepared to instruct multilingual learners.
About 10% of students are still developing English proficiency. Only about half of the teachers we asked said they felt prepared to teach these students to reach the grade-level standard in their subject.
About 10% of students are still developing English proficiency. Only about half of the teachers we asked said they felt prepared to teach these students to reach the grade-level standard in their subject.
2️⃣ Students are bored with math.
About half of middle and high school students reported losing interest during their math lessons about half or more of the time.
About half of middle and high school students reported losing interest during their math lessons about half or more of the time.
August 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
2️⃣ Students are bored with math.
About half of middle and high school students reported losing interest during their math lessons about half or more of the time.
About half of middle and high school students reported losing interest during their math lessons about half or more of the time.
1️⃣ Chronic absenteeism—when a student misses at least 10% of school days per year—remains a challenge.
Empty desks are a problem in schools across the country, but *extreme* chronic absenteeism is highly concentrated in urban school districts.
Empty desks are a problem in schools across the country, but *extreme* chronic absenteeism is highly concentrated in urban school districts.
August 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
1️⃣ Chronic absenteeism—when a student misses at least 10% of school days per year—remains a challenge.
Empty desks are a problem in schools across the country, but *extreme* chronic absenteeism is highly concentrated in urban school districts.
Empty desks are a problem in schools across the country, but *extreme* chronic absenteeism is highly concentrated in urban school districts.
We also asked students what they thought about chronic absenteeism. One-quarter said that it's "mostly OK" to miss three weeks of school in a school year:
August 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM
We also asked students what they thought about chronic absenteeism. One-quarter said that it's "mostly OK" to miss three weeks of school in a school year:
Empty desks are a problem in schools across the country, but *extreme* chronic absenteeism is highly concentrated in urban school districts.
Roughly half of urban districts reported extreme levels of chronic absenteeism last year.
Roughly half of urban districts reported extreme levels of chronic absenteeism last year.
August 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Empty desks are a problem in schools across the country, but *extreme* chronic absenteeism is highly concentrated in urban school districts.
Roughly half of urban districts reported extreme levels of chronic absenteeism last year.
Roughly half of urban districts reported extreme levels of chronic absenteeism last year.
Chronic absenteeism—when a student misses at least 10% of school days per year—is a persistent challenge, even years removed from the pandemic.
We estimate that roughly 22% of K–12 students were chronically absent in the 2024–2025 school year. That’s nearly 11 million kids.
We estimate that roughly 22% of K–12 students were chronically absent in the 2024–2025 school year. That’s nearly 11 million kids.
August 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Chronic absenteeism—when a student misses at least 10% of school days per year—is a persistent challenge, even years removed from the pandemic.
We estimate that roughly 22% of K–12 students were chronically absent in the 2024–2025 school year. That’s nearly 11 million kids.
We estimate that roughly 22% of K–12 students were chronically absent in the 2024–2025 school year. That’s nearly 11 million kids.
Among those who have used GLP-1 drugs, about half report they have experienced nausea. About 1/3 experienced diarrhea.
The majority of those who report having side effects note that they are mild.
The majority of those who report having side effects note that they are mild.
August 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Among those who have used GLP-1 drugs, about half report they have experienced nausea. About 1/3 experienced diarrhea.
The majority of those who report having side effects note that they are mild.
The majority of those who report having side effects note that they are mild.
Women tend to use GLP-1 drugs at higher rates than men. The medications are most used by women between the ages of 50 and 64.
Here's a breakdown:
Here's a breakdown:
August 6, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Women tend to use GLP-1 drugs at higher rates than men. The medications are most used by women between the ages of 50 and 64.
Here's a breakdown:
Here's a breakdown:
Nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs—such as Ozempic—for weight loss. 14% say they're interested in them.
New findings from the largest and most recent survey on Americans' use of a new class of weight loss drugs. 🧵
New findings from the largest and most recent survey on Americans' use of a new class of weight loss drugs. 🧵
August 6, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs—such as Ozempic—for weight loss. 14% say they're interested in them.
New findings from the largest and most recent survey on Americans' use of a new class of weight loss drugs. 🧵
New findings from the largest and most recent survey on Americans' use of a new class of weight loss drugs. 🧵
On our new podcast, Policy Minded, we're letting you in on conversations with some of the world's leading policy experts.
Today, we're picking the brain of Beth Asch, a renowned expert on military personnel and defense manpower…
Today, we're picking the brain of Beth Asch, a renowned expert on military personnel and defense manpower…
May 15, 2025 at 6:39 PM
On our new podcast, Policy Minded, we're letting you in on conversations with some of the world's leading policy experts.
Today, we're picking the brain of Beth Asch, a renowned expert on military personnel and defense manpower…
Today, we're picking the brain of Beth Asch, a renowned expert on military personnel and defense manpower…
On Policy Minded, our new podcast, we'll pick the brains of the world's top policy experts, so you can get even smarter about the issues that shape the world.
🎙️ Our first episode drops May 15. Listen to the trailer and subscribe: www.rand.org/pubs/podcast...
🎙️ Our first episode drops May 15. Listen to the trailer and subscribe: www.rand.org/pubs/podcast...
May 13, 2025 at 9:57 PM
On Policy Minded, our new podcast, we'll pick the brains of the world's top policy experts, so you can get even smarter about the issues that shape the world.
🎙️ Our first episode drops May 15. Listen to the trailer and subscribe: www.rand.org/pubs/podcast...
🎙️ Our first episode drops May 15. Listen to the trailer and subscribe: www.rand.org/pubs/podcast...