Dear Members of the TC Community:

Over the last week, I attended the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association (AERA) in Denver, Colorado, which brings together some 15,000 attendees from across the country. As a researcher, I have always appreciated this chance to stay abreast of the field, as well as the opportunity to spend time with colleagues, including the TC community members who attend. I was proud to see Teachers College so well represented throughout the meeting, with more than 150 presentations featuring our students, faculty, and alumni. 

Given the state of research funding cuts from several federal agencies, there was a palpable feeling of concern among conference participants, but also warmth and camaraderie and much strategizing and coalition building as we continue to advocate for the value of research and its impact on the field.

We are continuing our efforts to raise public awareness of the impact of those cuts at TC and the good work we are doing. I’d like to thank our faculty members who have helped in this effort, and those who are leveraging their expertise in the public media, a good number of whom have been quoted in publications including Forbes, USA Today, and much more. A few recent examples include: 

• Elaine Smolen, Visiting Assistant Professor, Special Education: Deaf & Hard of Hearing, who participated in this recent All Things Considered segment on NPR on the impact of cuts on deaf students;
• Tom Brock, Director of the Community College Research Center (CCRC), whose blog post on the CCRC’s loss of funding led to coverage in Inside Higher Ed and Community College Daily; 
• Aaron Pallas, Arthur I. Gates Professor of Sociology and Education, who wrote What Does Trump’s Move to Dismantle the Department of Education Mean for NYC? in Vital City; 
• Michael Rebell, Executive Director of the Center for Educational Equity and Professor of Law and Educational Practice, who authored an op ed in the Boston Globe, DEI Policies in Schools Remain Legally Sound, as well an op ed in the Daily News, NYC Needs a New School Aid Formula; and 
• Jonathan Collins, Assistant Professor of Politics and Education and Associate Director of the Center for Educational Equity, who was quoted in two recent pieces in USA Today and TIME, the first on a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education amidst cuts to the Office of Civil Rights, and the second on the government's resumption of student debt collections.

We are also hosting a webinar, The First 100 Days: A Bipartisan Conversation on Tuesday, May 6, featuring a dialogue between Democratic and Republican policymakers, followed by a faculty-alumni response panel, which will include the impact of the administration’s actions in higher and K-12 education. 

As we move toward the end of the semester, I want to express my appreciation to our community members for continuing to do the important work of the College. I have enjoyed reading the community notes to our faculty members in recognition of our upcoming Faculty Appreciation Week and congratulate the students who were celebrated last night at the Provost’s Student Excellence Awards Ceremony. Even amid challenges, we have much to celebrate.

With best wishes,

Thomas Bailey
President
Teachers College, Columbia University