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Atlantic magazine
Alia Wong is education editor at the Atlantic.
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Alia Wong
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FROM Alia Wong
To the Point
Diversity in higher education is back in the crosshairs Despite decades of legal actions, legislation, and US Supreme Court decisions, "affirmative action" in college admissions is still a political hot potato. The New York Times reports that the Trump Administration is recruiting from among its political appointees to the Justice Department's Civil Rights division for lawyers who want to bring challenges to race-based policies in university and college admissions. Critics fear that will weaken protections for blacks and Latinos. Caught in the middle is the fastest-growing minority, Asian-Americans. Is the Administration aiming for real change — or signaling to its base of supporters? Is the real enemy of "diversity" not race after all--but economic inequality?
To the Point
DeVos confirmed as education secretary as Pence breaks tie Betsy DeVos was confirmed as President Trump's Education Secretary today by the narrowest margin provided by the Constitution. Vice President Mike Pence declared, "The Senate being equally divided, the Vice President votes in the affirmative and the nomination is confirmed." That was the first time in history that a Vice President broke a tie to confirm a cabinet nominee. Democrats conducted a 24-hour speaking marathon before the vote. Alia Wong, Education Editor at The Atlantic , says efforts by two GOP Senators to derail the confirmation fell short against pressure from fellow Republicans to stick with their party's preference.
To the Point
Obama and Former Students Go After For-Profit Colleges "The future of the for-profit college industry is looking pretty dismal right about now — and that, many would agree, is generally a good thing." That's the first line of an article in The Atlantic magazine, " The Downfall of For-Profit Colleges ." After investigating the "shady" practices of some for-profit colleges, the Obama Administration is going after their budgets. We hear how loopholes may be closed and talk to an angry former student who refuses to pay back her loans
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?