The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
A snapshot of America’s schools: Trends and global comparisons
English Summary
The Brookings report characterizes the U.S. education system as undergoing a 'learning recession,' marked by declining academic performance and low public satisfaction. Key evidence includes falling NAEP scores, particularly in math, and the alarming widening of achievement gaps between high and low-scoring students, a trend noted as uniquely American. Furthermore, students report poor well-being and high rates of disengagement. Policy implications suggest that addressing the crisis requires systemic interventions focused on social equity, mental health, and structural reform, rather than single-subject or single-cause solutions.
中文摘要
布魯金斯報告將美國教育體系描述為正經歷「學習衰退」，其特徵是學業表現下降和公眾滿意度低落。關鍵證據包括 NAEP 評分持續走低，尤其是在數學科目方面，以及高分與低分學生之間成就差距令人擔憂地擴大，這被指出是一個獨特的美國現象。此外，學生普遍反映身心健康狀況不佳，且參與度（或：投入度）居高不下。政策意涵顯示，要應對這場危機，必須採取著重於社會公平、心理健康和結構性改革的系統性干預措施，而非單純針對單一科目或單一原因的解決方案。
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