What about ourselves can we keep private? In part, the issue is whether anything can be considered private in a world where corporations collect and sell personal information to the highest bidder and government regulations shape even the most personal choices. At the same time, keeping information private can cause social harm – for example, most people would agree that a would-be mass shooter should not have the right to keep their preparations private. Balancing these competing interests, the courts have established that individuals have a right to keep some information private and to make some decisions without government oversight. How much privacy does this right give the average American? How do these decisions balance an individual’s interest in privacy with society’s interest in preventing bad outcomes?

In the 2019-2020 academic year, around 11 million college or high school students were enrolled in vocational education programs. These programs allow students to develop skills for a specific profession, such as nursing or a skilled trade. Vocational education is often discussed as an alternative to university degree programs. What careers does vocational education train students for? Is it a good alternative to a four-year college degree? How does choosing a vocational path versus a traditional university degree impact student debt?

Schools have always used standardized tests to evaluate student progress. Although many colleges and universities have made tests optional, many still use standardized tests for admissions. One of the newer practices is using standardized tests by federal and state governments to monitor student performance in specific subject areas and assign ratings to local schools. These mandated tests are our focus here. What is their purpose, and how do they influence what students learn?