Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon

Unemployment is very low and Americans report having strong confidence in the economy. But not everyone is benefitting equally. Professor Harry Holzer digs into why many Americans without a college degree still struggle to find jobs, especially ones that pay well, and what the government can do to help. For more on this topic: Read Holzer's report for Brookings, Jobs for the working class: Raising earnings among non-college graduates Check out his SSN brief, Are Job Training Programs a Good Way to Fight Poverty?

When the US decides whether or not to grant an immigrant a green card, they look at many factors. That includes if they heavily rely on certain government programs to get by. But proposed changes at the federal level means this whole system is about to change. Professor Tiffany Joseph explains these changes and what they mean for immigrants in America. Find the full rule online at the Federal Register, where public comments can be submitted Check out this explainer of the public charge rule change by Vox Read Joseph's SSN brief, How Health Reform Excludes Unauthorized Immigrants – And Why That Needs to Change

College campuses are full of conversations about politics and policy. But many of these college students don't turn out when it actually matters, on Election Day. Nancy Thomas explores what gets students to vote and how college administrators, faculty members, and students can improve voting rates on their campuses. Check out the report co-authored by Thomas, Election Imperatives Read her interview with The Chronicle of Higher Education, Here's How Colleges Can Get More Involved in Elections -- and Not Just the Midterms Visit the website for the Institute for Democracy & Higher Education at Tufts University

Casting a ballot seems as American as apple pie. But in Florida, one in ten people have had their voting rights taken away because of a criminal conviction. Professor Ciara Torres-Spelliscy dives into the history of Florida's voting system, how ex-felons get their rights back, and what Florida voters can do to help.

Thirty states have laws legalizing marijuana in some form, and come November four more states may join their ranks through ballot initiatives. But these new laws often do little to help people who have past marijuana convictions. Professor Douglas Berman describes this disconnect and what states and the federal government can do to address it. For more on this topic: Read Berman's SSN Brief, How States Can Ensure That Today's Marijuana Reforms Also Ameliorate Harms Inflicted on Past Offenders Check out his essay on the topic, Leveraging Marijuana Reform to Enhance Expungement Practices

In face of ongoing threats to its environment, California has taken big steps to protect its nature and wildlife. Professor David Vogel lays out California's history as an environmental leader, how it plans to continue its green streak, and what other states - and the federal government - can learn from California's policy innovation. Read Vogel's SSN Brief, How Environmental Policies Can Promote Economic Growth Check out his book, California Greenin': How the Golden State Became an Environmental Leader Find his LA Times op-ed, The Trump administration wants to end California's role as an environmental innovator and his interview with Bloomberg, Why California Goes Its Own Way on the Environment

The government fights forest fires, protects us from foreign invasion, helps people go to college, and so much more. But Americans' opinions of the government are increasingly negative. Professor Suzanne Mettler dives into why people don't believe the government benefits them, even when it does, and how to bridge this disconnect between the government and the American people. For More on this Topic: Read Mettler's new book, The Government-Citizen Disconnect Check out her OpEd in the New York Times and her interview on Vox Listen to her previous No Jargon episode, Hidden Tax Benefits

It's back to school season and for many children, teachers, and parents across the country school looks very similar. That's because in 2009, the Common Core was introduced, standardizing what K-12 students should know, and be tested on. Professor Nicholas Tampio describes what that means for public education and imagines a different way forward for America's schools. For More on this Topic: Read Tampio's opinion pieces in Aeon and HuffPost Check out his book, Common Core: National Education Standards and the Threat to Democracy Find Jesse H. Rhodes' article on education politics in Perspectives on Politics (paywall)

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people in America. And black youth in particular face increasing suicide rates and challenges in accessing mental health services. Scholar and advocate Kimya Dennis dives into the background behind these suicide statistics, what prevents black youth from getting help, and how mental health providers can address this disconnect. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) any time of day. For More on this Topic: Read Dennis's SSN briefs, Debunking Myths about Mental Illness Among Blacks and The Complexities of Black Youth Suicide Check out her piece for The Conversation, Suicide Isn't Just a White People Thing

An unexpected surgery can cost a worker thousands in medical bills. And in states without paid family and medical leave, they also have to go without a paycheck while recovering. Professors Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews explain why paid family and medical leave is important to small businesses, workers, and their families, and how Massachusetts tackled this policy problem with help from their research. Read Clayton-Matthews and Albelda's SSN brief, Why Massachusetts Can Afford to Require Paid Family and Medical Leave for All Workers Check out this Boston Globe article about the Massachusetts policy