Problems for teacher pensions loom

+ what it's like to have body dysmorphia US Edition - Today's top story: Teacher pensions are becoming a bigger share of educational costs [View in browser]( US Edition | 9 March 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( When it comes to pensions for retired public school teachers, the money to cover their monthly payments is there. But when it comes to financing the pensions of current schoolteachers, states face a future where they’ll have to scrape and scrounge to meet their obligations. For this reason, writes Wayne State University education policy expert Michael Addonizio, there is [already less money to go around for educational programming](. States have important decisions to make about how to come up with a more sustainable system that doesn’t adversely affect what they can do for students, Addonizio maintains. Also today: - [Body dysmorphic disorder is misunderstood – and more common than you’d think]( - [When it comes to logging, the Biden administration’s words don’t match its actions]( - [Nonprofits led by nonwhites more likely to face funding shortfalls]( Jamaal Abdul-Alim Education Editor Teacher pensions costs nearly $66 billion in 2020. Jose Luis Pelaez Inc/Getty Images [Teacher pensions are becoming a bigger share of educational costs]( Michael Addonizio, Wayne State University States are struggling to cover pension costs for public school teachers. A education policy expert weighs in on potential solutions. Health + Medicine - [Body dysmorphic disorder is more common than eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, yet few people are aware of its dangers]( Eva Fisher, Colorado State University Global; Fugen Neziroglu, Hofstra University; Jamie Feusner, University of Toronto About a quarter of those with body dysmorphic disorder attempt suicide or struggle with ideas of suicide. Fortunately, medication and therapy have proved highly effective at treating the disorder. Economy + Business - [Nonprofits serving or led by people of color get less funding than similar groups led by white executive directors]( Mirae Kim, George Mason University; Bo Li, Georgia State University A study of more than 200 social services and arts groups points to the severity of structural barriers. Environment + Energy - [The Biden administration has called for protecting mature US forests to slow climate change, but it’s still allowing them to be logged]( Beverly Law, Oregon State University; William Moomaw, Tufts University Protecting old and mature trees is the simplest and least expensive way to pull carbon out of the atmosphere – but proposed logging projects threaten mature stands across the US. - [The high seas are supposed to belong to everyone – a new UN treaty aims to make it law]( Cymie Payne, Rutgers University; Robert Blasiak, Stockholm University A handful of wealthy states have so far monopolised the benefits of exploring the remote ocean. Science + Technology - [Should you pay for Meta’s and Twitter’s verified identity subscriptions? A social media researcher explains how the choice you face affects everyone else]( Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University Twitter and Meta are looking to make money from protecting users’ identities. This raises questions about collective security, people understanding what they’re paying for and who remains vulnerable. Arts + Culture - [The marketing tricks that have kept Barbie’s brand alive for over 60 years]( Sameer Hosany, Royal Holloway University of London A branding expert explains how this iconic but controversial doll has gone from teenage reject to movie star in 64 years. Trending on site - [At a small liberal arts college, Black students learned to become ‘bicultural’ to succeed and get jobs – but stress followed]( - [Imagination makes us human – this unique ability to envision what doesn’t exist has a long evolutionary history]( - [Why Tennessee’s law limiting drag performances likely violates the First Amendment]( Today's graphic [A chart showing how Americans of different racial or ethnic backgrounds were worried or not worried about the future of democracy.]( From the story, [Americans remain hopeful about democracy despite fears of its demise – and are acting on that hope]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? 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