How We Operate

Transparency. Integrity. Accountability.

The TRACE Initiative was created to expose ideological bias, antisemitism, and extremist influence in American K–12 education. Our signature tools—RIM™ (Radical Influence Measure), RIME™ (Radical Influence Measure for Educators), and individualized TRACE Report Cards—are grounded in public documentation, verifiable content, and fair, consistent evaluation practices.

What We Use

All TRACE profiles are based exclusively on lawfully obtained, publicly available information, including:

  • Public social media content

  • Classroom materials and curriculum

  • Public speeches, interviews, and event footage

  • Government and school district websites

  • FOIA disclosures and public records

  • News coverage and academic publications

We do not use hacked data, sealed records, or non-consensual private communications, unless their use meets strict legal and ethical thresholds.

Verification Standards

Every profile and scorecard is built using a structured, multi-layered verification process, which includes:

  • Documentation through screenshots, archival links, and citations

  • Timestamp and source validation

  • Context review to prevent misrepresentation

  • Cross-referencing when possible to confirm key claims

Our goal is factual integrity, not sensationalism.

Risk Assessment Briefings

Before any score is assigned, TRACE compiles a Risk Assessment Briefing—a documented profile that includes all relevant open-source evidence related to an individual’s public behavior, affiliations, statements, and conduct.

These briefings are developed using open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods by trained researchers and analysts. Each briefing typically includes:

  • Verifiable examples of online activity (social media, video, commentary)

  • Public-facing classroom materials or curricula (where applicable)

  • Documentation of ideological or extremist affiliations

  • Screenshots, citations, and source validation

  • Chronological pattern analysis where relevant

Briefings serve as the factual foundation for every RIM™, RIME™, or Report Card evaluation. Once a briefing is complete, the collected data is reviewed using a rubric-based scoring system, ensuring consistency across cases. In educator cases, TRACE may consult with licensed mental health professionals and child development experts to assess potential psychological or safety risks to students.

Scoring and Report Cards

TRACE uses a structured scoring system that evaluates conduct, affiliations, and public content against clearly defined criteria. Our tools include:

  • RIM™: Measures the level of ideological influence embedded in curriculum, activism, or public discourse

  • RIME™: Assesses educator behavior, classroom content, and professional risk indicators

  • Report Cards: Summarize findings in a clear, accessible format for parents, school boards, and policymakers

Scores reflect documented patterns of behavior, not identity, religious affiliation, or protected speech alone.

Right to Respond

TRACE invites any individual featured in a profile to:

  • Submit factual corrections

  • Provide context or clarification

  • Share a statement for publication alongside their profile

We take accuracy seriously and welcome input to ensure all profiles are fair and transparent.

Use of Names and Images

TRACE uses only publicly available names, images, and content. This includes:

  • Public-facing professional names

  • Publicly posted or press-published photographs

  • Screenshots or recordings of public behavior, conduct, or activism

We do not publish private addresses, phone numbers, or personal information unrelated to an individual’s public role or influence.

Legal and Ethical Standards

All TRACE content is protected under the First Amendment and adheres to fair use standards (17 U.S.C. § 107). Our purpose is non-commercial, educational, and focused on public interest accountability.

Private messages, emails, or other restricted communications are included only when:

  • They were lawfully obtained

  • The sender had no reasonable expectation of privacy

  • The content is demonstrably newsworthy and directly relevant to public accountability

Even in such cases, TRACE redacts sensitive information and conducts legal review prior to publication.