All articles tagged with #education policy
The Education Department announced two interagency agreements with the State Department and HHS to streamline federal education activities, enhance reporting under Section 117 on foreign gifts, and bolster school safety and family engagement as part of returning education governance to the states, building on prior partnerships.
Proposed caps from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would limit graduate loan borrowing to $100,000 and professional-degree borrowing to $200,000, a change Education Department officials say would curb tuition growth but critics warn it favors established medical schools over nontraditional programs like naturopathic, herbal, and other alternative therapies, potentially worsening healthcare workforce shortages; lawmakers and trade groups across health fields are lobbying to adjust the rules, while Kennedy’s health agenda faces opposition from conventional medical groups and some nursing advocates.
The Florida Senate passed the Teddy Bridgewater Act, which would allow high-school coaches to spend up to $15,000 of their own money on student-athletes for food, transportation, and recovery services; it still must clear the House and receive Gov. DeSantis's signature. Critics warn about accountability and booster-style influence; Bridgewater’s coaching history provides context for the proposal.
A UK study of nearly 5,000 youths found that higher academic pressure at age 15 predicts more depression and self-harm into the mid-20s, with each extra point of pressure raising the risk of depression by 25% and self-harm by 8% by age 16, and increasing the likelihood of ever attempting suicide by 16% by age 24; researchers urge schools to reduce high-stakes testing and implement whole-school, social-emotional learning strategies, while families are encouraged to support healthy routines and limit pressure.
The Trump administration dropped its appeal of a court ruling blocking its plan to withhold federal education funds from schools that refused to sign anti-DEI attestations, after a Maryland judge found the move procedurally faulty and potentially violative of free speech. The suit, brought by the AFT, the American Sociological Association, and a Eugene, Oregon school district, had halted the funding threat, but officials say there are other ways the administration may continue to push back on DEI programs.
California's 2026-27 budget, Newsom's final as governor, includes a surprise $22 billion boost for TK-12 and community colleges, lifting Prop 98 per-student funding to a record $20,427 and funding one-time and ongoing programs—such as sustaining community schools, teacher residencies, reading screenings, and expanded college and career pathways—while awaiting May revisions and legislative negotiations amid potential federal cuts.
The Texas American Federation of Teachers is suing the Texas education agency, claiming that its investigation and reporting policy on teachers' social media posts about Charlie Kirk violate free speech rights, as the agency's actions have led to disciplinary measures based solely on speech, without clear impact on school operations.
The article emphasizes the importance of teaching AI and computing skills in schools to prevent a social divide, as AI becomes increasingly integrated into decision-making processes. Experts warn that understanding AI is crucial for empowerment and critical evaluation, and that neglecting this education could leave some children disempowered in a future dominated by automated systems.
North Carolina sued the Trump administration over nearly $50 million in federal grants cut from programs supporting rural and low-income schools, arguing the cuts were unlawful and could lead to program closures and layoffs, with the state claiming the funding was vital during emergencies like hurricanes.
An Alabama lawmaker proposes a bill to establish signing days for military enlistment and trade schools in public high schools, aiming to boost recruitment and workforce development by aligning these events with existing athletic signing days. The bill would require schools to provide accommodations for these signing ceremonies, and some schools already practice similar celebrations. The legislation has previously passed the House and is expected to face little opposition.
The Trump administration will begin garnishing the wages of defaulted student loan borrowers starting in January, affecting around 1,000 people initially, with the number expected to rise. The government can seize up to 15% of a borrower's after-tax income, leaving them with at least $217.50 weekly, as part of its efforts to recover federal debts amid a rising default rate among over 42 million student loan holders with more than $1.6 trillion in debt.
The U.S. Department of Education, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, is reviewing and potentially ending federal programs serving Native Hawaiians and other minority groups, citing constitutional concerns about race-based funding, which could threaten over $12 million in funding for Hawaii's Native Hawaiian initiatives. This move has been condemned by Hawaii's congressional delegation as an attack on minority-serving institutions.
The UK Supreme Court ruled that Christian religious education in Northern Ireland schools is unlawful due to its lack of objective, critical, and pluralistic framework, sparking responses from religious leaders who emphasize Christianity's foundational role in Western society and call for a balanced approach to religious education. The ruling affects non-Catholic schools' curricula but not Catholic schools, prompting discussions on religious values and education reform.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court permanently invalidated the state's controversial social studies standards due to violations of open meeting laws during their approval process, including inadequate notice and undisclosed content changes, leading to the standards being unenforceable and prompting a rewrite by the new state superintendent.
Cities and unions are suing the Trump administration over a new rule that could deny loan forgiveness to public workers based on their employer's activities, with concerns it may be used to target organizations or jurisdictions with policies opposing the administration's views. The rule defines 'substantial illegal purpose' broadly, potentially affecting workers in organizations involved in lawful activities related to immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, or racial justice, and raises questions about the scope of the Department of Education's authority. Critics argue the rule contradicts Congress's original intent for PSLF and could lead to staffing crises in public service sectors.