Education Department

Almost half of Hawaiʻi schools currently have unreliable fire alarms. Although the education department has made significant progress repairing these systems, concerns persist regarding aging infrastructure and outdated parts.

An expert at the Education Department corrected a legal filing because an error in the National Student Loan Data Service reported some student-loan borrowers' income incorrectly as $0. This mistake is tied to an ongoing case where borrowers are attempting to restore benefits like REPAYE and pause involuntary transfers off the SAVE plan. Outside of this lawsuit, borrowers have also reported various glitches with their payments since July 1.

Currently, 42% of colleges have not fully submitted required Student Outcomes Data. The Education Department is granting one last chance to more than 1,900 colleges that are missing Financial Value Transparency data. Failure to comply with this reporting requirement could result in consequences.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ed Markey introduced legislation aimed at preventing Social Security garnishment for defaulted student-loan borrowers and those with disabilities. The proposed bill would prohibit the Treasury from seizing payments, providing protection against forced collections. This legislative action comes amidst record high student-loan defaults and concerns over debt relief after the elimination of SAVE.

The Trump administration is increasing efforts to give states more control over federal education money by offering flexible spending options. Six states received waivers allowing them to consolidate over $109 million in funding and bypass requirements for local agencies. Additionally, 22 states have been granted Education Flexibility Partnership (Ed-Flex) authority, which waives certain federal educational requirements.

Preliminary data revealed that reading scores in New York City last school year sank sharply, with third graders showing a nearly 14 percentage point decline. Overall proficiency for students in grades 3-8 dropped by 6 percentage points. The steep drops are occurring as city officials implement mandated curriculums aligned with the science of reading.

The Trump administration is granting states greater flexibility in utilizing federal education funding by issuing waivers and Education Flexibility Partnership (Ed-Flex) authority. Six states consolidated over $109 million through Returning Education to the States waivers, allowing flexible use of funds for initiatives like literacy or math improvement. Additionally, 22 states received Ed-Flex authority, enabling them to waive certain federal educational requirements.

The Trump administration is increasing efforts to grant states more control over federal education money by implementing waivers for funding consolidation. Six states received waivers allowing them to consolidate over $109 million while bypassing certain requirements, and additionally, 22 states received Education Flexibility Partnership (Ed-Flex) authority to waive various federal educational mandates.

An appeals court ruled that the Education Department must forgive over 170,000 borrowers misled by for-profit schools, clearing $23 billion in debt relief and expanding eligibility to 450,000 borrowers. Federal student loan borrowers enrolled in automatic payments will receive a 1% interest rate reduction starting July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028.

Student-loan borrowers mistakenly received past-due notices from servicer MOHELA, which the Education Department confirmed was an error. Affected borrowers will receive correction emails, and the issue occurs amid President Donald Trump's student-loan repayment overhaul. Administrative errors, including incorrect payment notices for 6,000 borrowers, have raised concerns about billing accuracy and servicer support.

The Education Department and some policy experts believe loan limits are reducing college costs, while others remain skeptical. The debate centers on whether these limits effectively address rising educational expenses.

The Senate Committee approved a measure to block an attempt to eliminate the Education Department. The vote marked the strongest congressional opposition to the administration’s effort.

The Education Department has rescinded a 1979 policy that allowed statistical disparities to be used as evidence of discrimination in school civil rights investigations. The change takes effect immediately, removing guidance that permitted the Office for Civil Rights to consider data showing disproportionate student outcomes.

The Education Department has rescinded a rule that allowed considering school policies with disproportionate impacts on students as discriminatory unless intentional, affecting civil rights enforcement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The change, effective immediately without public comment, removes a key tool for addressing racial disparities in school discipline, particularly impacting Black students, and faces criticism from civil rights groups.

The Education Department has rescinded a decades-old standard for civil rights enforcement, which previously allowed consideration of school policies that disproportionately harm one group of students as discriminatory unless the discrimination was intentional.

Education experts and advocates criticized recent federal student loan changes under the GOP’s tax and spending cut law, warning they will push borrowers to private lenders and disrupt higher education. Rep. Bobby Scott highlighted concerns over Treasury Department taking over loan collections and reduced federal borrowing limits for graduate students.

Rep. Bobby Scott and education advocates criticized recent federal student loan changes linked to the GOP's tax and spending law, arguing they shift responsibilities to private lenders and disrupt higher education access. The Education Department's transfer of student aid functions to the Treasury Department and new loan regulations, including graduate borrowing limits, were highlighted as problematic for borrowers, particularly low-income and minority students.

Education experts and advocates criticized recent federal student loan changes under the GOP’s tax and spending law, arguing they shift borrowers to private lenders and disrupt higher education access. Rep. Bobby Scott highlighted concerns over the Education Department’s restructuring, including transferring loan collection to the Treasury Department and implementing new loan limits and repayment systems.

Education experts and advocates criticized recent federal student loan changes, warning they push borrowers to private lenders and disrupt higher education plans. Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia highlighted the transfer of student aid functions to the Treasury Department and regulations from the GOP’s tax and spending law as compounding issues for borrowers.

Student loan defaults surged by 4.2 million from April 2025 to March 2026, with borrowers facing financial crises after pandemic-era payment pauses ended. Ashley Dreahn, a borrower who filed bankruptcy, saw her discharged loans reinstate with interest, reflecting broader struggles as the Education Department phases out affordable repayment plans and potential wage garnishments loom.

Student loan defaults surged by 4.2 million from April 2025 to March 2026, with borrowers facing financial crises after pandemic-era payment freezes ended and affordable repayment options were dismantled. Ashley Dreahn, a borrower who had her loans discharged in bankruptcy, saw her debt resurface with interest, highlighting the challenges of wage garnishments and credit damage.

Student-loan borrowers report difficulties obtaining clear information from loan servicers, including long hold times, disconnected calls, and conflicting payment details. The Education Department claims it monitors servicer performance, but borrowers like Jessica Salmi, Jason Marques, and Robin Binkley describe struggles to navigate repayment plans and payment amounts.

New York City officials urged summer school programs to limit outdoor activities due to wildfire smoke, impacting the Summer Rising program for 110,000 students. A Brooklyn principal reported reduced outdoor time for recess and sports, with indoor alternatives like card games, while Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned of health risks from heat and smoke.

New York City officials limited outdoor activities for the Summer Rising summer school program due to wildfire smoke, with the Education Department urging schools to reschedule outdoor trips. The smoke and heat have reduced students' outdoor time, leading to indoor activities and concerns about health risks, particularly for those with asthma.

The Education Department will relocate from its headquarters to facilitate the redevelopment of unused federal real estate into housing and increase tax revenue. The move is supported to enable this conversion regardless of the Energy Department's location.

The Justice Department's top civil rights official stated that parental rights and student gender transitions will be priorities under FERPA enforcement, with the department planning to increase litigation. The Trump administration's interpretation of FERPA, which claims policies limiting parental access to gender identity information violate the law, is being reinforced through new interagency agreements with the Education Department.

New York City's specialized high schools, which rely on the SHSAT for admissions, offered disproportionately few seats to Black students, with only 3.5% of total offers going to them despite comprising 19.3% of the city's student population. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has pledged to review the admissions results to address racial and economic inequities.

Lawsuits are challenging President Donald Trump's student-loan repayment changes, including a narrowed definition of professional degrees and restrictions on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Key provisions took effect on July 1, but courts have blocked others, citing potential harm to borrowers and healthcare workers. The Education Department faces legal battles over borrowing caps and eligibility limits.

New York City schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels has asked principals to pause educational software purchases until final AI guidance is released later this summer. The freeze follows criticism of initial AI guidelines and a push for a moratorium by parents, educators, and over half of City Council members. Officials delayed the revised guidance and face challenges tracking AI software usage across schools.

Former leaders of the Office of Special Education Programs in the Trump and George W. Bush administrations oppose moving special education oversight to the Department of Health and Human Services, arguing it would create a fragmented system and not improve services for children with disabilities. They warn that dismantling the Education Department risks confusing guidance and inconsistent support for families and educators.

The Education Department's Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC), which tracks student treatment in U.S. schools, is six months overdue under the Trump administration. Advocates express concern as the Trump administration plans to move the Office for Civil Rights (which oversees CRDC) from the Education Department to the Department of Justice, alongside policies targeting diversity initiatives and transgender student athletes.

The Education Department has delayed releasing civil rights data about schools by six months under Trump. The data covers issues like bullying, harassment, and disability services, but the latest information has not been made public.

The Education Department has delayed releasing the latest civil rights data on bullying, harassment, and disability services in schools for six months under Trump. This data is typically used to hold schools accountable for compliance with civil rights protections.

Federal student loan changes effective July 1 include the end of the Biden-era SAVE plan, new graduate loan limits under Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' and potential payment increases for borrowers. Around 9 million Americans are in default, and borrowers in the SAVE plan must switch repayment plans within 90 days of notification.

The Trump administration announced potential enforcement action against Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools for policies preventing staff from notifying parents of a transgender student's gender identity, citing violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The Education Department accused the district of obstructing parents' access to education records and stated it would pursue measures including withholding federal funding.

Two Title IX investigations in Colorado under the Trump administration highlight a shift in enforcement practices, including reduced in-depth interviews and untested interpretations of policies. Denver Public Schools faced a probe over all-gender bathrooms, while Jeffco Public Schools was threatened with losing federal funds over boys' names on girls' sports rosters, which the district attributed to non-athletes.

The Trump administration confirmed that student-loan borrowers on the SAVE repayment plan will not need to transition to a new plan until at least September 29, with most receiving more time due to a phased rollout. This follows the elimination of the SAVE plan, a Biden-era initiative, and comes amid a lawsuit challenging the transition to more expensive repayment options.

The Trump administration is attempting to use a civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination to roll back protections for transgender students. The article highlights the administration's strategy to reinterpret existing laws to limit these protections.

A federal judge blocked part of a Trump administration plan to limit federal student loans for graduate programs in nursing, physical therapy, public health, and other fields. The ruling paused new loan caps of $100,000 for 'graduate' programs and $200,000 for 'professional' degrees, which excluded nursing and related fields. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners and other groups argued the policy would force students to take private loans or abandon education.

A federal judge blocked part of a Trump administration plan to limit graduate student loan amounts for fields like nursing and public health. The ruling paused updated definitions of 'professional degree' that excluded certain groups from higher loan caps, which were set to take effect in July. The Education Department is reviewing the decision, and another lawsuit challenging the loan caps remains pending.