Kirsten Baesler
Coverage of Kirsten Baesler in the Nexus archive.
- Trump Wanted To Cut Ed Department Into Irrelevancy. New Report Shows How He Did It
A report reveals the Trump Administration significantly reduced the U.S. Department of Education's staff by 40% and terminated $2 billion in contracts and grants. The Office of English Language Acquisition, which supports immigrant students, was nearly eliminated, raising concerns about the department's ability to fulfill its obligations.
- Education Department officials deny doing an end run around Congress
Education Department officials denied bypassing Congress by transferring key functions to other agencies, stating these changes aim to improve services for students, including those with disabilities, and strengthen civil rights protections. Critics, including advocacy groups and lawmakers, have raised concerns about the lack of congressional approval and specific details on how the reorganization will benefit education.
- Long-Term NAEP Shows Growth for 9-Year-Olds, More Disappointment for Teens
New NAEP data show 9-year-olds improved in math and reading since 2022, driven by struggling students, while 13-year-olds showed no progress, with scores stagnating or declining. The pandemic's impact on middle schoolers is linked to prolonged educational disruptions, compounding existing challenges in adolescent learning.