U.S. Department of Education

A review found that both Iowa and Virginia established fourth grade reading standards performing below basic on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. While this discrepancy sparked public action in Virginia, Governor Kim Reynolds has remained silent on the matter in Iowa, where data shows a significant gap between high state proficiency rates and low NAEP scores for students.

U.S. Senate Democrats criticized the Department of Education's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, arguing these moves undermine expertise and harm students with disabilities. The transfers, part of efforts to dismantle the Education Department, would shift responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Justice Department.

The article discusses the transfer of responsibilities for administering the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and civil rights enforcement from the U.S. Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, arguing these moves risk weakening protections for students with disabilities. A Senate committee recently voted to oppose some of these transfers, highlighting concerns about delays in addressing educational rights violations.

Jewish families in the U.S. are increasingly concerned about antisemitic threats and violence in schools, with New York City reporting an 8.5% rise in antisemitic hate crimes in 2026. Nationally, Jews account for 16% of reported hate crimes despite being 2% of the population, and antisemitic incidents in K-12 schools have surged 434% since 2020. The article calls for systemic action, including stricter enforcement of online antisemitism and education to combat hate.

U.S. Senate Democrats criticized the Department of Education's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, a move seen as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the department. Critics argued the Health and Human Services and Justice Departments lack the expertise to handle these responsibilities, which include managing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and investigating student discrimination complaints.

The Cabarrus County Board of Education is being sued by America First Legal over transgender students' access to bathrooms and locker rooms at Cox Mill High School, alleging Title IX violations. The lawsuit follows a U.S. Department of Education investigation into the district.

President Trump's attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education through interagency agreements face bipartisan opposition in the Senate. A 13-9 Senate education committee vote advanced legislation to reverse agreements transferring core functions to other departments, though Trump lacks the votes to abolish the agency outright.

A bipartisan U.S. Senate committee advanced a bill to block the Department of Education from transferring programs via interagency agreements, targeting special education and other key areas. The 13-9 vote included support from Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine and Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, who opposed moving responsibilities like special education to the Department of Health and Human Services.

A Senate committee passed legislation to reverse efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, maintaining oversight of K-12 education, special education, and postsecondary programs within the department. The bill faced bipartisan support but drew criticism from some Republicans who argue the department’s federal role is excessive, while the Trump administration defended its restructuring plans as effective.

The Senate education committee approved a bipartisan bill to block the Trump administration's plan to transfer key education offices to other federal agencies. The legislation, S. 5046, prevents the Education Department from moving the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, along with other major education offices, to other departments. The bill aims to maintain federal oversight of critical education programs and funding.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into the Minnesota Department of Education regarding the use of 'MyGenderDolls' in schools, following a parental complaint. The dolls, featuring interchangeable genitalia and gender-neutral attributes, are expected to be used with students as young as 4 years old this fall.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating the Minnesota Department of Education over claims that transgender dolls from a University of Minnesota program are being used in schools. The program, MyGender Dolls, is described as a therapeutic tool for gender-diverse children by trained professionals, with the university stating it will not be in public schools this year. The federal investigation was prompted by a complaint from the conservative nonprofit Defending Education and a Fox News report.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools and the Bethel School District over allegations of a teacher requiring same-sex student kissing and a Pride Month exhibit displaying testosterone vials. The probes assess potential violations of a federal law allowing parents to opt out of evaluations on sex-related topics. Both districts stated they took actions to address the incidents, including removing the vials and firing the teacher.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools and Bethel School District for alleged violations of federal laws protecting parental rights, including claims of a teacher requiring same-sex student kissing and displaying testosterone vials during an LGBTQ Pride Month exhibit. Both districts stated they have taken disciplinary actions and removed the contested materials.

Jeffco Public Schools is suing the Trump administration to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from withholding $50 million in federal funding, alleging the Education Department violated the Administrative Procedure Act by changing Title IX interpretations without proper rule-making. The dispute centers on policies related to transgender students' sports participation and field trip accommodations, with the district claiming the department's demands conflict with state anti-discrimination laws and the First Amendment.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools over a teacher accused of making students kiss during a French class skit. The district fired the teacher, and the investigation will examine compliance with Title IX, parent opt-out requests, and notification about the assignment.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools and the Bethel School District over allegations involving a kissing exercise and a Pride month exhibit with testosterone vials. The probes aim to determine if these districts violated a federal law allowing parents to opt out of school evaluations on sex-related topics.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools and the Bethel School District over allegations involving a kissing exercise and a Pride month exhibit with testosterone vials. The probe focuses on potential violations of a federal law allowing parents to opt out of school evaluations on sex-related topics. Both districts stated they will cooperate with the investigation.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Denver Public Schools and the Bethel School District over allegations involving a kissing exercise and testosterone vials in school activities. The investigation examines potential violations of a federal law allowing parental opt-out from evaluations on sex behavior. Both districts stated they will cooperate, with Bethel confirming unauthorized vials were removed and Denver finalizing a response.

A federal judge blocked the U.S. Department of Education from terminating school mental health grants, citing unlawful reasons tied to Trump administration priorities. The judge ruled the department's plan to re-review grants violated regulations and the Administrative Procedure Act.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened a case against Ann Arbor Public Schools, alleging FERPA violations due to policies requiring staff to conceal transgender students' status from parents and maintain separate records for gender identity. The department has given the district until August 10 to respond and justify its policies to avoid potential enforcement actions, including loss of federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Education alleges Ann Arbor Public Schools violated FERPA by requiring staff to conceal transgender students' status from parents and by maintaining separate records for gender identity. The district has until August 10 to respond before potential enforcement actions, including loss of federal funding.

Howard University unenrolled hundreds of students over billing issues, highlighting the need for consistent communication with financial aid offices. Tisa Silver Canady, founder of the Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness, advises students and families to contact financial aid offices immediately if payment issues arise and to proactively understand financial aid processes.

The U.S. Department of Education seeks court permission to terminate mental health grants, arguing they fall under separate regulatory authority, while a 16-state coalition claims the department is violating a court order by using new priorities without proper rulemaking. A federal judge previously blocked the department from discontinuing grants due to procedural failures and political bias against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

Dartmouth College's Geisel School of Medicine faces a federal investigation over alleged racial discrimination in admissions, prompting pushback from students who argue the probe diverts resources from STEM programs. The U.S. Department of Education launched the investigation following an executive order, while the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling barred race-based admissions considerations. Students and faculty members expressed skepticism about the investigation's purpose and impact.

The U.S. Department of Education announced regulatory changes that prohibit using demographic data like discipline rates or school admissions to investigate racial discrimination in schools. Critics argue this removes a key tool for identifying systemic bias, while the Trump administration claims prior data use was improper. The change aligns with broader efforts to eliminate disparate impact regulations.

The U.S. Education Department will no longer enforce disparate impact rules for assessing school discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, requiring intentional discrimination to be considered unlawful. The change, effective immediately without public comment, has drawn criticism from civil rights groups who argue it weakens protections against systemic racial disparities in school discipline.

The U.S. Department of Education has rescinded a rule that allowed consideration of school policies disproportionately harming students based on race or national origin unless the discrimination was intentional. This change affects Title VI of the Civil Rights Act enforcement, particularly school discipline practices where Black students are more likely to face punitive measures. Civil rights groups criticized the move, arguing it weakens protections against systemic discrimination.

Vermont is not complying with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), risking up to $2.4 million annually in funding. The state has initiated reforms to address compliance issues, including a strategic plan and enhanced oversight of school districts.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials from Republican and Democratic administrations criticize President Donald Trump's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The transfers would shift responsibilities of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, raising concerns about accountability for students with disabilities.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials criticized President Trump's plan to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, arguing it could harm students with disabilities. The proposed moves include shifting responsibilities to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, drawing opposition from advocates and educators.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) would be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice, respectively, as part of a broader plan to reduce the Education Department's role.

Former U.S. Education Department officials from both parties criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies. The move, part of a broader plan to dismantle the Education Department, would shift responsibilities to HHS and the Justice Department, drawing concerns about accountability for students with disabilities.

Former U.S. Department of Education officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations criticized efforts to transfer special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Justice. The move, part of a broader plan to dismantle the Education Department, has drawn opposition from advocates and educators who warn it could undermine disability rights and student protections.

Princess Moss, incoming president of the National Education Association (NEA), aims to shift union organizing to local affiliates. She replaces Becky Pringle and faces challenges like federal school choice programs and DEI restrictions. The NEA has 2.8 million members, mostly educators, with recent membership growth but still below pre-pandemic levels.

Virginia schools will have greater flexibility in spending federal Title program funds under the Ed-Flex program, allowing local control over administrative decisions. The change aims to reduce paperwork and improve student learning but has sparked debate over potential impacts on underserved students.

Keith Sonderling, acting U.S. secretary of Labor, defended the agency's role in transferring programs from the Education Department as part of the Trump administration's plan to dismantle it. Senate Democrats criticized the move, arguing it is illogical for the Labor Department to oversee education programs, while Sonderling highlighted his experience and the interagency agreements as part of the process.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over withheld federal grants for school-based mental health services. The Department of Education is attempting to end the grants, which were established by the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, by citing a different administrative law provision after a prior court ruling forced the release of some funds.

Keith Sonderling, acting U.S. secretary of Labor, defended the agency's role in transferring programs from the Education Department as part of the Trump administration's plan to dismantle it. Senate Democrats questioned the decision, with Patty Murray criticizing the Labor Department's involvement in managing education programs. Sonderling faces a Senate vote on his nomination for Labor secretary.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling defended the Department of Labor's role in transferring programs from the Education Department as part of the Trump administration's plan to dismantle it. Senate Democrats criticized the move, arguing it is illogical for an agency focused on wage earners to oversee education programs for children.