Posted inCurrent Events in Education

New Jersey Governor signs law banning book bans; cites intellectual freedom

PRINCETON, N.J. — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the Freedom to Read Act into law on Monday, reinforcing New Jersey’s stance against book bans and ensuring access to diverse and age-appropriate materials in schools and public libraries. The bill signing at Princeton Public Library brought together advocates, educators, and legislative sponsors committed to protecting intellectual […]

Posted inLiteracy

Lawsuit Claims Popular Literacy Programs Fail Students with Anti-Phonics Approach

Boston, MA – In a landmark lawsuit filed on December 4, 2024, a group of parents and students filed a lawsuit this week in Suffolk County Superior Court against several prominent creators and publishers of early literacy curricula. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants engaged in deceptive marketing and sold flawed products that omitted critical […]

Posted inInstruction & Curriculum

PBS KIDS Premieres “Carl the Collector,” Its First Show Featuring Autistic Central Characters

PBS KIDS has introduced a groundbreaking new animated series, Carl the Collector, which debuted on November 14, 2024. Announced earlier this year at the Television Critics Association Press Tour, the 2D series is tailored for children aged 4 to 8 and marks the network’s first show to feature autistic central characters. Created by New York […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education

MIT Expands Financial Aid, Waives Tuition for Families Earning Under $200,000 Starting Fall 2025

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced a landmark expansion of its financial aid program, starting in the fall of 2025, eliminating tuition for students from families earning less than $200,000 annually. Families earning under $100,000 will receive even more support: tuition, housing, dining, and other fees will be fully covered, and students will receive […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education

Senator Mike Rounds Introduces Bill to Abolish Department of Education

Washington, D.C. – Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) has introduced legislation to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, marking a significant move in the ongoing debate over federal involvement in education policy. Filed on November 21, 2024, S.5384 proposes eliminating the Department of Education and redistributing its functions to state and local governments, as well as […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education

Texas State Board of Education Looks to Adopt Controversial Curriculum Emphasizing Biblical Teachings

On Nov. 22, 2024, the State Board of Education (SBOE) voted 8-7 to adopt Bluebonnet Learning, the state’s controversial, Bible-infused elementary school reading curriculum.  This came from a preliminary vote earlier in the week that indicated support for Bluebonnet Learning. This state-authored elementary school curriculum has drawn scrutiny for its prominent inclusion of biblical teachings. […]

Posted inCurrent Events in Education

Trump Taps Linda McMahon, Co-Founder of WWE as Education Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly selected Linda McMahon as the next U.S. Secretary of Education, a move that could significantly shift the nation’s education policy. During his campaign, Trump has signaled plans to eliminate the Department of Education entirely, making McMahon potentially its last leader. “For the past four years, as the Chair of the […]

Posted inInstruction & Curriculum

U.S. Department of Education Issues Guidance on Preventing Discriminatory Use of AI in Schools

Last week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a new resource, Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Artificial Intelligence, aimed at helping schools understand how AI technologies can enhance educational opportunities and contribute to discrimination if improperly designed or implemented. The guidance responds to Executive Order 14110, which calls for the […]