In today’s inclusive classrooms, where students with and without disabilities learn alongside one another, the partnership between special and general education teachers is more important than ever. Yet, too often, this collaboration stops at planning: brief meetings to align lesson plans, modify or accommodate learning tasks, and set goals. While useful, this approach isn’t enough […]
Posted inDepartment of Education
U.S. Department of Education offers employees $25K buyout amid looming layoffs
According to a department-wide email obtained by The Educator’s Room, the Education Department is offering most of its employees a buyout of up to $25,000 to voluntarily resign or retire ahead of what officials describe as a “very significant” workforce reduction. In a memo sent Friday afternoon, Jacqueline Clay, the Department’s Chief Human Capital Officer, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Educators sue Trump administration over civil rights law weaponizing DEI in schools
A coalition of educators and sociologists has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent policy that threatens to withhold federal funding from schools and universities that do not comply with new guidelines by February 28. The lawsuit, brought by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT-Maryland, and the American Sociological Association, […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
AFT Urges Major Asset Managers to Review Tesla Investments Amid Stock Decline
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President, Randi Weingarten is calling on the nation’s largest asset management firms to reassess their investments in Tesla as the company faces a steep decline in value and increased financial instability. In a letter sent today to the CEOs of BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street, T. Rowe Price, Fidelity, and […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
House Narrowly Passes Budget Resolution with Major Medicaid Cuts
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget resolution on Tuesday evening that could significantly impact Medicaid-funded school services. The resolution narrowly passed with a 217-215 vote, with only one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, joining all House Democrats in opposition. The Republican-led proposal includes $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $230 billion […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching 102: Part 2 of 2: Understanding School Personnel, A Teacher’s Guide
In Part 1, we took a look at the staff on our campuses that do not have a teaching credential. In Part 2, we’ll introduce you to the various folks outside our school classrooms that support us with pegagogy and practice. As with classified or non-credentialed staff, it’s important to understand the expertise these folks […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
U.S. Department of Education Targets Maine Over Transgender Athlete Policy
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched a directed investigation into the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) following allegations that the state continues to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports and denies female athletes access to female-only facilities. The investigation extends to Maine School Administrative District #51 (MSAD […]
Posted inSpecial Education
Legal Battle Over 504 Protections Continues as States Attempt to Clarify Intent
Disability advocates are raising alarms as a lawsuit brought by Texas and 16 other states challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This key federal law protects people with disabilities from discrimination in education, health care, housing, and other areas. The legal action, Texas v. Becerra, has sparked widespread concern over its potential implications, including […]